Kane nets winner, Blackhawks beat Blues in 2OT

St. Louis Blues' Robby Fabbri, top left, tries to control the puck as Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, bottom, and Blackhawks' Duncan Keith defend during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 21, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Blues' Jaden Schwartz, right, is congratulated by Vladimir Tarasenko, of Russia, after scoring during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, April 21, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford deflects a puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, April 21, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

Patrick Kane scored on a backhander early in the second overtime and the Chicago Blackhawks avoided first-round elimination with a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues early Friday.

The game winner was the first goal in the series by the defending Stanley Cup winners' stars, Kane and Jonathan Toews. Both assisted on Artemi Panarin's goal in the final second of the second period for a 3-1 lead.

Kane, who led the NHL in scoring with 107 points, circled the net to corral his own shot that slowly slid wide, and poked it past Brian Elliott at 2:56 to send a standing-room crowd of 19,956 home unhappy.

David Backes tied it on a deflection that slipped past Corey Crawford with 5:10 to play. Rookie Robby Fabbri and Jaden Schwartz also scored for St. Louis.

Marian Hossa and Artem Anisimov also scored for Chicago, which will host Game 6 on Saturday.