Game 6 eliminator: Promising Wild season comes to a close in 2-1 OT loss to Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) lands on Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) as Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30), of Russia, deflects a shot during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, May 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) (The Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp (10), Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) and Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) battle for the puck in front of Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30), of Russia, during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, May 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) (The Associated Press)

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild used a spirited postseason run to establish themselves as one of the NHL's up-and-coming teams.

The Chicago Blackhawks' time is now, and the defending Stanley Cup champions took the Wild's best shot before ending it with one of their own.

Patrick Kane scored the game-winner at 9:40 of overtime to lift the Blackhawks to a 2-1 victory over the Wild in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday night, eliminating Minnesota in front of its charged-up home fans.

The Wild peppered Chicago goalie Corey Crawford with 35 shots, but Erik Haula's breakaway in the second period was the only one that got through. It was Minnesota's first loss in six postseason home games.

Kris Versteeg scored at 1:58 of the first period for Chicago.