Los Angeles (10-5-2) at Chicago (8-5-2)

  • Game info: 8:00 pm EST Mon Nov 9, 2009
  • TV: VS., TSN2

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO, STATS Writer Nov 8, 11:14 pm EST

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A return home could be just what the Chicago Blackhawks need to rebound from a pair of road defeats. Potentially getting captain Jonathan Toews(notes) back from injury could also help.

The Blackhawks hope Toews will be available as they open a four-game homestand Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings, coming off its first regulation loss in nine games.

Chicago (8-5-2) has gone 1-2-1 over its last four games with all three defeats coming on the road. The team lost 4-3 at Colorado on Friday after eight rounds of shootouts ended when right wing Dustin Byfuglien’s(notes) slap shot missed the net. That defeat came a night after a 3-1 loss at Phoenix.

“We have a couple of days off so the back-to-back games aren’t too bad,” right wing Troy Brouwer(notes) said after the Blackhawks blew a 2-0 first-period lead against the Avalanche. “We came out and had a great start, but we weren’t able to maintain it throughout the game.”

The Blackhawks will play four games at home before playing six games in 10 days during their annual road trip caused by the circus at the United Center.

Chicago has capitalized on home-ice advantage, going 6-2-1.

The Blackhawks could have a better chance of improving their home record if Toews can return from concussion-like symptoms stemming from a hard hit by Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell(notes) in the third period of a 3-2 loss on Oct. 21.

Chicago is 3-2-1 without the All-Star center.

Toews, who was nominated for the 2008 Calder Trophy won by teammate Patrick Kane(notes), had a goal and three assists in his last four games after managing one assist in the first five contests of the season. The third overall pick in the 2006 draft led Chicago with 34 goals while adding 35 assists - both career highs - in 2008-09.

Toews has three goals and three assists in four home games against the Kings (10-5-2).

Chicago and Los Angeles split four meetings last season with the home team winning each time. The Blackhawks hold a 5-1-1 advantage in the last seven meetings with the Kings at the United Center.

The Kings are looking to rebound from a listless 3-1 defeat to Nashville on Saturday, two nights after an impressive 5-2 win over reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.

“They beat us from the dots to the boards in every area of the ice,” said coach Terry Murray, whose team had recorded at least one point in each of its previous eight games. “You can’t just play this game on skill alone. It’s about hard work and digging in for 60 minutes. It doesn’t matter who you’re going to play. And emotionally, we didn’t find it here (Saturday).”

Los Angeles is second in the Western Conference with 57 goals, but it has been held to one tally in each of its last four defeats.

Anze Kopitar(notes) has been a major part of the Kings’ offensive success. The center leads the NHL with 27 points and ranks second with 13 goals, one behind Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin.

Kopitar, however, has been quiet in the Kings’ seven losses, scoring one goal with four assists. He has two goals and one assist in five games at Chicago.

The Kings might gain some inspiration Monday from Luc Robitaille, who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Robitaille scored 557 his 668 career goals in a Kings uniform and is currently the club’s president of business operations.

Updated Nov 8, 11:14 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team G W L OTL Pts Standings GF GA Road/Home
Los Angeles 26 14 10 2 30 2nd, Pacific 77 80 9-6-1 Road
Chicago 23 16 5 2 34 1st, Central 77 51 10-2-1 Home

Injuries

Ryan Smyth LW

Adam Burish RW, Dave Bolland C

Notes

The Kings finished 34-37-11 on the season. ... The Kings finished with 79 points this season, eight more than last season and 11 more than 2006-07. ... RW Anze Kopitar finished as Los Angeles' leading scorer for second straight season with 66 points. ... Captain C Dustin Brown won the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the team's MVP. ... Rookie D Drew Doughty won the Mark Bavis Memorial Award as the team's best newcomer, and the Oustanding Defenseman award.

Apr 11, 9:39 pm EDT

The Blackhawks rallied from a three-goal deficit only to ultimately lose for the second time this postseason. Chicago trailed Calgary, 4-1, in Game Four of the conference quarterfinals before scoring three straight goals to forge a tie but dropped a 6-4 decision. ... Chicago mayor Richard Daley made a bet with Vancouver counterpart Gregor Robertson that involved food and drink. "This is a young and exciting team and they play with a lot of confidence," Daley said. "Well, I have a lot of confidence in them and to show how confident I am, I'm making a friendly wager on the series with Mayor Gregor Robertson. We've put together a package of Chicago products that includes just about everything anyone needs to enjoy a Hawks win." ... The Blackhawks went 1-for-3 on the power play while holding the Canucks to one goal on seven chances. ... LW Andrew Ladd was the lone Blackhawk not to register a shot on goal.

