NHL playoffs: 3 stories from Ducks-Blackhawks Game 6

The Chicago Blackhawks weren't quite ready to bow out of the playoffs, so they went out and defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Wednesday night to knot the best-of-seven Western Conference final at three games apiece.

Here are three stories from Game 6:

Ducks, 'Hawks trade places again

Neither team has managed to string together two wins in a row in this series, so maybe that alone should have made this Blackhawks victory an expected one.

This series has been a back and forth battle in so many ways, and not just because of the alternating victories.

- Game 1: Anaheim wins by a margin of three goals

- Game 2: Chicago wins 3-2 in triple overtime

- Game 3: Anaheim wins 2-1

- Game 4: Chicago wins 5-4 in double overtime

- Game 5: Anaheim wins 5-4 in overtime

- Game 6: Chicago wins by a margin of three goals

Based on those results, it's really difficult to see how this West final could be any closer.

As for predicting the outcome of Game 7, is the writing on the wall, or will one of these teams break the mold?

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was happy with the Game 6 outcome, but told reporters after the game that it is time to buck the trend.

"Yeah, no doubt. I think both teams at times have found it tough, obviously as we've seen, to put two wins back-to-back.

"I think they've done a good job of going back and stealing the momentum when we have it. I think when you get to this point, everybody says 'Game 7, anything can happen.' It's what we truly believe. We got to try and change that trend in the next one."

Blackhawks strike often, but not early

There really wasn't much happening in this game until Brandon Saad scored at the 8:23 mark of the second period to give Chicago a 1-0 lead and awaken the crowd in the process.

Over the next 3:45, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane tacked on goals to give the Blackhawks a bit of breathing room.

Much of the credit for that offensive production was due to defenceman Duncan Keith, who tallied an assist on each of those three opening goals.

Given how this series has gone, though, it would only be natural to think that the lead wasn't safe.

A power-play goal by Anaheim's Patrick Maroon cut the advantage to 3-1 heading into the final frame.

The Ducks managed to narrow the gap to 3-2 in the third period before Andrew Shaw essentially put the game away with 3:32 remaining on the clock.

'A' for effort?

The Ducks weren't exactly thrilled with their performance, which isn't surprising considering they missed an opportunity to close out the series.

Maroon certainly didn't mince words in describing his team's play.

Anaheim centre Ryan Getzlaf was also willing to shoulder some of the blame.

But overall, forward Kyle Palmieri said the team will be up for the challenge that awaits on Saturday.