Los Angeles, CA

Forward Marian Hossa scored the game-winner 70 seconds into the third period as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2, for a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Final at Staples Center.

With the victory, the Blackhawks snapped the Kings' 15-game winning streak at home dating back to March 23, and more importantly, put them on the brink of a second Stanley Cup Final appearance in three years.

"I thought today we battled from the beginning to the end," Hossa said. "We found a way to score goals. We are glad that we got one win in this building."

"They're a great team at home. You can see that from the record they've had. It's definitely nice to steal one in their building," said forward Patrick Kane, whose tally late in the second period tied the game at 2-2.

Bryan Bickell scored his eighth playoff goal while Corey Crawford had 19 saves for the Blackhawks, who can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final with a win in Game 5 on Saturday before an expected jampacked crowd at United Center.

"We've got one game at a time, we're going home, we'll be excited," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I'm sure the building will be as loud as it's ever been, and we're looking forward to it."

Chicago got the win despite playing without top defenseman, Duncan Keith, who was suspended by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his high-stick on Kings center Jeff Carter in Game 3.

Jonathan Quick tallied 25 saves while Slava Voynov and Dustin Penner scored for the Kings, who are 1-7 on the road in the postseason.

"Just one game at a time, that's it; that's what you've got to approach it as," Kings defenseman Matt Greene said. "You've got to learn from your mistakes in this one and move on, and go to Chicago and win a game."

Voynov scored on Los Angeles' second shot of the game 3:28 into the first period but Bickell tied the game at 1-1 with a wrist shot that went past Quick's catching glove with 6:44 remaining before intermission.

Penner gave the Kings a 2-1 lead 2:12 into the second period with his first goal since Game 6 of the conference quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues.

However, Kane scored his first goal since Game 3 of the conference semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings with 1:39 remaining in the period to tie the game at 2-2.

 

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Marian Hossa Scores Game-winner as Blackhawks Take 3-1 lead