Blackhawks Look to Even Series with Kings
The NHL Western Conference Finals continue tonight with Game 4 of the best of seven series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings. The Kings own a 2-1 lead in the series following a 4-3 victory on Saturday in Los Angeles.
If the Kings can win Game 4, it would push Chicago, the defending Stanley Cup champions, against the wall on the brink of elimination.
Jeff Carter and his rookie line mates Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli have helped carry the Kings to victory in their two wins in the series. Carter had four points in Game 2 and followed that with one goal as well as two assists in Game 3.
In the three games of the conference final, Carter has 4 goals and 4 assists, while Toffoli has scored one goal in each of the three games in the series.
Jonathan Toews, the captain for Chicago has scored 3 of hits teams 8 goals in the series
The moneyline in tonight’s game has Los Angeles at -128 and Chicago +118. The over/under goal total is 5.
A Few Numbers to Consider
Los Angeles has three goals on the power play in the past two games.
Chicago had allowed just 4 power play goals in the first 13 playoffs games this season.
Los Angeles had 18 shots to just 7 for Chicago in Game 3’s third period. Chicago outshot Los Angeles 10-4 in the second and they two teams tied 10-10 in shots on net in the first.
Corey Crawford the goaltender for the Blackhawks gave up four goals on just 32 shots in Game 3. Crawford has surrendered 24 goals on the 193 shots he has faced for a save percentage of .876 in the six losses Chicago has had in the postseason.
On the other hand, Crawford 
has stopped 260 of the 272 shots for a save percentage .956 in the Blackhawks 9 playoff wins this season.
Chicago has lost the opener on the road in their past 10 straight postseason series going back to 2010.
Marian Gaborik and Dustin Brown, two Kings forwards, each recorded 5 shots on net to lead the team and the game. Patrick Sharp had four shots on net to lead Chicago.
Chicago has a shot differential of 56.4 with the game is within one goal or tied in situation of full strength. Chicago has 31 shots, while Los Angeles 24 in that situation. In those same situations, Los Angeles outscored Chicago 2-1.
In Game 2, 30 of the 57 face offs were won by Los Angeles. Jarret Stoll was the Los Angeles leader in face offs winning 16 of the 28 he was in. Over the series, Stoll has won 40 of the 63 face offs he has participated in. Chicago’s Andrew Shaw lost all 7 of the face offs he took part in during Game 3.
Drew Doughy a defenseman for Los Angeles played 28:32 minutes which was a game high, while Kyle Clifford only played a team low 9:20 for Los Angeles.
The Blackhawks were led in minutes played by Duncan Keith with 27:14, while Chicago’s team low was 5:32 played by Brandon Bollig. He did not play the entire third period.
