Blackhawks at Kings
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks are concluding their road trip against the perfect opponent as they take on the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Chicago lost three of the first four contests on the trek before registering a 6-5 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. A second straight win certainly is attainable as the Blackhawks have won six straight meetings with the Kings and nine of the last 10. Los Angeles, which is beginning a four-game homestand, has posted a 4-1-1 record over its last six contests. Mike Richards has been red hot for the Kings as he enters with a five-game goal-scoring streak and eight tallies in as many matches.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (13-7-3): Chicago trailed by two goals less than 2 1/2 minutes into Friday's contest before Patrick Sharp and captain Jonathan Toews took over. Sharp recorded his second career hat trick and Toews notched a career-high five points. Brent Seabrook returned to the lineup after missing four contests with an injured left leg. The defenseman had a plus-2 rating but was one of three Blackhawks who failed to register a shot on goal.
ABOUT THE KINGS (11-7-4): Los Angeles squandered the chance for its fifth win in six games Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. The Kings carried a 2-0 lead into the third period but allowed a pair of goals, including one by Loui Eriksson with 21 seconds remaining, before yielding the game-winner by Steve Ott 2:56 into overtime. The Kings were 7-0-0 when leading after two periods prior to the loss.
OVERTIME:
1. Sharp's first career hat trick came against the Detroit Red Wings in November 2007.
2. Chicago has earned at least a point in each of its last 10 meetings with Los Angeles as its only loss came on March 10, 2010 in overtime.