LA Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Preview: Key Points, Projected Lines, and More

The Los Angeles Kings are back at it tonight as they close out the season series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Look Back at the Last Meeting:

The Kings suffered an ugly 5-1 loss to Chicago back on March 3rd. Anze Kopitar scored the lone goal for the Kings, while Darcy Kuemper suffered the loss, giving up 4 goals on 18 shots.

Key Points Against the Chicago Blackhawks:

1. Avoid the Sweep

Despite the 32 point difference in the standings in favor of the Kings, it is the Chicago Blackhawks who are going for the sweep of the season series tonight.

It is no secret the Kings have struggled to grab wins against teams sitting low in the standings this season, with the Blackhawks being no different. So far this year, LA is 0-1-1 versus Chicago and has been outscored 9-4. When looking back at the last meeting, the Kings lacked that crisp defensive play, leaving Darcy Kuemper in tough spots for a handful of goals, and he was unfortunately unable to bail them out. Offensively, while LA had 42 shots, many were low-danger perimeter plays.

We know how good the Kings can play when their defensive system is clicking, and look for that to guide LA to success tonight.

2. Penalty Problems

With the Kings PK has been great as of late and across the entireity of the season, LA is testing it far too much as of late.

Going back to the Islanders game on March 11, the Kings have been penalized 17 times, for an average of over four times per game. While they have allowed just two goals against on the penalty kill since, the Kings are limiting themselves offensively and handing the other teams too many chances to get themselves back into games, or even win games, as the Wild did on Monday.

While the Kings have played disciplined hockey against the Hawks so far this season, they need to put an end to the penalty troubles tonight as they take on the 8th best powerplay in the NHL.

3. Busy Times

Plenty of hockey still to be played to close March out, with seven games to be played between now and the end of the month.

The term "games in hand" has been a popular one in the Kings fandom as of late, with those games set to be played across this hectic week and a half for LA. While it starts tonight and it is a one-game-at-a-time scenario, it is tough not to look ahead and notice who the Kings play in this stretch. Carolina, Toronto, and Colorado, two sets of back-to-backs, and then quickly in April, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

With tough opponents ahead, it is important for LA to come out strong tonight and use this game to quickstart some momentum and strong play.

One day and one game at a time, but it all starts building tonight.

Los Angeles Lineup Notes:

The Kings have ran the same lineup for the previous six games, with no changes expected. There is no word on a starting goalie, but with the two days off, I would expect LA to turn back to Darcy Kuemper.

Look across the ice at the Chicago Blackhawks:

The Blackhawks enter tonight losers of four straight, including a 6-2 loss on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. Here is how they lined up at practice yesterday:

The Blackhawks are led offensively by Connor Bedard, Ryan Donato, and Teuvo Teravainen, all of whom sit just above 50 points on the season.

No word on a starter tonight for Chicago. Based off their platoon setup as of late, I would assume Arvid Soderblom would get the start. Soderblom is 8-16-7 with a 3.14 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

How to Tune In:

Tonight's puck drop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PST and 8:30 p.m. EST and is available to watch on FanDuel Sports Network West, with pregame coverage beginning 30 minutes prior. An audio-only feed is available on the ESPN LA App. Go Kings Go!