Ducks Push Blackhawks to Brink

The Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Playoff overtime winning streak is over, and their 2014-15 campaign is now also one game away from ending.

Matt Beleskey's goal 45 seconds into sudden death on Monday night boosted the Anaheim Ducks to a 5-4 victory over the Blackhawks at the Honda Center. The Ducks now lead the best-of-seven NHL Western Conference Final, three games to two.

Anaheim raced out to a 3-0 lead early in the first period, the second goal coming from Ryan Kesler (Ohio State) on a deflection. The Blackhawks closed to within 3-2 by the end of the second stanza, with Patrick Sharp (Vermont) setting up both scores, before Anaheim regained the two-goal lead in the third period.

Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) then scored twice in a 72-second span late in the final frame to send the contest into overtime, where Beleskey ended it by putting home a rebound from Kesler.

Chicago had won all four extra-time contests it had played this spring, all in multiple OTs, including its two wins so far in this series. Both teams had 28 shots on goal Monday, and both went 0-for-2 on the power play.

The Blackhawks will try to stay alive at home on Wednesday night at the United Center in Game 6.