This Western Conference Final just did not want to end on Friday night. With a wild third period that saw four goals scored including two pivotal lead changes, the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings will now play a winner-take-all Game 7 for the right to play the New York Rangers. Yes, the final round starts on Wednesday but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here.
It really did appear Los Angeles was going to close this series out but then the plot twisted and changed to include a Sunday night Game 7 special. Both teams have a heart of a champion and neither one is willing to go down without one hell of a fight. Now it is time for the fantasy hockey three stars.
Fantasy Hockey Three Stars
Third Star — Duncan Keith — Chicago Blackhawks
Though it is true that Duncan Keith only had one point, it was an extremely important ONE. Add in the fact that he also played nearly 25 minutes on a night where everyone knows he is not exactly 100 percent. That can be said for a majority of players at this point but Keith was a difference maker on both sides of the ice last night. Chicago will need more of that on Sunday night if they expect to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. It will be an electric atmosphere and Keith will be relied upon to do more than just score.
Second Star — Drew Doughty — Los Angeles Kings
Great players just find ways to take over games at the most crucial time. In the third period, that seemed like the perfect time to do so. Drew Doughty had both of his points in the third period and that seemed that it really was enough. Again, you would have been wrong but Doughty just plays like a man possessed this time of year and Game 6 was no exception. Los Angeles needs even more from Doughty in Game 7 and maybe more than the two points he put up in Game 6. Either way, the time is now and there is no other tomorrows if you do not win now.
First Star — Patrick Kane — Chicago Blackhawks
The final curtain almost came down and yet it did not. Again, Game 7 is Sunday night at a little after 8:00 pm ET hockey fans. Patrick Kane is a big reason why as his two goals and an assist provided the lift in the 4-3 win over Los Angeles. It is the two points in the third period that everyone is going to remember and rightfully so. For me, the seven points in the last two games are nice but Kane’s cerebral processes are second to none. There are precious few players that can do that in clutch situations. Kane is one of them that can do it constantly. His abilities and transitions are so much fun to watch for fantasy owners and fans alike. Sunday is going to be some kind of fun considering the forward’s penchant for producing later in series much like a certain Justin Williams. Buckle up and get ready!
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Thanks again for reading and just think there is still one more round to go fantasy hockey fans. Are you ready?
