Ducks vs. Blackhawks: Game 3 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 NHL Playoffs

The Chicago Blackhawks appeared in control of the Western Conference Final entering Thursday's Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks at the United Center.

However, despite losing the previous contest in triple overtime, the visiting Ducks managed to wrest leverage back from Chicago with a tremendous 2-1 victory and 2-1 series lead.

A strong push at the end saw the Blackhawks apply pressure with an empty net and extra attacker. As was the case for most of the game, though, Anaheim stood tall, thanks largely to Frederik Andersen's play between the pipes.

Former NHL goalie and current NHL.com analyst Kevin Weekes praised Andersen's glove work amid another excellent performance in which the Ducks netminder stopped 27 of 28 shots:

Patrick Maroon put Anaheim on the board first, taking advantage of a power play at 12:55 in the first period. The NHL's official Twitter account captured the pretty goal:

SportsCenter noted how difficult of a time opponents have had coming from behind against the Ducks in the playoffs:

The visitors' stellar defense continued to keep the Blackhawks off the board until the final minute or so of the first, when Chicago superstar Patrick Kane proceeded to make magic happen.

Kane somehow gathered the puck with a swarm of Ducks flanking him, spun around and ripped a vicious backhand shot to beat Andersen and even the score:

Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune highlighted the postseason brilliance that has elevated Kane among the best players in the league:

Then it was time for Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf to help set up some late-period heroics of his own in the second. Getzlaf found defenseman Simon Despres all by himself and ready to rip a one-timer for the go-ahead goal that came at the 19:05 mark in the second.

The goal was the first of Despres' postseason career, and it couldn't have come at a better time, especially since it was a bit of a response to the late-period tally Kane scored earlier in the contest.

Kane had a chance with just seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at two, but he just missed notching the equalizer as time wound down.

It seemed the Ducks adopted the attitude expressed by head coach Bruce Boudreau prior to Game 3.

"To me, it was a confidence boost," said Boudreau of Game 2 despite his team's loss, per the Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire. "We didn't get the final result we wanted, but for almost six periods...I look and say, 'Hey, man, we can hang with these guys.' That's why I'm excited about getting back at it."

Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register did well to describe how Anaheim set the tone Thursday evening:

Even though the Ducks weren't perfect in terms of avoiding penalties—including an unlucky whistle on Getzlaf for a phantom high stick on Andrew Shaw—they still managed to dig in when it mattered most.

The numerous minutes Chicago's blue line racked up in Game 2 had to be a factor. Anaheim has a deeper all-around team and has shown a knack for killing off penalties against one of the NHL's more explosive offenses.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

At least the Blackhawks can take solace in the fact that they'll remain at home for Game 4 on Saturday. Andersen has been standing on his head, and Chicago is due to erupt at some point. A proliferation in goal production couldn't come soon enough, though, because the last thing the Blackhawks want is to head back to Anaheim trailing 3-1.

Chicago goalie Corey Crawford has fared well and simply lost track of Despres' game-winner due to the heavy traffic in front of the net. Chicago's defense will likely continue having tired legs, so it's on Crawford to help the Blackhawks even the series.