May 1, 12:36 am EDT
NHL

28 Comments

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  1. dropthegloves
    28. Posted by dropthegloves Wed Nov 11 12:15pm EST

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    Well, the Kings lost to a good team. I hope they will win on Wed. 11/11/09 which is Veteran's Day. Hurricanes have lost like 12 straight. Now they are without Cam Ward, their starting goalie. They signed Manny Legace, but I don't know if he's going to start tomorrow night. The Kings are 10-6-2 still stuck at 22 points, 4 points behind Pacific Division leader SJ Sharks. I know it's going to be a tough road games. The Canes might snap out of their losing streak. They will play at home tomorrow night. Go Kings! Any way, Dave Bolland is out 3-4 months. Ouch, that's almost the entire season. Plus the rehab and everything, he'll probably be back in Mach 2010. Not good. They are also without Marian Hossa. You're talking about a walking wound. Hossa is a good player, but he can't stay healthy. After he got that huge contract, he didn't play much. What is it? Like 12 years contract or something. I'm a Hawk's fan. I am a King's fan. Kings take on Canes tonight at 4:30pm Pacific. Happy Veteran's Day everybody! Go Kings!
  2. Eric S
    27. Posted by Eric S Tue Nov 10 9:50pm EST

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    It's great to have Toews back. Too bad Bolland is out now. We'll miss him for the next few months. But not as much as we missed Toews.
  3. Agent Girl
    26. Posted by Agent Girl Tue Nov 10 5:13pm EST

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    regarding my previous post sorry about the typing
  4. Agent Girl
    25. Posted by Agent Girl Tue Nov 10 5:12pm EST

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    @ Tim...first of all it's AEG not AIG for a 25 year fan you sure don't know who ows the team. It's ok we don't need fair weather fans, yo ucan go on the Ducks bandwagon.
  5. Agent Girl
    24. Posted by Agent Girl Tue Nov 10 5:09pm EST

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    @ Tim...first of all it's AEG not AIG for a 25 year fan you sure don't know who ows the team. It's ok we don't need fair weather fans, yo ucan go on the Ducks bandwagon.
  6. teachher
    23. Posted by teachher Tue Nov 10 3:42pm EST

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    Kings fan for 40 years. Never get "tired" of losing as long they play hard. Why is always about winning. Either you are a "KING FAN" or your not. If you don't go to the games, more seats available for me. Don't support and don't get on this blog if you are not a fan of the game. Winning comes and goes. Look at the Celtics, look at the Chicago Bulls, look at the Dodgers, they don't win every year but hey at least you can go see them if you want. How'd you like to be a Cub fan who hasn't won in 100 years? 25 years is a drop in the bucket for Cubs fans. But, they are die-hard fans of the team. I admire fans who back their team, win or lose...
  7. dropthegloves
    22. Posted by dropthegloves Tue Nov 10 1:36pm EST

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    Well, the Kings lost to a good team. I hope they will win on Wed. 11/11/09 which is Veteran's Day. Hurricanes have lost like 12 straight. Now they are without Cam Ward, their starting goalie. They signed Manny Legace, but I don't know if he's going to start tomorrow night. The Kings are 10-6-2 still stuck at 22 points, 4 points behind Pacific Division leader SJ Sharks. I know it's going to be a tough road games. The Canes might snap out of their losing streak. They will play at home tomorrow night. Go Kings!
  8. ChiTownHustle
    21. Posted by ChiTownHustle Tue Nov 10 1:20pm EST

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    @MaryAnnE
    So far Kings are improved but your statement kind of sounds like Chicago is easy points. If you think that you must be knew to the sport. Maybe I read that wrong.

