2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Game 1 & 2 Recap

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings started their Western Conference Final battle Saturday night in Chicago. The home team left happy, but knowing that they had to play again the night after. Both games were good, but the visiting Kings could not put a halt to the Blackhawks winning parade.

Jun 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) celebrates with teammates Marian Hossa (81) , Jonathan Toews (19) and Duncan Keith (2) after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 was a close call for the Blackhawks, going down 1-0 at the end of the first period. Justin Williams capitalized on a chance when Dave Bolland failed at clearing the puck out of the zone. Patrick Sharp scored the tying goal in the second period, but Marian Hossa made the game his by getting a tip-in to defeat Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings. Jarret Stoll had a few words to say about game 1. “We didn’t deserve to win that game,” The LA center said. That’s the bottom line. I don’t think any of us in here can say we deserved to win that game, so we didn’t.” The game winner had a few things to say too. “He’s one of the fastest goalies in the League, if not the fastest,” Hossa said of Quick. “Whatever he sees, he’s going to stop it. You have to have traffic in front of him, pin him in the blue paint, and put lots of pucks in the corners or in his feet and go for the second chances.”

Jun 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) skates back to the bench as he is replaced by teammate Jonathan Bernier (45) during the second period in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2 wasn’t as much of a close call for the Blackhawks, but it got a little hectic towards the end. After one period, the Hawks led the game 2-0 with goals by Andrew Shaw and Brent Seabrook. By the end of the second period, Chicago led 4-1. Jonathan Quick was pulled out of the net after the fourth goal, and Jonathan Bernier replaced him. During the third period, a little scrum happened around Corey Crawford, and he got involved when Kyle Clifford started giving Captain Jonathan Toews a hard time. This came about two seconds after Colin Fraser hit Toews, and Michael Roszival slammed Fraser to the ground. Bernier skated towards the scrum, and wants to challenge Crawford, but the two never meet to fight. Here’s a video link for it.

So Chicago takes the series lead 2-0 in Chicago, but anything could happen for the Los Angeles Kings on home ice. Especially Jonathan Quick, who is looking to prove something since he was pulled out of net Sunday night. Is Jonathan Quick going to be able to be the backbone of a great comeback or will they fall to the Blackhawks? Here is today’s poll!

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