Favorite playoff memory: Savard recalls Blackhawks win in 1995 Game 7

NHL.com is looking ahead to the Stanley Cup Playoffs by having former players discuss their favorite postseason game. Today, forward Denis Savard recalls the Chicago Blackhawks' Game 7 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Western Conference Quarterfinals on May 19, 1995.

Denis Savard said he proved to himself that he could still play at a high level when he scored a goal and two assists in the Chicago Blackhawks' 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the 1995 Western Conference Quarterfinals at United Center.

"I didn't know what to expect of myself, really," said Savard, who had 1,338 points (473 goals, 865 assists) in 1,196 NHL games with the Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. "I knew I could still play, but I knew I wasn't going to be the impact player that I was earlier in my career.

"But that particular playoff, I felt really good. Obviously, coach Darryl Sutter put me in a lot of situations to succeed, and I played with some good players. I just felt like, 'I know I'm back,' you know?"

Savard was traded by the Lightning to the Blackhawks six weeks earlier, on April 6. He said he appreciated his time with Tampa Bay (1993-95) but welcomed a return to Chicago, where he played the first 10 seasons of his NHL career.

"We were in Philadelphia. (Lightning general manager) Phil (Esposito) called, I was ready to take my nap, and he said, 'Chicago wants you back,'" said Savard, who is now a Blackhawks ambassador. "He said, 'It's up to you. I'll make the call if you want to go back. If you don't, we like you here, we like your leadership with the kids.' I said, 'Phil, I appreciate the opportunity you guys gave me here, but I'd surely like to go back.'

"I remember my first comment to some of my friends and teammates when I put my [Blackhawks] jersey back on, that the colors just felt right. It was just the right uniform. I'd worn it for so many years."

In Game 7 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 34-year-old gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead when he scored unassisted on goalie Felix Potvin at 13:41 of the first period.

"That's probably why I remember this game the most, because the team in Game 7 that scores first would probably win a lot of the games," Savard said. "I think I came on the right side and put it five-hole on him. I could kind of see that, because I was on the right side, kind of middle center, right side. I took a shot and I deked on him, but I think I went between his legs."

Dave Andreychuk tied the game for Toronto at 17:03 of the first before Eric Weinrich gave Chicago a 2-1 lead at 17:51 of the second. Joe Murphy scored the first of his two goals to make it 3-1 at 11:53 of the third period, and Patrick Poulin gave the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead 26 seconds later.

Savard had the primary assist on Poulin's goal, as well as Murphy's empty-net goal with 10 seconds remaining. He scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in seven games against Toronto, tying Bernie Nicholls for the Blackhawks lead.

Chicago swept the Vancouver Canucks in four games in the second round before losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Final in five games. Savard's comfort level was on display throughout; he led the Blackhawks with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 16 playoff games.

"I'm telling you, I was so energized," said Savard, who was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017 and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000. "Most importantly, you want to prove you can help. That's what really crossed my mind at the time was, 'I've got to prove this, I've got to show people, show my family I can still play at a high level.' And it worked out.

"It was just the adrenaline, the excitement. I wanted to prove I could still help. I remember my wife stayed in Tampa with my daughter. I came home and stayed at the Oak Brook Hills hotel and all I did was hockey, hockey, hockey. I didn't have anything else to do but just play hockey, go to practice, eat well, rest and yeah, that sure helped me in the sense that I was just really focused. And being back was a lot of fun. I wish we would have won [the Cup] but hey, would've, could've, should've."