Chicago Blackhawks vs. LA Kings: Game 3 Preview, TV Info and Predictions

The defending Stanley Cup champions are on the ropes as they head back to Los Angeles for a Game 3 matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks. This is the second series in which the Kings have gone down 2-0, but the Blackhawks are not the St. Louis Blues.

When the Blues took a 2-0 lead in the first round, it was on the heels of mistakes made by the Kings. So far the Kings have not played to their potential during the Western Conference Final.

The Blackhawks, on the other hand, are a dangerous team that dominated the Kings in Game 2, and the Kings have to hope that their dominance at the Staples Center can help them bounce back.

Viewing Info

Time: Tuesday, June 4, 9 p.m. ET

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles

Series: CHI leads LAK 2-0

TV: NBC Sports Network

Key Storyline

Crawford Is Hot, Quick Is Not

Game 2 was in no way, shape or form similar to Game 1. Game 2 featured domination by the Blackhawks, bad goaltending by Jonathan Quick and a Jonathan Bernier cameo. After surrendering four goals, Quick was yanked from the game. Bernier was perfect in relief, but it isn't a good sign when Quick is pulled because he is off his game.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time in 34 consecutive playoff games that Quick surrendered more than three goals. 

The NBC broadcast team cited fatigue as a potential reason for Quick's bad play, so there is a chance he will bounce back on home ice after some needed rest.

Corey Crawford got the same amount of rest between games that Quick did, but he didn't show any signs of fatigue. The Blackhawks netminder was sensational in Game 2, stopping 29 of 31 shots.

Key Matchup

Drew Doughty and Robyn Regehr vs. Blackhawks' Top Line

Marian Hossa, Bryan Bickell and Jonathan Toews have played well against the Kings so far in the series. The Kings' top defense pairing features Doughty and Regehr, and they will have to neutralize the Blackhawks' top line. Each player on Chicago's top line registered a point in Game 2, and the line helped set the tone offensively.

The Blackhawks have many weapons at their disposal, and if the Kings can neutralize their top guns, they will have an easier time trying to crawl back into the series. Doughty and Regehr will have home ice on their side, and that will allow Darryl Sutter to match lines with last change.

Injury Report (via TSN.com)

Chicago Blackhawks

No injuries.

Los Angeles Kings

Mike Richards: Missed Game 2 with an upper-body injury.

Jake Muzzin: Questionable for Game 3 due to an undisclosed injury.

Blackhawks' Projected Lineup

Forwards

Line 1: Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa

Line 2: Patrick Sharp, Michal Handzus, Patrick Kane

Line 3: Brandon Saad, Marcus Kruger, Michael Frolik

Line 4: Andrew Shaw, Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg

Defensemen 

Line 1: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook

Line 2: Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya

Line 3: Michal Rozsival, Nick Leddy

Goaltenders

Corey Crawford

Ray Emery

Kings' Projected Lineup

Forwards

Line 1: Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams

Line 2: Dwight King, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli

Line 3: Dustin Penner, Jarret Stoll, Trevor Lewis

Line 4: Kyle Clifford, Colin Fraser, Brad Richardson

Defensemen

Line 1: Drew Doughty, Robyn Regehr

Line 2: Alec Martinez, Slava Voynov

Line 3: Matt Greene, Rob Scuderi

Goaltenders

Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Bernier

Blackhawks Will Win If...

The Blackhawks will bring the Kings within one game of elimination if they follow the blueprint they used in Game 2. They must continue to aggressively forecheck, involve the defense while on the rush and continue to take tons of shots.

Chicago peppered Jonathan Quick with shots, and he gave up a few soft goals that helped shift momentum in the Blackhawks' favor. The Blackhawks will look to be the first team in 2013 to hand the Kings a loss at home during the playoffs, and they have the roster to do it.

Kings Will Win If...

The Kings will pull within a game of tying the series if they can execute. Simply put, Game 2 was full of flubbed passes and shots and an abundance of miscommunication. The Kings finally scored a power-play goal, but it came with 1:02 remaining in the third period. The team's offensive effort was not what was needed, and it was a key reason why the Kings lost Game 2.

The Kings have momentum on their side at home, and they will need Quick to return to form. It would also be helpful if the Kings had their top stars scoring, because the Kings have only scored two goals thus far in the series.

If Mike Richards comes back into the lineup, it will provide a huge boost because he is a two-way player that can match up well with many of the Blackhawks' lines.

Prediction

Chicago Blackhawks 3, Los Angeles Kings 1

The Blackhawks dominated the Kings in Game 2, and the only offense the Kings were able to generate after a Jeff Carter goal late in the second was a power-play goal by Tyler Toffoli. Right now the Kings' top guns are not coming through, and a red-hot Corey Crawford isn't making it easier on them.

The Blackhawks will go for the jugular in Game 3, and they won't give the Kings any wiggle room to get back into the series.