Game 62: Blackhawks 4, Kings 2

This was a game of two teams filled young and upcoming players who will make an impact on the futures of their respective clubs. Both the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks have offered glimpses of what's to come in the near future, with talented youth up and down the rosters.

I was at Smooth's in Long Beach, along with over 50 other crazed Kings fans for our LetsGoKings/Hockeywood Insider Watch Party, and the assembled throngs were aching for a win.

Good thing we were treated to Happy Hour prices by Smooth's outstanding owner John Morris, because we were going to need it. The Hawks scored early, and the Kings battled from behind the rest of the way.

L.A.'s continued stumbling out of the gate has haunted them all season. Sunday's game was no different. It seems to me this road trip is a stark contrast from previous trips, as the club seems out of focus. All the hullabaloo made about the Kings and how they are now a team to watch, have tipped off other teams now.

Teams that may have discounted the Kings' chances earlier in the season are giving them extra attention, and the club has failed to respond. Case in point, the Kings have beaten the Blackhawks twice this season, by repeated scores of 5-2 at Staples. Sunday, the Hawks rolled out their A game, outshooting the Kings and consistantly winning more faceoffs.

Some have stated that center Anze Kopitar needs to win more faceoffs, myself included. He's on one of the two top lines every night. He needs to win more of his faceoffs to make his line more offensive, rather than start back on their heels. In his defense, Kopitar has been asked to completely revamp his game, being asked by coach Terry Murray to become a better two-way player. Anze's got a lot on his plate, forechecking, backchecking, fact checking... oh wait, that's my job.

So here's something I didn't know until five minutes ago: Kopitar's faceoff percentage has actually improved every season. From 46.1% in 2006-07, to 49.2% in 2007-08, to 50.7% this season. So while it seems Kopitar's not getting it done in the faceoff circle, he's actually getting better. He's just getting overshadowed by Jarret Stoll, currently ranked 8th in the NHL, and Michel Handzus, who is tied at 21st with four other players.

Does Sunday's game put a nail in the Kings' playoff hopes? Absolutely not. But they are not doing themselves favors by coming out flaccid in the first period. And as much as everyone keeps pointing it out, it's the team that has to respond. Every game from here on out really impacts the team making the playoffs, more so than in seasons past.

I found myself really starting to stress out, watching the Kings playing Sunday. I was pacing and chewing on my thumb, anxious to hear the crowd at Smooth's erupt in cheers. We were 3-0 coming into Sunday's game, a streak ended as well. It really didn't matter, because everyone seemed to have a good time. The food was outstanding, everyone was amped to be there and it went well. If you didn't go, you missed out.

• AP: Niemi backstops Hawks to win over Kings in first NHL start

''We responded just OK,'' Kings coach Terry Murray said. ''There's a great need to a lot of desperation right now in our schedule and our games. Getting down makes it really hard, especially in this building.

• Daily News: Kings slipping and sliding

When the Kings began their five-game road trip with a victory last week, there was hope a playoff spot in the Western Conference could be theirs for the taking.
After Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center, the Kings' new goal is not to reach rock bottom in the conference. 

• Yahoo: Team report

Chicago goalie Antti Niemi made his first career NHL start Sunday, but the Kings did little to make him nervous. The Kings allowed two even-strength goals in the game’s first 6 minutes, 18 seconds and once again had to try to scramble to tie the game late. The Kings fell to 2-21-4 when trailing after the second period and were outshot 38-24.

They said it

''We kind of shot ourselves in the foo. That first period wasn't good at all. When you fall behind right away, it kind of kills the motivation right off the hop.'' – Anze Kopitar, Kings center

Looking through purple-hued goggles

• The Royal Half: 20 to go

But they are hanging on by a thread right now... 6 points out with 20 games to play. 20 games in which this team has to decide what they want to be doing in April... playing hockey or playing golf. This team isn't getting blown out in these games, not in the least. These are games they could be winning. But with an extremely important game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Kings must get this 20 game stretch off with a bang and not a whimper.

• The Throne Room: What now?

As frustrated as I am about the results of this road trip, it’s not as if I can rightfully lambaste the Kings for playing completely poorly the last 3 games. Each of them has been competitive if not close, the difference a matter of bounces. As disgusted I am that the playoffs seem this close and the team is all the sudden coming up short (especially in the goal scoring department), it’s not as if the Kings are mailing it in right now.

• Frozen Royalty: Let's put it all together

Vastly improved defensive zone coverage, along with solid goaltending from Erik Ersberg and rookie Jonathan Quick, have been the most significant factors in the Kings improvement this season. But the team has been inconsistent offensively throughout the season and that problem has been magnified more than ever during their current 1-3-0 road swing.

• Inside Hockey: Kings could use some work at center

Now, more than ever, they need that raw talent to become skilled players, as they have very good talent waiting in the wings, and even playing on the big team night in and night out. So here we go, the top five LA Kings’ prospects at the center position:

• Bleacher Report: Drew Doughty: Calder contender?

Anyone who has seen the Los Angeles Kings this season can see not only how special of a player Drew Doughty is going to be, but how special he already is.  Every night he is facing the opposing team's best players—the Crosbys, Ovechkins, Iginlas, and the Kovalchuks—and he is shutting them down.

From across the aisle, the Chicago view

• Chicago Tribune: Chicago Blackhawks defeat Los Angeles Kings 4-2

• Chicago Tribune: Goalie Antti Niemi 'nervous' but wins 1st NHL start

• Chicago Sun-Times: First time's a charm for goaltender Niemi

• Second City Hockey: It's good to be(at) the Kings

Who would have guessed that after a first period that included 5 goals off 23 shots, 5 penalties and a fight... we'd be in for such a quiet and boring game?

• Hockee Night: Rebound: Hawks 4, Kings 2

With rookie Antti Niemi in goal, the Blackhawks played their game and finally got a win against LA, breaking their first 3 game losing streak since back in November.  Also, no one scored a hat trick, which is good, because the first 10,000 fans to the United Center today received an authentic WWI-era German Army helmet.

• The Fifth Feather: Blackhawks 4, Kings 2

Dustin Byfuglien gave the ‘Hawks their fourth of the night on a slap shot from the top of the circles.  The shot came off a Kings turnover, and the failed transition gave Big Buff a couple seconds to set off his bomb of a slap shot.  It beat a disappointed Quick, likely only because he was too scared to keep his eyes open.  (The shot is just plain scary.)

• Ghost of Ed Litzenberger: Blackhawks 4, Kings 2

Peeping the dailies