Kings Reign in Chicago, Win 5-4

Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

By Kelsie Plesac

The Blackhawks fell to the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings, 5-4 Monday night at the United Center. The 1st place Blackhawks and the 6th place Kings faced off for the third time this season, with the Blackhawks topping the Kings in their previous two meetings.

After 5:58 in the 1st period Michael Frolik tallied his first goal since the Blackhawks’ season opener in January to put the Blackhawks up 1-0, which remained the score for the rest of the first. But at 4:21 of the 2nd period Anze Kopitar tied up the score, registering his 10th goal of the season. The Kings would take the lead in the period with 7:25 after a short-handed goal by Jarret Stoll. At 14:31 Frolik answered with his 2nd goal of the game and 3rd of the season. The goal was assisted by Duncan Keith and the captain, Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks then took the lead at 19:20 with a Patrick Kane goal. The Blackhawks would not have much time to celebrate, however. In the final second of the period Dwight King registered his 4th goal of the season, giving the Kings a lead heading into the 3rd period.

After 3:51 in the 3rd period Toews put the Blackhawks ahead with his 16th goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Keith and Frolik. The Kings would tie the game at 8:06 before taking the lead and the game with Dustin Brown’s go-ahead goal with 1:27 remaining.

The Blackhawks are still without Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa and will be without the two for Tuesday night’s game against the Calgary Flames at the United Center.