Big Buff's OT winner Gives Hawks Commanding 3-0 Lead
Dustin Byfuglien continued to step up in big moments in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs when he scored the game-winning goal 12:24 into overtime, and the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2 for a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final on this date 12 years ago.
Dave Bolland gathered the puck behind the net and sent a pass to the slot for Byfuglien, who fired his seventh postseason goal past Evgeni Nabokov, who had lost track of the puck. Byfuglien then skated around the offensive zone on his left leg with his arms raised high in the air before being mobbed by his teammates as Chicago celebrated being one win away from the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1992.
Bolland had a goal and an assist, and Patrick Sharp also scored for the Hawks. Jonathan Toews had the primary assist on both of their goals. Antti Niemi made 44 saves including a crucial one on Devin Setoguchi in overtime.
Patrick Marleau scored both San Jose goals to give him four goals in two games. Nabokov made 35 saves.
Bolland scored on a breakaway to put Chicago ahead 2-1 in the third, but Marleau answered with a rebound goal with 4:23 left in regulation to tie it and force overtime.
Toews' two assists gave him a point in 12 straight playoff games, one short of the club record held by Hall of Famer Stan Mikita.
| POLL | ||
MAI 21 | 136 ANSWERS Big Buff's OT winner Gives Hawks Commanding 3-0 Lead What is your favorite memory of Big Buff? | ||
| OT winner against Sharks | 48 | 35.3 % |
| Hit on Pronger in Cup Final | 61 | 44.9 % |
| Hat trick against Coyotes | 27 | 19.9 % |
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