Follow usAnze Kopitar netted two goals, while Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex Laferriere, and Jordan Spence each contributed a goal and an assist, propelling the visiting Los Angeles Kings to a commanding 5-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
The Kings wasted no time establishing their dominance, scoring four goals in the first period, forcing Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom out of the net and solidifying their position in third place in the Pacific Division.
Despite a recent surge in offensive output from the Blackhawks, with two consecutive wins and seven goals scored in back-to-back games for the first time since November 1992, they were unable to find the back of the net against the stout Kings defense.
Cam Talbot was stellar between the pipes for the Kings, turning away all 28 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the season, his first since December 7th, and the 31st of his career.
Dubois got the Kings on the board early with a power-play goal, followed by Laferriere extending the lead just minutes later with a redirection past Soderblom. Kopitar then capitalized on defensive lapses from the Blackhawks to notch two goals in quick succession, sending Soderblom to the bench.
Chicago’s Andreas Athanasiou came close to scoring on a power play, hitting the post, but the Blackhawks struggled to convert, finishing 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
Spence sealed the victory for the Kings in the second period, deflecting a tough-angle shot past Petr Mrazek, who replaced Soderblom in net for Chicago. Mrazek stopped 22 of 23 shots in relief but couldn’t prevent the Kings from securing a dominant win on the road.
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