The Top Three Playoff Series During the Blackhawks 2010-2015 Dynasty Run

After a pause in play in the NHL, it is a fitting time to reminisce on the best playoff series during the 2010-2015 dynasty run. Win or lose, the Blackhawks were in some tight, entertaining series that came down to the line.

Ranking the best series was not easy, and is something Jimmy Lynch and I have talked a little bit about on the Blackhawk Up podcast. But here is my effort of the top 3 playoff series during the Blackhawks championship run. Let's start with an honorable mention.

Honorable Mention: 2016 Western Conference Quarterfinal versus the St. Louis Blues

Yes, this playoff series technically does fall outside of the 2010-2015 timespan described in the article title, however every fan still believed that the Blackhawks could add onto their dynasty while this playoff series was taking place.

This series was set up perfectly from events in the past, such as the 2014 Western Conference Quarterfinal when these two teams faced off with the Blackhawks defeating the Blues. The rivalry was renewed in a sense, and these teams did not like each other.

All but 1 game was decided by only one goal in this series. The Blackhawks did find themselves down 3-1 to the Blues after game four of the series. It was looking as if the Hawks were going to replicate the comeback they achieved against the Detroit Red Wings in 2013, especially after winning game six in a convincing 6-3 fashion on home ice. However, the Blues did get their revenge and knocked out the defending champs in a wild game seven.

After falling down 2-0 early in the game, Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw netted two goals to tie the game at 2. Former Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawk Troy Brouwer got the go ahead goal for St. Louis, making 3-2 in the third period. With about four minutes remaining in the period, Brent Seabrook had the infamous double post shot that did not find its way in. This ended up being the difference and capped off a wild playoff series between these two division foes.

Number 2: 2013 Western Conference Semifinal versus the Detroit Red Wings

The Blackhawks have played in many pivotal game sevens, and a few instances of lost game sevens were already discussed. The game seven in this series has to go down as one of the best game sevens in recent history for the Chicago Blackhawks.

As in many playoff series during the dynasty run, the Hawks went down 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings and squandered home ice advantage. After battling back to even the series at three games a piece, the Blackhawks came back to a packed UC to try and advance to yet another Western Conference Final.

With 1:47 remaining in the third, Niklas Hjalmarsson netted what everyone in the building thought would be the go-ahead goal. However, behind the play the official blew the play dead prior to the puck going in the net. Brandon Saad and Kyle Quincey had gotten into a scuffle that prompted offsetting minor penalties. In what was the only game to reach overtime in the series, Brent Seabrook scored the game winning goal behind Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard to bring the Blackhawks to the Western Conference Final.

Number 1: 2015 Western Conference Final versus the Anaheim Ducks

This series was one of the best back and fourth playoff matchups during the 2015 championship run. After a dominating performance on home ice from the Ducks in game 1, the Hawks needed to tie the series at 1 before heading back to Chicago.

Enter Andrew Shaw in double overtime of game 2. Shaw did a good job using his head (literally and figuratively) and knocked in the puck for what Hawks fans hoped was the game winning goal. Unfortunately, that goal was disallowed because Shaw used a soccer-style header to score the goal, so the teams played on and the game reached triple overtime. Marcus Kruger proved to be the hero for the Hawks, as he sent Blackhawks fans to bed well into the morning in Chicago which tied the series at one game a piece.

The Ducks came back to win game 3 in Chicago to take a 2-1 series lead. A wild game four toyed with the nerves of Blackhawks fans as the game went into overtime. The Ducks were one goal away from taking a pivotal 3-1 series lead, but enter trade deadline acquisition Antoinne Vermette. He tied the series at two before both teams headed out west for game 5.

The Ducks yet again took the series lead as they defeated the Hawks on their home ice 5-4 in overtime. The Blackhawks faced a familiar must win situation in Chicago for game 6. Games 6 and 7 might have been the most fun playoff games to watch as a Blackhawks fan.

The Hawks left absolutely no doubt in both game 6 and 7 as they dominated the Ducks in every facet of the game. They won game 6 by a score of 5-2 and game 7 by a score of 5-3. After lots of nail biting and teeth chattering games for Hawks fans, these games were a nice confidence boost especially knowing the Stanley Cup Final was up next.