In Chicago Monday night, Scott Darling made 31 saves and backstopped the Blackhawks to a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
Despite playing in the back end of two-games-in-two-nights the Hawks were clearly the better team and severely damaged the Kings playoff push.
Marian Hossa had a goal and assist in win over LA – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“The last two games I thought we played much better defensively, especially in the neutral zone,” said right wing Marian Hossa. “We played more patient and more together, so there was a huge difference.”
The Kings now trail the Flames by three points after Calgary won Monday night on the road.
“We need points and we didn’t get any tonight, so at the end of the day we go home,” captain Dustin Brown said. “First thing we have to do is take care of business at home. It’s not where we want to be, but [we] can’t sit here and feel bad for ourselves. We have to go out and play. We still have a chance, so that’s what I think guys in this room have been really good at, is realizing that the opportunity is there.”
The Blackhawks are playing for position in the Central Division and came out with a strong game from the opening face-off.
“We try to play hard every night, but obviously when you know you’ve got the Stanley Cup champions coming into your barn and [have] a chance to destroy some of their momentum of trying to get into the playoffs, that’s something that you want to do,” said Chicago defenseman Johnny Oduya. “For us, it was just trying to play hard and get points.”
After a strong push in early March, the Kings have faded, especially the offense.
“You have to win games,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. “You have to win out. You don’t lose in. You win in, in this League, especially the way the divisions are set up.”
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