Kings Ride Their Road Revival Into Chicago
Los Angeles is still winless at home but keeps finding wins away; the Blackhawks carry a three-game skid and a sputtering attack.
Written before the game
Two of the Western Conference's slowest starters meet in Chicago, and the gap between them is wider than the standings suggest. Los Angeles sits 14th in the West with 8 points, Chicago 15th with 6. Both clubs have 3 wins over their last ten. But the Kings have at least been getting the puck to the net. The Blackhawks mostly haven't.
Over their last 10 games, the Kings have matched opponents almost attempt for attempt, 57.7 shot attempts for against 58.4 against. Chicago is getting buried, managing 45.2 a night while allowing 59.5.
Neither team has kept the other side's chances down. Using expected goals (how many goals a team's chances were worth), the Blackhawks have allowed 3.62 a game and the Kings 3.54. Expect both goalies to see real looks.
Home and road splits frame the stakes. Los Angeles is 0-3-0 at home but 3-2-2 on the road and arrives off a win. Chicago is 3-4-0 at home, where all of its wins have come, but it has lost three straight and carries a minus 19 goal difference to the Kings' minus 8.
It's early, but a regulation loss would leave Chicago chasing the Kings for that final wild-card spot rather than sitting right behind them.