Saturday night's game had the Blackhawks hitting the end of their west coast trip in Los Angeles against the young gun Kings. After coming alive in the third period to come back against the lowly Ducks, they were going to need a lot more to beat the Kings. These Kings are big, fast, and hungry, like the Hawks of 3 years ago. Not only do they have all that talent, but they have two really good young goaltenders to boot. The Kings are just 3 points behind the Hawks in the standings, so anything could happen.
The Blackhawks opened up this game much more confident and much more assertive. They were able to manager 10 shots in the first, scoring on one, and held the Kings to just 6 shots and no goals. The second period yielded goals both ways, but the Hawks were able to gain the lead back. The also outshot the Kings 12-11. Considering the Kings chances, the Hawks did well to keep the puck out of their net, but the Kings had a few bounces go their way, too. Luckily for the Hawks, they were able to hold on to a one goal third period lead, to finish the road trip 3-3.
- Just over 3 minutes into the game, Bruno out a wrap around into the net. The play started with Bolly getting pushed into the net by Anze Kopitar, who actually fell down himself. This resulted in Quick not getting over to the far post in enough time to stop Brunette's attempt and goal. 1-0 Hawks
- The Hawks 4th line averaged about 6'4" and 230lbs for the game. This, of course, was including One-Trick-Bick, Big Slow and MegaMayers.
- With all the bad happening lately, the good play of Marcus Kruger has been overshadowed. He's been solid, quick, and smart. He's done a good job at most every position he's been played at. It's about time.
- Tazer put the Hawks back up by one with one of the easiest goals he's had in quite a while. Deuce took a long wrister on net that went off the skate of Vik Stalberg, and off the end boards. Quick had followed the puck before the deflection and was down on the far side of the net. The puck right came back out to El Capitan, who had a GAPING net. 2-1 Hawks.
- Before the game even started, some interesting developments came up. It was announced that Car Bomb was scratched for Big Show at forward. Ben Smith was also scratched for the third straight game, as well.
- After leading in shots early, the Hawks ran out of gas in the third. I'm sure they are happy to be heading home. The final shot totals were even at 27.
- The last 5 minutes of the game were a flurry of chances by the Kings, but the Hawks and Crawford stood tall.
- Mike Richards seems to have carried his Philly doucheness over to LA.
- I'm not sure what exactly is wrong with Stalberg, but he needs to hit the god damn net. He was in on a 2-on-0 in the middle of the second period with one of the best passers in the entire league, Patrick Kane, and couldn't manage a shot on net. IN FACT, he didn't get a shot off AT ALL.
- Deuce and Seabrook turnovers eventually led to an awful Kings goal, that tied up the game, in the second period. Both defensemen turned the puck over multiple times in the preceding action, and Corey Crawford completely whiffed on it. That's a perfect time to make that easy save and bail your team out, but he looked like Willie Mays Hayes out there. Tied up at 1-1.
- Big Slow and his awe inspiring 5:48. I know 20 people that could provide more in that time. Bickell wasn't much better with only 7:33.
- I'd like to have more to say about the third period, but I spent most of the third period trying to recover from the seizures that the WGN gave me. At least I didn't swallow my tongue or pee my pants, right?
