The Los Angeles Kings will host the Chicago Blackhawks in less than two hours. It’s time for Saturday night hockey, and tonight’s special because it’s a matchup of two of the best teams in the NHL.
Preseason favorites to win the Cup, at number 1 and 2 respectively, the Hawks and Kings have, over the course of the past four years, developed a post-season rivalry.
The Kings are coming off a big road win. It was L.A.’s second road win of the season when they defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Wednesday night. Los Angeles is now 2-4-4 on the road, giving them an overall record of 12-6-5.
Puck Prose
Chicago is coming off a big road win of their own. The Blackhawks beat up on the Anaheim Ducks 4-1, with Hawks superstar Patrick Kane picking up two of the goals. The game was in Anaheim at Honda Center, part of Chicago’s West Coast road-trip, from North of the border – Calgary and Vancouver, to Southern California.
The Hawks are 14-8-1 with a road record of 7-5-0. Chicago is currently in third place in the Central Division with 29 points, and tied with L.A. for sixth in the Western Conference.
According to L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen, the Kings did not have full line rushes because Jonathan Quick, Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter opted out of the optional skate.
However, the Kings lineup is expected to be:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Tyler Toffoli
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Trevor Lewis
Justin Williams – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Dwight King
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene
Jamie McBain – Robyn Regehr
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Healthy Scratches: Andy Andreoff – Jordan Nolan
Quick should get the start for the Kings tonight. He’s had a week, including the last two games off. Having Quick rested and coming back against one of the best offensive teams in the NHL will be in the Kings favor.
Kings forward Justin Williams is on a 6-game point streak. Williams has 3 goals and 7 points in his last 6 games, and has been on fire since reuniting with last-season’s first linemate captain Dustin Brown. With Jarrett Stoll at center Brown and Williams have found their point scoring groove again, taking over most of the offense for the Kings.
Da Windy City
Players the Kings need to keep an eye on:
The Blackhawks are loaded with talent. There are too many players to limit the list down to a few. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Bryan Bickell . . . The list goes on and on.
Kane currently leads the Hawks with 23 points in 23 games. Kane is tied with Toews for the team lead in goals with 10. Toews has 19 points on the season. Hossa is third with 16 points in 23 games, only 3 of which are goals. Keith leads all defensemen with 15 points, and has 5 goals on the season.
Other Hawks to watch out for, that don’t have the name recognition . . . yet, are: Brandon Saad, and Trevor Van Riemsdyk.
Saad has been a staple of the Hawks for the last couple of season. Saad is a strong second line player. He puts up points, hits in the corners, and constantly works hard at both ends of the ice.
Van Riemsdyk is the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs star forward James Van Riemsdyk. Trevor is in his rookie year of NHL play, but has demonstrated that he’s a skilled puck moving defensemen. Like his older brother, Trevor always plays with his head up. TVR makes mistakes, but he’s not afraid to take chances which can hurt your team if you underestimate him.
Chicago went through an uncharacteristic scoring drought at the start of the season, scoring 2 or fewer goals in 9 out of their first 12 games. Lately, they’ve regained their touch around the net, and are as dangerous as ever. Jonathan Quick and the Kings defense, are going to have their hands full tonight.
Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST. Grab some popcorn, order a pizza or some chicken wings and grab a seat in front of the TV; this is going to be a good one.
May 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) moves the puck against the defense of Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) during the third period in game six of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports