Chicago Blackhawks @ Los Angeles Kings (9:00pm ET)
TV: TSN, RDS, NBCSN
Series: 2-0 Chicago
It's a little bit of deja vu for the Kings tonight, coming back home down 2-0 just as they were in the first round against the Blues. LA managed to win four straight to take the series, but they're facing a much different opponent this time. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who is leading the post-season in every major goaltending category, was chased after allowing four goals for the first time all playoffs in game two. How he bounces back tonight against the dynamic offense of the Blackhawks will go a long way to determining the fate of the 2013 Kings. LA needs to be better on both sides of the puck, specifically on offense. Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards still only have 2 goals each in the post-season, and the latter may not even play tonight after missing game two with an undisclosed injury. As for the Hawks, they've picked up right where they left off the Detroit series and have won five in a row. Not coincidentally, Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus have five game scoring streaks, while Patrick Sharp has scored three points in the two games versus LA. The Hawks are getting production from all over the lineup, and great goaltending from Corey Crawford, who has allowed only three goals in two games. If the Kings want to avoid an insurmountable hole, they have to play their best game of the season tonight. It's as simple as that.
Prediction: 2-1 Kings.
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