    Anyway... Kings need to come back down to reality period...not just after beating Pitt. Even good teams have to lose (like Pitt). Kings have a ways to go. I like the way they have been playing but the 10 wins they have are not a good indicator just yet of where the Kings are going. They have beat 2 first place teams (SJ..who they also lost to, and Pitt). BUT... the rest of their wins...3 teams in dead last in their divisions, then two wins against Dallas and two against Phoenix who are 4th and third in their divisions. Again, win is a win and LA has improved but its not like they are beating SJ and Pitt every night so I wouldn't get too carried away just yet Kings fans.
  9. Jeannie W
    20. Posted by Jeannie W Tue Nov 10 12:45pm EST

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    @ Pete D Really? 9 or 10 more important forwards. OK, i'll give in to your confidence in the roster.God knows I want to believe this year with all the preseason hype! Can't wait for Hossa's debut. That should spread the wealth a bit(no pun intended!). Good to see 19 back in action on a night when the best 19 to ever play the game was honored IMHO.
  10. Tim
    19. Posted by Tim Tue Nov 10 10:47am EST

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    Win or lose you stick with the Kings ? That's just great. It's fans like you that send the message to the kings " hey don't even try to get better. We don't care. We will support a loser forever because we are blind dumb fans."

    I'm a fan also. I'm tired of the Kings losing. I will not support a loser anymore. 25 years is long enough. All my adult life. So go ahead tell AIG keep up the bad work, we don't care.
  11. Pete D
    18. Posted by Pete D Tue Nov 10 10:44am EST

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    @ #16 Jeannie W - I like Bolland, he's a good effort and heart guy, but he's not exactly an integral or irreplaceable piece of the puzzle. If he's healthy he's a 3rd or 4th line center, I can think of at least 9 - 10 forwards on the Blackhawks roster who are more essential to the team than Bolland
  12. DON_DOC_IN
    17. Posted by DON_DOC_IN Tue Nov 10 10:02am EST

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    Toews looked good indeed...............
  13. Jeannie W
    16. Posted by Jeannie W Tue Nov 10 2:26am EST

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    Am I the only Hawk fan concerned about Bolland? There was some talk on Versus about possible back surgery?! That can't be good! He's an important part of the team. Hope all is well. I mean c'mon!! Him back with Hossa?!! The skies the limit!!!
  14. yo yo ma
    15. Posted by yo yo ma Tue Nov 10 2:05am EST

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    Win or Lose L.A. Kings i stick with you
  15. Puck Off EH
    14. Posted by Puck Off EH Tue Nov 10 1:43am EST

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    Yes they do #3, yes they do.
  16. Pete D
    13. Posted by Pete D Tue Nov 10 1:18am EST

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    It's amazing how much getting Toews and Eager back energized the whole squad - just imagine how much more dangerous the offense is gonna be when Hossa returns in a couple of weeks!
  17. MaryAnn E
    12. Posted by MaryAnn E Tue Nov 10 12:23am EST

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    Kings need to come back down to earth after the big win against Pittsburgh. I would have rather
    the Kings lose to Pittsburgh and win against Nashville and Chicago. We need the points.
  18. Dutch
    11. Posted by Dutch Mon Nov 9 11:47pm EST

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    Kings were as bad during that 10 minute stretch of the 3rd as they were good last week vs. the Penguins. Road loss to a good team, can live with that. Need to buckle down and take advantage of a reeling Carolina club sans their best players along with some other SE division squads with similar issues. Need at least 6 points on this trip. Go Kings.
  19. Paul T
    10. Posted by Paul T Mon Nov 9 11:06pm EST

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    Kings rule the Southla......errrrr....guess not. 'Hawks get 2 players back that haven't played due to concussion....you'd think they'd be rusty....but no....not against the vaunted kings. lol
  20. Jason K
    9. Posted by Jason K Mon Nov 9 11:03pm EST

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    Yessssir.... It's gonna be a great year once they're firing on all cylinders. It's good to have one great team in Chicago!!!! Go Hawks!!!
  21. Muktuk
    8. Posted by Muktuk Mon Nov 9 10:37pm EST

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    HAWKS!! Good to have Toews back. The Hossa factor is going to eat opponents. This one's in the books.
  22. the critic
    7. Posted by the critic Mon Nov 9 8:23pm EST

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    Doing a little Dave Taylor homework.. He drafted Dustin Brown, Anze Kops, and Frolov Nice job Dave.. and Kops is only 22 years old sweeeeeeettt,,,,
  23. kingsrule
    6. Posted by kingsrule Mon Nov 9 6:10pm EST

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    Go Kings!!!!!!
  24. Brian S (brianguy)
    5. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Mon Nov 9 5:41pm EST

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    go Kings
  25. vmanota
    4. Posted by vmanota Mon Nov 9 5:24pm EST

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    Go leafs go
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