CHICAGO — Brandon Saad and Patrick Kane were everywhere, and the Chicago Blackhawks needed every last play to keep their title defense alive.

The Western Conference final is headed back to California.

Saad and Kane each picked up an assist when Michal Handzus scored 2:04 into the second overtime, and the Blackhawks beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-4 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Saad made a nice pass to the middle and Handzus beat goaltender Jonathan Quick with a backhander for his second goal of the playoffs. The Slovak center celebrated by pounding the boards behind the net as the sellout crowd of 21,871 roared.

“I saw him for a second there, and threw it,” Saad said. “He handled it off his skate and made a great move. It was all good on him. He’s a leader out here, does all the right things, so it’s good to see him get rewarded.”

Handzus has been all over Chicago’s lines all season long as the Blackhawks searched for a second-line center behind captain Jonathan Toews. His biggest value right now is on the penalty kill, but it was his offense that kept Chicago’s title defense alive.

“I want to help the team as much as I can,” Handzus said. “I’m playing on the PK a lot. I’m not playing very well offensively. I’m glad I came through.”

Saad had a goal and two assists to help Chicago stop a three-game losing streak. Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya and Ben Smith also scored, and Kane set a playoff career high with four assists.

“Personally, I thought Saader was the best player on the ice tonight,” Kane said. “He was bringing so much speed and puck protection.”

Game 6 is Friday night in Los Angeles.

Marian Gaborik and Dustin Brown each had a goal and an assist, and Jarret Stoll and Tanner Pearson also scored for the Kings, who led 4-3 after two periods. It was Gaborik’s NHL-best 11th playoff goal.

Quick and Chicago’s Corey Crawford each stopped 40 shots.