Stanley Cup Playoffs: NHL Western Final Tied

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — It took five shots and over 116 minutes of hockey, but the Chicago Blackhawks finally knotted the NHL's Western Conference finals at a game apiece.

Marcus Kruger scored on a tip-in of Brent Seabrook's shot at 16:12 of triple-overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win over the Ducks in Anaheim.

The Hawks thought they had won it on a goal by Andrew Shaw midway through the second OT, but replay officials ruled Shaw had directed the puck into the net with his head. That's OK in soccer, but not for hockey.

Anaheim extended the game by erasing an early 2-0 lead. Shaw and Marian Hossa scored power-play goals in the first 6:19, but the Ducks eventually knotted the score on Corey Perry's goal with 2 ½ minutes left in the second period.

Corey Crawford made 27 of his 60 saves after regulation to give Chicago a chance to win.

Frederik Andersen finished with 53 saves.

Game 3 is Thursday in Chicago.

In Other NHL News:

— A person familiar with the discussions tells The Associated Press that Mike Babcock is in contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres to potentially become their next head coach. Babcock is still under contract with Detroit, but the Red Wings have given him permission to speak with other teams. Babcock has not ruled out staying put in Detroit, and has said he wanted to make a decision on his future by Wednesday.

— The Edmonton Oilers have hired Todd McLellan as their coach after a season in which they again failed to make the playoffs. McLellan appeared to be Edmonton's top choice since Peter Chiarelli became general manager this month. Todd Nelson replaced Dallas Eakins as coach in December. The Oilers have not made the playoffs since 2006.

— The Ottawa Senators have signed goaltender Andrew Hammond to a $4.05-million, three-year contract. Hammond, whose spectacular late-season run got the Senators into the playoffs, will make $1.2 million next season, $1.35 million in 2016-17 and $1.5 million in 2017-18. Nicknamed the "Hamburglar," he will count $1.35 million against Ottawa's salary cap over the length of the deal.

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