Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks Game 5: Live Score, Updates and Analysis

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild by a 5-1 score to advance in a five-game series win to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In the first period, Jonathan Toews found Marian Hossa open in front of the net. Hossa put the 'Hawks up 1-0, while Toews picked up his first point of the series.

In the second period, Marcus Kruger scored on a wrap-around goal that goalie Josh Harding probably should have stopped. Just over three minutes later, Hossa scored his second goal of the game as he picked up a rebound and shoveled the puck in the net.

That prompted a goaltending change for Minnesota. Darcy Kuemper replaced Harding. Torrey Mitchell finally broke the ice for the Wild, after using some momentum from the power play. Unfortunately for the Wild, Andrew Shaw scored just 35 seconds later to restore the three-goal lead for the Blackhawks.

In the third period, Patrick Sharp fired a shot right under the bar on a big, juicy rebound from a Marian Hossa slap shot.That made it 5-1 Blackhawks on a 5-on-3 power play.

The Wild just couldn't find any offense when the game was tied in the first period or when they were down only 1-0. The Blackhawks capitalized on some poor defensive zone coverage by the Wild and broke this game wide open in the second period.

Corey Crawford gave up just seven goals in his five games, as he wins his first ever playoff series.

Final score: Chicago Blackhawks 5, Minnesota Wild 1.