Crawford, Blackhawks blank Kings
CHICAGO -- Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa scored goals, and Corey Crawford made 32 saves as the Chicago Blackhawks shut out the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 Sunday night at the United Center.
Anisimov's second-period goal gave the Blackhawks a two-goal advantage. Anisimov took a perfect pass from Hossa and shoveled the puck into an yawning cage with Kings goalie Peter Budaj's focus on Hossa.
Anisimov's goal extended his career-best scoring streak to seven games, a stretch in which he has all six of his goals.
Hossa, who was honored by the Blackhawks (5-3-1) in a pregame ceremony for his 500th career goal, finished off the scoring with an empty-net goal with just more than a minute remaining.
Budaj, who finished with 26 saves, kept Los Angeles within a goal until Anisimov's finish with 13:30 remaining in the second. He stonewalled Richard Panik on a one-on-one chance early in the second before he stopped rookie Tyler Motte, who weaved through the Kings' defense and had a golden chance to add to the Blackhawks' advantage.
Crawford kept Los Angeles (4-5-0) off the board, turning away every shot he saw as the Kings lost for the second straight night after reeling off four straight victories.
Crawford faced a late flurry of shots in the third period with the Kings scurrying to get on the board.
Chicago grabbed an early 1-0 lead just under seven minutes into the first period when Toews scored on the power play. The goal was Toews' first of the season and ended the second longest drought of his career without a goal to start the season. Toews also had an assist on Hossa's empty-netter.
NOTES: Kings G Peter Budaj started again in net and faced the Blackhawks for the first time since April 9, 2014, when he was with Montreal. ... RW Teddy Purcell and C Nick Shore were scratched for the Kings. ... Blackhawks F Andrew Desjardins (lower body injury) skated Sunday morning. Desjardins has not played this season after being injured in Chicago's preseason finale. Coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday that Desjardins could return as early as next weekend. "Conditioning is part of it, but also, you've go to make sure the injury is fully healed and you're ready," Quenneville said. ... D Gustav Forsling (upper-body injury) missed his second straight game. Quenneville said the rookie possibly could return Tuesday against Calgary. ... The Blackhawks honored RW Marian Hossa pregame for his 500th career NHL goal. ... Rookie F Ryan Hartman and D Trevor Van Reimsdyk were scratched for Chicago.