A captain returns; Kings fall
CHICAGO - Jonathan Toews and Troy Brouwer scored power-play goals in a span of 3 minutes, 31 seconds early in the third period last night, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Toews had been out with a concussion since Vancouver's Willie Mitchell leveled him on Oct. 21. The Blackhawks lost three of six games without their captain, who had a team-high 34 goals last season.
Anze Kopitar scored his 14th goal for the Kings, tying injured Washington star Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead. Although Los Angeles ranks third in the league with 58 goals, it has scored only once in each of its last two games, both losses. Los Angeles' skid followed a 6-0-2 stretch that put the Kings near the top of the Western Conference standings.
The Blackhawks held the Kings to 18 shots, including two in the third period.
It was a 1-1 game until 1:33 of the third period, when Brouwer, standing to the right of goalie Jonathan Quick, deflected Patrick Sharp's pass into the net.
At 5:04, Sharp poked the puck away from defenseman Matt Greene in the left circle, and Brouwer fed Toews, who scored on a backhander from the slot.
Toews, who also was on the ice for Brouwer's goal, energized a Chicago power play that had converted on only three of its last 33 attempts.
The Blackhawks had scored only four man-advantage goals at home all season.
Los Angeles 0 1 0 – 1
Chicago 0 1 3 – 4
First period: None. Penalties: Brown, LA (diving), 17:51; Eager, Chi (interference), 17:51.
Second period: 1, Chicago, Madden 2 (Brouwer, Keith), 1:04. 2, Los Angeles, Kopitar 14 (Doughty, Williams), 9:10. Penalties: Scuderi, LA (interference), 19:55.
Third period: 3, Chicago, Brouwer 4 (Sharp, Keith), 1:33 (pp). 4, Chicago, Toews 2 (Brouwer, Sharp), 5:04 (pp). 5, Chicago, Ebbett 1 (B.Campbell, Kane), 9:20. Penalties: Kopitar, LA (hooking), 4:47; Sopel, Chi (interference), 6:35; Handzus, LA (hooking), 13:41; Madden, Chi (holding stick), 18:31.
Shots on Goal: Los Angeles 11-5-2–18. Chicago 13-6-10–29.
Power-play opportunities: Los Angeles 0 of 2; Chicago 2 of 3.
Goalies: Los Angeles, Quick 10-5-2 (29 shots-25 saves). Chicago, Huet 6-4-1 (18-17).
A: 20,293 (19,717). T: 2:21.
Referees: Tom Kowal, Dennis LaRue. Linesmen: Dan Schachte, Derek Amell.
