As third periods go, the Ducks have been about as foolproof as they come in these Stanley Cup playoffs. Especially when they have a lead.
Anaheim went into lockdown again Thursday with a 2-1 lead after two periods and the usually-potent Blackhawks against the ropes. The result was familiar, though a few tense moments toward the end gave cause for concern. But the score held and the Ducks took a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference finals.
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Anaheim's dominance in the third period this postseason has been uncanny. They've allowed just three goals in the final frame, scoring 18 of their own, and are now 5-1 when leading after two periods. In fact, the only team better this postseason has been none other than the Blackhawks, who are 5-0 when leading after the second period.
It was defenseman Simon Despres' goal with 56 seconds left in the second period that gave the Ducks their one-goal lead. It was the first goal of his postseason career for Despres, who was acquired from the Penguins at the trade deadline in what has been the most effective deal made that day.
Despres and defensive partner Cam Fowler have been a formidable lockdown pair, one that has come in handy for the Ducks when dropping the vice grip on their opponents with the game on the line. Despres logged 23:26 on Thursday, while Fowler skated 21:27.
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It was Fowler who helped set up Despres on the eventual winning goal, a laser one-timer from the right circle that left many wondering how in the world Anaheim got their hands on Despres, a 23-year-old with loads of potential, for 31-year-old veteran Ben Lovejoy.
GIF: Depres goal pic.twitter.com/OjmlLwjpQa
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) May 22, 2015Ryan Getzlaf earned the primary assist on Despres' goal. It was his 14th helper of the playoffs, tying his own team record set in 2009. Getzlaf now has 16 points in 12 games, tied for second in the postseason with linemate Corey Perry.
Perry was held scoreless in a game for just the third time in the playoffs. Patrick Maroon scored the game's first goal with 12:55 gone in the first period before Patrick Kane tied it 1-1 on a pretty, no-look, backhanded shot from the low slot with 57 seconds left. Kane had a prime chance to tie the game again in the final seconds as he stickhandled around a group of Ducks defenders but missed the far corner of the net by a couple inches.
last second Kane chance pic.twitter.com/Uec6z2n5NV
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) May 22, 2015Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen turned aside 28 of 29 shots in another impressive performance. His counterpart, Corey Crawford, stopped 25 of 27 shots for the Blackhawks.
It was the first home loss for the Blackhawks this postseason (5-1).
Highlight: Kane doesn't need to look. For those keeping track, that gives him 105 points in 106 career playoff games. Kane is also now tied for fourth all-time with 45 playoff goals. At 26 years old, he's 17 goals behind Brett Hull, who holds the record with 62.
Friday's game: Eastern Conference finals, Game 4, Lightning at Rangers, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network