The Chicago Blackhawks traveled to the West Coast to face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. Unfortunately for the visiting team, they fell just short in a 2–1 overtime loss. Here are your Rink One-timers:
- The Blackhawks’ lone goal was of the power play variety by Taylor Raddysh. It is nice to see what can happen when you move the puck. It makes you wonder what their power play could have been in past years if they were not so stuck on the slow methodical method for so long.
- Goaltender Petr Mrazek made his return from injured reserve and gave the Blackhawks a chance to steal a road win. Mrazek made 33 saves, including 12 stops in the third period.
- Chicago absolutely clowned the Kings at the face-off dot. They won 68% in all situations, with Jonathan Toews winning a cartoonish 86%. Toews also led the Blackhawks with six shots on net. If Toews keeps playing like this, Kyle Davidson might actually get something of value for him at the trade deadline.
- Former Blackhawks prospect Phillip Danault bit his former team with a game-tying goal early in the second period. Kings forward Kevin Fiala scored the game-winner with 1.4 seconds remaining in overtime.
- The Blackhawks’ 27th-ranked penalty kill held the Kings scoreless while their 12th-ranked power play scored that aforementioned first-period goal.
- Luke Richardson’s team is continuing its blue-collar physical style, and it has been shockingly successful.
🏒 The Blackhawks stay in California to face the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday evening. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. CST.