CHICAGO -- It is really hard to wear out Duncan Keith. He just keeps going and going and going.
Keith had three assists and saved a goal in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Wednesday night to force a Game 7 in the NHL Western Conference finals.
NHL playoffs
CONFERENCE FINALS
(Best-of-7)
TUESDAY’S GAME
NY Rangers 7, Tampa Bay 3
Series tied 3-3
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Chicago 5, Anaheim 2
Series tied 3-3
FRIDAY’S GAME
Tampa Bay at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Chicago at Anaheim, 7 p.m.
The Blackhawks' biggest stars stepped up during a key stretch in the second, led by another terrific all-around performance for Keith. Shaking off the Ducks' plan to wear down Chicago's top four defensemen, Keith had his fourth multipoint game of the playoffs.
"He's kind of a freak as far as his metabolism and conditioning level," Coach Joel Quenneville said. "I think the more he plays, the more efficient, the more he gets going."
Andrew Shaw had two goals late in the third, sending the Ducks to their first regulation loss of the playoffs. Brandon Saad, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane also scored for Chicago, and Corey Crawford made 30 saves.
Next up for the NHL playoffs is a double dip of Game 7s to determine which teams will play for the Stanley Cup. The New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning in the East final Friday night, and the Blackhawks and Ducks meet in Anaheim on Saturday night.
It is only the second time in the expansion era since the 1967-1968 playoffs that each of the conference finals required a Game 7. The other time was in 2000, when New Jersey went on to beat Dallas for the NHL title. New Jersey beat Philadelphia in the East final while Dallas eliminated Colorado in the West final.
"I think the finality of it is what stands out," Anaheim Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I mean, one group is going to go home and one group's going to go play for the Stanley Cup. There's really not a lot you can leave on the table."
The Ducks and Blackhawks each dropped a home Game 7 to Los Angeles last season. Anaheim blew a 3-2 series lead against the Kings in the second round, and the Blackhawks lost 5-4 in overtime in the West finals on a deflected shot from Los Angeles defenseman Alec Martinez.
"I remember the feeling after we lost that game," Kane said. "We definitely don't want that feeling again."
Patrick Maroon and Clayton Stoner scored for the Ducks, and Frederik Andersen made 18 saves.
Sports on 05/28/2015