For the second consecutive game, Phoenix Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker scored the game-winning goal in overtime. The win gives the Coyotes a commanding 3-1 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks in their Western Conference Quarterfinal series.
The series shifts back to Phoenix on Saturday night, and the Coyotes are one win away from their first playoff series win since moving to Phoenix in 1996.
Boedker chipped the puck past Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy in the neutral zone and used his body to shield the puck from Leddy as he approached goalie Corey Crawford, slipping the puck underneath Crawford's pads and into the back of the net.
After two scoreless periods, Coyotes forward Shane Doan beat Crawford with a wrist shot to open the scoring seven minutes into the third. 44 seconds later, Taylor Pyatt put Phoenix up 2-0 when he beat Crawford with a wrist shot. The Blackhawks battled back. Brendan Morrison got the puck past Coyotes goalie Mike Smith with a slap shot midway through the period, and Michael Frolik tied the score with 1:26 to play.
Smith stopped 30-of-32 shots on the night and the Coyotes effectively blocked 21 from getting to the net. Crawford struggled, surrendering three goals on just 19 shots. Phoenix was the more physical team on Thursday night, out-hitting the Blackhawks 50-32, and held a 27-21 edge in the face-off circle.
Follow along with this StoryStream for further updates. And for more, check out SB Nation's Blackhawks blog, Second City Hockey, and our Coyotes blog, Five For Howling.
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