The Morning Skate: 6/09/13

If you were praying for an exciting game last night, the hockey gods answered your prayers. Last night’s game has too many good story lines to cover: LA’s comeback, Mike Richards tying goal with less than 10 seconds left, Patrick Kane scores a hat trick to elevate the Hawks to the Stanley Cup, and just the fact that it was a double overtime elimination game. Take your pick.

Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Members of the Chicago Blackhawks pose for a photo with the Western Conference championship trophy with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly after game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks won 4-3 to win the series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Scott Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The end all be all story line of last night though is that the Chicago Blackhawks became the Western Conference Champions and have set the stage for the Stanley Cup Finals. Duncan Keith opened the scoring in the first period for the Hawks with a blast from the blue line that should have never made it past Quick. It was then the Patrick Kane show, he scored in the first period to make it 2-0, then again late in the 3rd to make it 3-2, and finished off the hat trick in double overtime. Kane and the Hawks take the series four games to one. Here is the recap of game five from NHL.com.

The LA Kings should be proud of their accomplishments this season, even though Jonathan Quick is going to be haunted by the first goal scored by Keith. The Kings fought their way back into the game late, and began showing there resilience. The same resilience that helped them hoist the Cup last season, but it was short lived, and just not enough.

Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie

(32) gives up a goal to Chicago Blackhawks defenseman

(not pictured) during the first period in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday June 12th the Stanley Cup Finals will begin with game one between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 PM at the United Center in Chicago, and will broadcast on NBC (as well as CBC and RDS). You can find the rest of the schedule here compliments of NHL.com.

Charging Through The Headlines:

• SI.com reports that Ralph Krueger has been relieved of his duties as coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
• The Dallas Stars, who just acquired the rights to Sergei Gonchar, signed the Russian defender to a two-year contract. Find out more at NHL.com.
• The NHL season culminates with the start of the Stanley Cup Finals, here is a preview of the series from NHL.com.

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Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) gives up a goal to Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (not pictured) during the first period in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

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