Kings 5, Blackhawks 4
CHICAGO -- Dustin Brown's 12th goal of the season at 18:33 of the third period proved to be the winner as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 on Monday night in front of 21,850 at the United Center.
While Los Angeles broke its two-game losing streak, Chicago suffered its second consecutive loss and the third in its last six games.
The defending Stanley Cup champions used their trademark pressing offense to keep Chicago on its heels and on defense for much of the game, outshooting the Blackhawks 36-25, including a lopsided 17-9 in the third period.
The loss took away much of the luster of two goals by Chicago's Michael Frolik.
Frolik scored his second and third goals of the season in the first and second periods, and teammates Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews gave him backup support with goals of their own.
In addition to Brown's winner, Los Angeles also had goals from Anze Kopitar, Jarret Stoll, Dwight King and Tyler Toffoli, whose third-period goal tied the score 4-4.
With the loss, Chicago falls to 24-4-3. The Kings improved to 18-12-2.
The Blackhawks took a 4-3 lead early in the third period when Frolik looked like he might score a hat trick. But Frolik's shot fell short and right onto Toews' stick, who pushed the puck into the net at 3:51, making it a 4-3 Chicago advantage.
Los Angeles played a stifling defense and relentless offense that continued to chip away at the Blackhawks, tying the score at 4 at 8:06 on Toffoli's second goal of the season.
Frolik went to the penalty box at 12:27 of the final period, giving the Kings a man advantage, but Chicago's penalty-killing unit did its job in keeping the Kings from scoring again.
After falling behind 2-1 in the second period, the Blackhawks tied the score at 2 on Frolik's long-distance slap shot from just inside the blue line. It was Frolik's second goal of the game and third overall of the season.
And with just 40 seconds remaining in the second period, Kane scored his team-leading 17th goal of the season, putting the Blackhawks ahead 3-2.
Just when it looked as if Chicago would take the lead into the locker room, Los Angeles' King had other ideas, pushing a shot past outstretched Chicago goalie Corey Crawford to tie the score with a half-second remaining.
It was King's fourth goal of the season and part of a 12-5 advantage in shots for the Kings during the second period.
The Blackhawks got on the scoreboard first at 5:55 of the first period when Frolik's slap shot from between the circles beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick ... or in this case, not so quick.
Frolik nailed his second goal of the season on a picture-perfect play. Kane earned the draw on a faceoff in the Kings' right circle, passed it to Brandon Saad near the blue line, and Saad fed a perfect pass to Frolik, who wound up and hammered the puck home.
Chicago had another chance to add to its lead when Kings center Mike Richards was sent to the penalty box for four minutes for high sticking just past the midpoint of the first period. But the Kings' penalty kill was spot-on and Chicago could not take advantage of the extra-man situation.
Los Angeles tied the score at 4:21 of the second period on Kopitar's 10th goal of the season, an unassisted effort.
Just over 30 seconds later, Kane drew an uncharacteristic boarding penalty, but the Kings weren't able to capitalize.
At 7:25 of the second period, Stoll scored his seventh goal of the season -- short-handed, no less -- putting the Kings ahead 2-1.
The Blackhawks came into Monday's game having won the first two of the three regular-season meetings between the clubs.
NOTES: Monday began a stretch that will see the Blackhawks play 11 of their last 18 regular-season games at home. They host Calgary on Tuesday and Anaheim on Friday before playing Sunday at Detroit. ... Monday marked the first of a five-game road trip for the
Kings. Including Monday's game, the Kings will play 10 of their last 17 regular-season games away from Los Angeles. ... Chicago came into Monday's game leading the overall series with Los Angeles 81-76-22.
