Blackhawks 4, Kings 1
Defensemen Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored 64 seconds apart early in the second period as host Chicago moved within one point of second-place St. Louis in the Central Division.
Marian Hossa collected a goal and an assist while Bryan Bickell also tallied for the Blackhawks, who won their second straight overall and two of three in the season series against Los Angeles. Brandon Saad notched an assist to extend his point streak to four games and Scott Darling finished with 31 saves in his first start since March 18.
Defenseman Jake Muzzin scored the lone goal for the Kings, who have dropped two straight and fell three points behind third-place Calgary in the Pacific Division. Jonathan Quick turned aside 36 shots as Los Angeles remained two points in back of Winnipeg for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
With Kings blue-liner Andrej Sekera serving a roughing penalty, Chicago cashed in on its second power-play opportunity as Keith's one-timer from the point sailed past a screened Quick 1:37 into the second period to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 edge. Chicago kept up the intensity as Hjalmarsson skated into the right faceoff circle and wired a shot under the crossbar just over a minute later before Hossa's sharp wrist shot from the left circle with 6:54 remaining in the third capped the scoring.
Saad skated out from behind the net and into the slot before wristing a shot that caromed off the left skate of Bickell and inside the right post 5 1/2 minutes into the contest to open the scoring. The Kings answered with 32 seconds left in the first session, when Muzzin's shot from along the left-wing boards sailed between the pads of Darling.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hjalmarsson's goal accounted for his 100th career point. ... Saad, who has collected one goal and three assists during his point streak, was sandwiched by Los Angeles D Drew Doughty and LW Kyle Clifford late in the first period. He retreated to the locker room but returned to start the second session. ... Chicago LW Teuvo Teravainen registered a team-high eight shots on goal while C Andrew Shaw was the only member of the Blackhawks without at least one.