Blackhawks-Kings: Poor First Two Periods Doom Chicago in Los Angeles

The Chicago Blackhawks had a difficult time trying to get their offense rolling against rookie goaltender Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings as the Blackhawks fell, 5-2, Thursday in Los Angeles.

Early on, there was not much scoring or scoring chances for that matter. It was a very back-and-forth game, but that would change as the first period went on. Dustin Brown of the Kings would be the first to make it on the score sheet with a power play goal at the 5:13 mark.

Just under two minutes after Brown's goal, the Kings once again found the score sheet, as Jared Stoll would capitalize on a poor Blackhawks turnover to make the score 2-0 at the end of the first.

The second period would not be much better for Chicago, as it was unable to penetrate the Kings' zone consistently and it was Los Angeles which was on the offensive for most of the period. 

Even when the Blackhawks got their only power play of the period, it was the Kings would would capitalize. Patrick O'Sullivan smacked a wicked wrist shot past Cristobal Huet to make it a 3-0 game. The second would end 3-0 but in the third period, the Blackhawks offense would come out firing.

It would start with the first shift by Troy Brouwer, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. They put a few pucks on net and gave the Blackhawks the momentum for the rest of the period. The 'Hawks would crack the score sheet seven minutes into the third, as Dave Bolland one-timed a puck past Jonathan Quick to keep Chicago in the game at 3-1.

Just over 30 seconds later, Kyle Quincey of the Kings stole the puck from Martin Havlat, leading to a Alexander Frolov goal.

However, even with the Kings holding a 4-1 lead, the 'Hawks didn't quit.

A little more than two minutes later, Patrick Sharp once again made it a two-goal game as he beat Quick with another one-timer.

The 'Hawks continued to put pucks on the net and control play, but it just wasn't enough as Jonathan Quick was spectacular in the final five minutes.  The Kings added an empty-net goal to seal the win for L.A.

What we have learned from Thursday's game is that the 'Hawks must play with high intensity for the entire three periods in order to be successful.

In the 'Hawks last 10 games (a 4-5-1 record), they have struggled to start the game with a high intensity level, but their intensity would show up late in the game. If the 'Hawks can figure out how to play intensely for three whole periods, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the second half of the season.

Three Star of the Game

1. Dustin Brown (Two Goals, One Assist)

2. Jared Stoll (One Goal)

3. Brian Campbell (Two Assists)

Michael Wagner's Player of the Game

Troy Brouwer

I have been very critical of Troy Brouwer in the past, but Thursday's game made me believe that Brouwer really does deserve to still be with this team. Brouwer looked great on every shift, putting shots on net, winning fights in the corners and bringing tons of energy every shift.

Brouwer did miss on a few opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net, but if he continues to play the way he did Thursday, he will eventually find the back of the net. 

Next Game

The Chicago Blackhawks continue their road trip Saturday at the Shark Tank as they take on the San Jose Sharks, the Western Conference's best team. The 'Hawks have had two very good games against the Sharks this season, a 6-5 loss at the United Center and a 3-2 overtime loss at the Shark Tank.

News and Notes

Kris Versteeg is still day-to-day with a hand/finger injury and will likely not be in the lineup against the Sharks Saturday. Versteeg has 13 goals and 23 assists in 44 games this season.