The Blackhawks had the second game of a back-to-back Monday night against the LA kings back at the United Center. This was a pretty important game for both teams, with the Blackhawks trying to hold onto their third place spot, and the Kings just trying to make the playoffs. The Hawks could help keep the Kings out with a regulation win, as well as help their own situation.
The Blackhawks and Kings went into the first intermission tied at 1, with the Hawks scoring in the first five minutes and the Kings in the final minute. The action went back and forth pretty evenly all period, but the Blackhawks led the shot count 16-10.
The Blackhawks came out of the first intermission on fire. They scored 2 quick goals, and could have easily had 2 more, all in the first 5 minutes. Eventually, the Blackhawks cooled off, and the Kings were about to tie the Blackhawks in shots 13-13.
The third period, had both teams letting off the gas some, with the Blackhawks pretty much icing the game with about 7 minutes remaining and out shooting the Kings 13-9. When the final horn blew, it was a convincing 4-1 Blackhawks win.
- Five minutes into the first period, following a delayed penalty call on Mike Richards for running Andrew Shaw from behind, new WWE Heavyweight Champion Brandon Saad carried the puck from behind he net, and circled into the slot. He had enough reach to throw the puck at the net, and it deflected off Bickell's skate past Quick. 1-0 Blackhawks.
- Just a minute and a half into the second period, the Blackhawks took the lead back. Duncan Keith was able to actually get a long point shot through and just miss Andrew Shaw, who was screening Quick. The puck had eyes and made it past Quick. 2-1 Blackhawks
- Sixty four seconds after the Keith goal, and seconds after Patrick Sharp hit the crossbar, Nik Hjalmarsson kept a Kings clearing attempt in the zone and walking to the top of the circle and beat Quick for another Blackhawks goal.
- Less than a minute after the Hjalmarsson goal, Teravainen just missed making it 4-1 with a break-a-way chance.
- With about 7 minutes remaining, Hossa put on a show. He stole the puck at the Kings blue line, came in 1-on-5 and sniped Quick for a 4-1 Blackhawks lead.
- One soft goal aside, Scott Darling was really solid as hell in net. He saved 31 of 32, which is exactly what the Hawks needed.
- Hjalmarsson and Oduya were each plus 3. More of this, please.
- This might be the best game we've seen out of Johnny Oduya all year.
- The way Brandon Saad has been laying must make Stan Bowman's tighten up more each day. He's going to have to pay out the wazoo for this kid, and he would be worth it.
- I know I might be in the minority, but I was pretty stoked to see Former WWE Champ CM Punk shoot the puck between periods. Sue me.
- Late in the first period, Brandon Saad was sandwiched by Drew Doughty and Kyle Clifford. He went down hard and got up slow, eventually going to the locker room.
- I still can't say I've noticed Timonen out there.
- Teravainen starting on the 4th line is NEVER good; so that's exactly what Quenneville did. To make matters worse, Andrew Shaw was back at fucking center. It doesn't matter what the score ends up being. It's a stupid lineup.
- The Kings tied the game with under a minute remaining in the first period. Jake Muzzin threw the puck at the net from the half boards, and it just snuck through Darling and into the net.
Versteeg-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Richards-Vermette
Bickell-Shaw-Saad
Desjardins-Kruger-Tervainen
Keith-Rozsival
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Seabrook-Timonen