Late Goal gives Kings the Edge over Blackhawks

photo from bigstory.ap.org

Three times the Blackhawks had a lead in LA last night, and three times the Kings tied it right back up, before a late goal by Jake Muzzin gave them their first lead of the night, and that's all they needed.


The Blackhawks started strong, with an early goal by Patrick Kane, and a second on the power play by Patrick Sharp, giving them a 2-1 lead to take into the second period. The Blackhawks lead the league in first period goals, with fifty four. They've been strong starters all season, but at times they seem to have trouble playing a full sixty minutes. They got outshot in the third period, and the Kings took advantage, scoring two goals on Corey Crawford and hanging on to their 4-3 lead for the rest of the period.

Andrew Shaw scored his third goal in three games, with a beautiful assist from rookie Teuvo Teravainen. That pairing seems to be developing some real chemistry together, and Teravainen is looking really strong, collecting his fourth point in five games. Shaw is looking stronger than he has so far this season after being moved back to wing to open up a spot at center for Teravainen. It's allowing him to play more along the boards, and with Teravainen worrying about the defensive responsibility of that line, Shaw can go even deeper into the offensive zone. They play well together, and with Daniel Carcillo out of the line up for the next two games and Kris Versteeg still a while away form returning, Teravainen has some time to keep building that chemistry and potentially solidify his role on the third line for the remainder of the season.

Patrick Kane is tied for second in the NHL in points, only four behind the leading scorer, Jakub Voracek. His goal and assist last night give him fifteen multi point games this season and put him on pace for ninety points on the season, two above his career high of eighty eight. It's looking more and more like it doesn't matter who he plays with, Kane is going to produce. It'll be nice for him to get Kris Versteeg back on left wing with him though; Versteeg has been Kane's most successful linemate of the season, and with Brad Richards quietly putting up a handful of points too, that second line could give any team's first line and top defence pairing a run for it's money. Chicago's top line didn't produce last night, but they were looking dangerous, Brandon Saad especially, he and Marian Hossa fighting their way through three or four Kings single handedly at times and still managing to get a shot on goal, or at least a shot attempt.

My Three Stars of the Game

3. Patrick Kane. Kane's goal and assist are just another two points in an already impressive season. He's far and away the leading scorer for the Blackhawks, and he's seventh in goals in the entire NHL, tenth in assists, and tied for second in points. It's impressive in anyone's book, but just another season for Kane, who's spoken about how the points aren't as important as being consistent in his game. Fifty three points in forty eight games seems pretty consistent to me, though.

2. Jake Muzzin. Muzzin's game winner was a beauty, dragged along the blue line before he fires it just under Corey Crawford's glove. With the Kings' defence core missing guys like Slava Voynov, and Robin Regehr only recently returned to the lineup, they need the younger guys like Muzzin to be able to chip in and take some of Drew Doughty's heavy minutes.

1. Jeff Carter. Carter had two goals and very nearly had the hat trick on a shorthanded break in the second period, if not for an outstanding stop from Corey Crawford. The Kings are unbeaten this season when he has a multipoint game.

Next game: January 30th, vs. Ducks