Kings Get Back on Track, Beat Blackhawks 2-1

The Los Angeles Kings were in desperate need for a win over the Chicago Blackhawks and were able to get the job done. Beating the Blackhawks 2-1 Sunday night.

Period 1:

The Kings came out ready to play, dominating from puck drop.

After a few decent chances, Jaret Anderson-Dolan sent Kevin Fiala in behind the Blackhawks' defense, a chance that Petr Mrazek turned aside. But, Anderson-Dolan followed up on the rebound and finished off the play into an open net. 

The Kings continued to dominate the period, allowing just three shots against in the first. 

The Kings solved their goaltending issues in this game by not allowing shots against, and not forcing Pheonix Copley to make many saves.

The expected goals after one period were 1.14 for the Kings and 0.606 for the Blackhawks.

Period 2:

The Kings continued to dominate play in the second period, eventually taking a 2-0 lead after Anderson-Dolan grabbed his second of the game. 

Kevin Fiala sent a feed to Anderson-Dolan in the slot and Anderson-Dolan shoveled the puck above Mrazek's shoulder and in.

The Kings had a few nice chances to take a three-goal lead, but couldn't finish.

Young players shined in the second, with Quinton Byfield setting up Adrian Kempe for a grade-A chance that Kempe couldn't quite bury. And Alex Turcotte poked a puck on net off the rush, nearly grabbing his first career goal.  

The Kings allowed just seven shots in the second, bringing the Blackhawks' two-period total to 10. While the Kings finished with 21, outshooting your opponent two-to-one is usually a recipe for success.

The expected goals after two periods were 2.47 for the Kings and 1 for the Blackhawks.

Period 3:

After collapsing in the third period against Nashville on Saturday, the Kings were looking for a shut down third period. 

They had to know the Blackhawks would make a big push and needed to be ready for it.

The Kings continued to get their chances, but Mrazek stood tall, stopping a few grade-A chances.

Things got nervy late for the Kings, with Ian Mitchell beating Copley just over three minutes left to break the shutout and bring the game to within one goal. The King's second line was caught in a long shift and allowed Mitchell too much time in the slot.

The Kings missed twice on the empty net, giving the Blackhawks life.

A late power play with 22 seconds left made things interesting, but Anze Kopitar blocked a Seth Jones one-timer, sending the puck all the way down the ice to end the game.

In a bounce-back performance, Copley allowed just one goal on 19 shots. Finishing with 1.27 goals saved above expected.

The Kings play next against the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday.