The Chicago Blackhawks: A Six-Year Odyssey

May 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) celebrates after scoring a goal past Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during the second period in game six of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

2010-11: … Ben Smith? Ben Smith!

The Blackhawks lost the first three games of their first-round series against an old friend: the Vancouver Canucks. Thoughts of a repeat were seemingly gone, until a 12-2 spurt in the next two games from the Hawks had them within one game of tying the series. In Game 6 (yet another overtime thriller), 22-year-old Ben Smith ended it with a backhand beauty over Roberto Luongo to tie the series. The Blackhawks would go on to lose a classic in Game 7.