The first goal in our countdown of the best goals in Blackhawks history comes from Game 5 of the 2014 Western Conference Quarterfinals. With the game tied 2-2 in overtime of a pivotal Game 5, Jonathan Toews took a pass from Duncan Keith and skated in all alone on a breakaway. The Captain deked Blues goalie Ryan Miller and buried the puck on the backhand to win the game and give the Blackhawks a 3-2 series lead going back home to Chicago.
The goal left the Scottrade Center crowd stunned as what looked like a potential Blues odd-man rush turned into a Hawks goal on the other end. The random moment from this goal was Duncan Keith’s clearing attempt deflecting off the shin pads of either Alexander Steen or Andrew Shaw and going right to the stick of a streaking Toews in the neutral zone. Sometimes you need a little bit of luck to win big games in the playoffs.
This goal holds a lot of significance primarily because of the moment it occurred, a Game 5 on the road in a tied series. It’s also significant because of who it came against, the St. Louis Blues, an arch rival of the Blackhawks for decades. It was the first playoff meeting between the two teams since 2002 (STL sweep), and it was a Hawks dagger in St. Louis that sent the good guys back to Chicago with a chance to close out their rivals in Game 6. Of course, in Game 6 the Hawks went on to win 6-1 behind a five-goal third period to close out the series, eliminating St. Louis in six games after being down 2-0 to start the series.
Goal #24 coming tomorrow…
Chicago Blackhawks History and Memories 