Chicago Blackhawks 3, Los Angeles Kings 0
BOXSCORE
CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Jocelyn Thibault made 19 saves for his fifth shutout of the season as the Chicago Blackhawks posted a rare win over the Los Angeles Kings, 3-0.
Thibault turned aside eight shots in the first period, seven in the second and just four in the third for his 19th career shutout. Chicago improved to just 2-11-1 in the last 14 meetings with Los Angeles and defeated the Kings at home for the first time since 1996.
"I thought it was kind of a defensive game," Chicago coach Alpo Suhonen said. "It seemed like it was a little slow. Maybe the early time had an effect on both teams." Eric Daze and Tony Amonte scored power-play goals in the second period before Michael Nylander clinched the win with an empty-net goal with one minute left.
The Blackhawks have won two straight since Wednesday's 7-0 loss to San Jose and closed within seven points of Edmonton for the final Western Conference playoff spot. They have won two in a row for the first time since January 17-19. "This win feels good, especially after the San Jose game early this week," Thibault said. "After that game, I wasn't too sure about our playoff chances."
The only down note for the Blackhawks was an injury to right wing Steve Sullivan, their leading scorer who signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension on Thursday. He broke a finger on his left hand in the third period and is listed as day-to-day. "The last two games, we've played very good," Thibault said. "It's a great feeling to win two in a row and now we'll go on to New York tomorrow and try to win another one."
The Kings lost for the fourth time in five games and remained four points behind the Oilers. "An early start is no excuse for us, but maybe they use it in Finland," said Los Angeles coach Andy Murray, referring to Suhonen's home country.
After a scoreless first period, the Blackhawks converted both of their power plays in the second to grab a 2-0 lead against the league's worst penalty-killing unit. "Our power play was going good and we should have had a third one when we had a chance in the third period," Amonte said. "It's nice to gain a little momentum while playing at home."
With Nelson Emerson in the box for interference, Amonte dug a puck out of the left corner and passed in front to a wide-open Daze, who poked it high to goaltender Jamie Storr's stick side for his 20th of the season at 8:06. Amonte gave the Blackhawks insurance when he fought off traffic in the slot, faked to his right and flipped a backhander past Storr for his 30th goal with 83 seconds left in the period.
"My goal was just lucky," Amonte said. "It's one of those times when you catch a break and hit it in the air. It was important because it got us a two-goal lead." "It wasn't our special teams, it was our lack of professionalism that hurt us today," Murray added. "Nothing against the Blackhawks, and we can't do anything about their play, but we can do something about ours and we'll have to."
The Blackhawks clamped down in a close-checking third period, allowing few good scoring chances as the Kings were blanked for the fourth time this season. Storr faced just 20 shots.
"(I'm) very disappointed in the way we played," Kings right wing Kelly Buchberger said. "These were two big points that we needed, especially with the race as tight as it is."
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