Chicago, IL

The Chicago Blackhawks scored two quick goals in the second period en route to a 2-1 victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at United Center.

Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa scored less than four minutes apart while Corey Crawford tallied 21 saves as the Blackhawks improved to 6-0 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when leading after two periods.

"I thought we played really well," Crawford said. "We had a lot of chances on net. We were moving the puck well and we were collapsing well in the [defensive] zone too."

The Blackhawks' League-best penalty kill did its job in the third period, holding the Kings scoreless to preserve the win. Chicago is now 42-for-43 on the penalty kill in the playoffs.

"Going into the series, we knew it was going to be physical and our strength is our speed," Chicago forward Bryan Bickell said. "If we get first guys to the puck, win board battles and on the blues … hopefully we can carry it on into tomorrow now."

Jonathan Quick stopped 34 of 36 shots while Justin Williams scored the Kings' lone goal with 5:37 left in the first period.

The Kings now have six losses in the playoffs this year -- all by a 2-1 margin. They are 1-6 on the road after going 10-1 last spring on the way to the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

"We put ourselves in a tough position; we didn't play very good in the first half of the game," Kings center Anze Kopitar said. "We have to clean that up and come out stronger tomorrow."

Despite being held to two shots in the first period, the Kings took a 1-0 lead on Williams' deflection goal with 5:37 left. The goal was Williams' fifth in the playoffs.

Sharp scored his eighth goal of the playoffs off a rebound from the slot at the 12:29 mark to tie the game at 1-1 before Hossa netted his sixth of the postseason with a tip-in from the slot 3:53 later to give the Blackhawks the lead.

"We were able to get two quick ones there in the second period and that was enough to hold on," Sharp said.

 

Article: Copyright ©, iHaveNet.com

Blackhawks Score Two Quick Goals, Edge Kings in Series Opener