CHICAGO — For the third time in three series during these Stanley Cup playoffs, the Kings will take to the ice for a Game 7 in their opponent’s building Sunday night when they face the Blackhawks at United Center.
After coming away victorious on each of the first two occasions, the Kings are hoping that experience will allow them to do so one more time to get a shot at the Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals and a chance to lift the Cup for a second time in three seasons.
“I just think what it does is take you away from any of the anxiety of [going into a Game 7],” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said of his team’s recent success in do-or-die games. “I don’t even look at it like it’s Game 7. I just look at it that we have to everything we can to beat Chicago, just like we did [Friday in Game 6], just like we did the night before.
“Nobody outside is going to decide how we play, or any of that. We just have to stay focused on what we can control and play the game.”
There’s plenty of reason for Sutter to not be flustered or lacking confidence in his squad after the run the Kings have already made during this year’s playoffs. The Kings not only came back from a 3-0 deficit in the first round to knock off the Sharks, winning Game 7 on the road, but won a second road Game 7 against the Ducks in the second round to earn the right to face the Blackhawks.
“I think most guys on our team treat Game 7s as an opportunity,” said forward Justin Williams, one of three Kings with a perfect 6-0 record in Game 7s in his career. “An opportunity to do something special, an opportunity to prove yourself, an opportunity to advance and get the better of a team that you battled with for six games.
“It’s going to be no different tomorrow. We obviously have a huge bone to pick with them. We’re going to leave it all out there because there’s no more after that.”
The Blackhawks are trying to author a comeback story of their own in this series after falling behind 3-1 and looking as if they would fall short of claiming the right to go for a second straight chance to lift the Cup. But after escaping Game 5 on Wednesday with a 5-4 double-overtime win here before coming back behind Kane’s heroics in Game 6 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the defending champions are one victory away from an improbable turnaround and a shot at defending their title.
“This series deserves a Game 7,” Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said, as Chicago looks to try and win its sixth straight win-or-go-home game since the start of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. “It’s going to be a great finish to a great series.”
It has been a series full of twists and turns. The Blackhawks blew a two-goal lead in Game 5 before tying the game in the third and winning it in double overtime. They then came from behind twice in Game 6, securing the game-tying and game-winning goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
The first six games were a topsy-turvy affair and it’s hard to see Game 7 playing out any differently.
“I think as a team that’s what you look for is big games, defining moments, defining games to get yourself to play for the ultimate prize,” Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell said. “That’s what we’re looking to do as a group.
“I think over the course I’ve been here, we’ve been able to do that, to rise to the challenge at the right times. [We’re] really look forward to the challenge tomorrow.”