1 of 2. Jun 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (70) chases after the puck between Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) and goalie Corey Crawford during the overtime period in game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Alec Martinez silenced a raucous United Center crowd when he scored the series-deciding goal 5:47 into the first extra session, his shot from the left point hitting Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy and looping past goaltender Corey Crawford.
Bidding to lift a second title in three years, the Kings move on to face the New York Rangers, who beat the Montreal Canadiens in six games to reach their first finals since 1994.
In the match-up between the last two Stanley Cup champions, the Blackhawks rallied from a 3-1 series deficit but were unable to get over the line on home ice as they sought to become the first team to win back-to-back NHL titles since the Detroit Red Wings in 1998.
The never-say-die Kings came from behind three times in Sunday's contest to emphasize the battling qualities of a team that has emerged victorious in three consecutive Game Seven deciders in this season's playoffs.
Marian Gaborik scored his NHL-leading 12th goal of this postseason with 7:17 left in the third period to tie the score at 4-4 and force overtime after Jeff Carter, Justin Williams and Tyler Toffoli had also tallied for the Kings.
Patrick Sharp scored twice for the Blackhawks, with Brandon Saad and team captain Jonathan Toews adding the other goals for Chicago, who led 3-2 after a frantic first period and 4-3 heading into the final frame.
The Kings will host Game One of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Michael Hirtzer; Editing by Julian Linden)
Entities 0 Name: Kings Count: 4 1 Name: Chicago Count: 3 2 Name: Corey Crawford Count: 2 3 Name: United Center Count: 2 4 Name: Blackhawks Count: 2 5 Name: Jeff Carter Count: 1 6 Name: USA Count: 1 7 Name: Detroit Red Wings Count: 1 8 Name: Brandon Saad Count: 1 9 Name: Alec Martinez Count: 1 10 Name: Montreal Canadiens Count: 1 11 Name: Michael Hirtzer Count: 1 12 Name: NHL Count: 1 13 Name: New York Rangers Count: 1 14 Name: Marian Gaborik Count: 1 15 Name: Nick Leddy Count: 1 16 Name: Justin Williams Count: 1 17 Name: Julian Linden Count: 1 18 Name: Brent Seabrook Count: 1 19 Name: Los Angeles Kings Count: 1 20 Name: Chicago Blackhawks Count: 1 21 Name: Tyler Toffoli Count: 1 22 Name: Tanner Pearson Count: 1 23 Name: Jonathan Toews Count: 1 24 Name: Dennis Count: 1 25 Name: Patrick Sharp Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1u79WG3 Title: Blackhawks, Kings battle for West crown in Game 7 Description: (SportsNetwork.com) - A series which once seemed firmly in the hands of the Los Angeles Kings has been stretched to the limit. Now the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks will try to complete a monumental comeback when they host the Kings in Sunday's Game 7 battle at United Center.
