Chicago Blackhawks: Quenneville-Era Game 7s At A Glance

2014: Defending Champion Blackhawks Eliminated By Kings

Another Game 7 overtime goal, but this one would sting more than anything in the Blackhawks’ 2013-14 season. Defending the Stanley Cup is no easy task (see 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs). But the Blackhawks in 2013-14 came as close as you could without making back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final.

When the Blackhawks and Kings met for the Western Conference finals, it would be the third Stanley Cup Playoffs meeting for the two franchises, with Chicago having won both of their previous meetings. It was also the third straight Western Conference finals appearance for the Kings, and the Blackhawks’ third trip since 2009.

Check it out: Pat Foley is dead on about late starts

Chicago would win Game 1, but drop the next three to be in a familiar spot: down 3-1 in a series. With a double-overtime win in Game 5 in Chicago and a one-goal win in Game 6 in Los Angeles, the Blackhawks were able to force a Game 7 back at the United Center with the Stanley Cup Final within reach. The teams battled to overtime, when Alec Martinez would float a shot on goal that bounced off Nick Leddy and over the shoulder of Crawford to send the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final. They would eventually beat the New York Rangers in five games.

2015: Blackhawks Eliminate Ducks After Trailing Series 3-2

Last season was a season for redemption in Chicago, having come so close to a shot at repeating as Stanley Cup champions. The Blackhawks would take advantage of the play of their acquisitions at the NHL trade deadline and overcame a late-season injury to Patrick Kane to advance through the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Western Conference finals, yet again.

There they would face the Anaheim Ducks in a hard-fought series, as Anaheim was looking to get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning it all back in 2007. Chicago and Anaheim would trade wins through the first five games of the series, giving the Ducks a 3-2 advantage going into a Game 6 that Chicago would be able to win at the United Center to force Game 7 back in California.

This would be the most dominant Game 7 that Chicago has played out of the four in the Quenneville Era. The Blackhawks worked a 4-0 lead into the second period before the Ducks got on the board. It wouldn’t be enough though, and Chicago would advance to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final after dispatching the Ducks 5-3. It goes without saying, but the Blackhawks would top the Lightning in six games to win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons.

Next: Blackhawks On A Roll After Game 6 Win

Now Chicago is faced with its fifth Game 7 situation under Quenneville, and is yet again looking to complete a 3-1 series comeback, like it did in 2013 against Detroit. With another chance to defend the Stanley Cup, Chicago must eliminate the Blues in the first round, something St. Louis has had happen to it over the last three postseasons.

So what do you think? Is history on the Blackhawks’ side? What do you think will happen in tonight’s Game 7? Let us know in the comment section below.