Chicago and NHL's leading rookie scorer just didn't have the puck much in a 5-0 loss on Friday. The Blackhawks face the Kings again Tuesday in Los Angeles.
The Chicago Blackhawks will try to measure up a little more closely with the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night in California.
The Kings smoked the Blackhawks 5-0 at the United Center last Friday, using superior size, speed and strength to race to a four-goal lead in the first period. Los Angeles easily managed Chicago the rest of the way.
Anze Kopitar score twice last Friday as L.A. chased Arvid Söderblom with four goals on 14 shots. USA Today Network, Jamie SabauThe Blackhawks are still without veteran forward Taylor Hall (right ACL surgery) and defenseman Connor Murphy (groin/core), but have won four of their last six games. In 31st place in with a 19-44-5 record, Chicago has topped Arizona twice and Anaheim and San Jose in its best run of a disappointing season.
Although the 34-22-11 Kings don't rank among the NHL's elite teams, they've been a different beast for the Blackhawks. Los Angeles is 6-0-2 in its last eight games against Chicago dating to November 2019.
On Sunday, the Blackhawks were chasing as Anze Kopitar reached the 20-goal mark for the 13th time in 18 seasons before the first intermission.
"Couldn't Get Puck Back"
"We just couldn't get the puck back," Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. "They had too much time in our D-zone, which just wears you out.
"The key tonight is going to be ready to battle earlier. Get the puck back early from them and really be stingy on giving it back. Puck possession and special teams are going to be the two biggest things tonight." See video.
Bedard, the NHL's leading rookie scorer with 21 goals and 53 points, will again center a line with Tyler Johnson on the left wing and Philipp Kurahsev on the right.
Bedard has four goals and 10 points in his last four games. Kurashev has three goals and seven assists in the span.
Richardson has seen Bedard playing a smarter game and better defensively recently, even if the 18-year-old has a minus-37 plus/minus ranking. Kurashev is at minus-39. Only one player, San Jose's William Eklund, is worse. See video.
D-Man Kaiser Returns
Wyatt Kaiser, one of the Blackhawks top defenseman prospects, will be back in the lineup. The 21-year-old Twin Cities area native started the season with Chicago and appeared in 23 games before being sent to AHL Rockford after his play and confidence dropped off.
Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser is back.Kaiser was recalled on Sunday after posting three goals and 15 points in 31 games with the IceHogs.
The former Minnesota-Duluth D-man has the ability "to skate the puck out of trouble," Richardson said.