Los Angeles Kings Finish Road-Trip Against The Chicago Blackhawks Tonight
Monday night the Los Angeles Kings will finish their five-game road-trip in Chicago against the Blackhawks. Puck-drop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PST at the United Center.
The Kings enter the game looking to pick up the pieces after a 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Kings are currently in 3rd place in the Pacific Division with 88 points, clinging onto a playoff spot.
L.A.’s most bitter and common playoff foe over the last few years has been the Blackhawks. Both teams are two of the premier franchises in the NHL and Western Conference.
Chicago has fallen on hard times themselves. Despite a good season the Blackhawks are in 3rd place in the Central Division. The Hawks have 96 points and are just 1 point ahead of the Wild. With a loss tonight and in their next game Chicago could find themselves with a record of 45-26-6, and they will be fighting for a Wild-Card spot.
The Hawks enter tonight’s game on a one-game win-streak after sneaking out a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets yesterday.
Tonight is the first time the Kings are back in Chicago since last year’s Western Conference Final Game 7 victory.
The two teams have met twice this year, but both games were at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Blackhawks took the first game on November 29th, winning 4-1. As is typical of this rivalry the Kings evened the series, winning the second game 4-3 on January 28th.
The Kings lineup should remain the same from their game on Saturday in Minnesota. L.A.’s lineup is expected to be as follows:
Forwards:
Los Angeles Kings
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Dwight King – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dustin Brown – Nick Shore – Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Jordan Nolan
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Robyn Regehr – Andrej Sekera
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick had a rough outing with he started against the Wild on Saturday night. Quick allowed 2 goals on 9 shots, for a .778 save percentage.
Jeff Carter enters the game on a three-game point streak. Carter has 1 goal and 2 assists in his last three outings.
Carter was the Kings leading point scorer for most of the season, before being surpassed by Anze Kopitar. However, Carter still leads the team in goals with 26 and 5 game-winning goals.
Carter is also second on the team with 9 power-play goals. The Kings will need some help in that department, as they have struggled on special teams in their last few outings.
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Blackhawks to keep an eye on:
Brad Richards addition to the Hawks roster has helped stabilize the team as they’ve suffered through injury troubles this season. Richards gives Chicago depth down the center of the ice, continuing to ensure the Hawks top-6 forwards can work in any combination and they are still dangerous.
Richards has 12 goals, 24 assists, 36 points, a +4 plus/minus, 2 power-play goals, and 3 game-winning goals.
Brandon Saad is one of the Blackhawks top scorers. Due to their star filled roster Saad’s name isn’t one of the first to come up. However, Saad can be dangerous because he does everything. Saad hits, goes into the corners and comes out with the puck, he back-check’s hard, and he scores.
Saad is currently fourth on the Hawks in points and third in goals. In 75 games Saad has 22 goals, 26 assists, 48 points, +5 rating, 2 power-play goals, and 6 game-winning goals.
Playoff consequences or not, this is one of the best matchups you’ll see in hockey. Other than the Staples Center, or possibly Madison Square Garden, the United Center or “Madhouse on Madison” as it has been called, is one of the best arena’s in the country.
It’s a game you won’t want to miss.
Go Kings Go!
Jan 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jordan Nolan (71) and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) battle on the ice in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports