The View from Chicago

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Mark Lazerus: Strong start not enough as Blackhawks lose Game 3

On the bright side, if the Hawks didn’t have enough to be angry about after Game 2, they certainly do after Game 3.

Mark Potash: Too many penalties prove detrimental to Blackhawks

Frustration seemed to set after the Hawks lost a second-period lead for the second consecutive game. Their penalty-killing units have been outstanding in the postseason, ranking second in the NHL overall (46-of-52, 88.5 percent). But with the Kings scoring five goals as a result of power-play opportunities in the last two games, Keith was adamant that it was a discipline issue.

Mark Potash: Blackhawks, Kings exude confidence, respect for each other

Both teams have every right to feel confident. The Hawks won the Cup in 2010 and 2013; the Kings won it in 2012. And both won in impressive style, with a resilience and will to win that put them a step above the rest of the NHL field.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Chris Kuc: Kings dominate Blackhawks to take 2-1 series lead

Suddenly, time is running short on the Hawks’ bid to become the first repeat Cup winner since the Red Wings in 1997 and ’98.

Shannon Ryan and Chris Kuc: High-energy Andrew Shaw returns to lineup

Shaw finished with six hits in 12:28 ice time in his return.

“He was OK,” coach Joel Quenneville said.

Shannon Ryan: Jeff Carter’s line proves to be Blackhawks’ foremost nemesis

The floodgates have opened for the Kings, who struggled before this series to find the net. They have scored 10 goals in the last two games against the Blackhawks, who allowed the Wild only 13 goals in six games and the Blues 14 goals in six games in the previous playoff series.

CSNCHICAGO.com

Tracey Myers: Blackhawks face 2-1 series deficit after Game 3 loss to Kings

Yes, the Blackhawks have been down in series before, be it earlier this postseason to St. Louis or last year vs. the Detroit Red Wings. Right now, however, this deficit has a different feel to it. The Blackhawks need to find the urgency and the discipline, fast.

Tracey Myers: Penalties becoming a problem for Blackhawks

The Blackhawks were awarded three of their four power-play opportunities over a seven-minute span in the second period. They all fizzled.

NHL.com

Corey Masisak: Kings overtake Blackhawks to win Game 3

Jonathan Toews had two early goals for the Blackhawks, and Patrick Sharp scored in the final seconds. Chicago is 2-5 away from United Center during this postseason, and the Blackhawks have lost the first road game of 10 straight playoff series, a streak that dates back to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

Shawn Roarke: Penalties cost Blackhawks dearly in Game 3 loss

The first and third penalties are the types that must be avoided against a Kings team that is finding a groove with the man advantage. Los Angeles has three power-play goals in the past five periods, and each has helped fuel a rally.

Shawn Roarke: Blackhawks must follow Toews’ lead

It’s not as simple as breaking out the elite-player card, however, to explain why there weren’t more people reaching the bar set by Toews. From the time Kings forward Justin Williams scored a “lucky” goal in the dying minutes of the second period in Game 2 to start a six-goal onslaught, the Kings have been the better team in virtually every area.

Curtis Zupke: Kings’ special teams are living up to their name

That was a common refrain among the Kings, who have been shorthanded an NHL-leading 66 times in 17 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Not much more can be asked of their penalty killing unit, which held Chicago to one shot each on three of its four power plays. The Blackhawks could not get clean entries, nor set up properly in the Kings’ zone.

ESPN.com

Scott Burnside: Carter’s ‘old goat’ role carrying Kings

No one is suggesting that Jeff Carter is an old goat at 29 years old, and he isn’t necessarily tracking toward the Hall of Fame. But given the performance that Carter and his youthful wards (or linemates, if you must) Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson turned in on Saturday night, perhaps it’s time to start talking playoff MVP.

Scott Powers: Rapid Reaction: Kings 4, Blackhawks 3

The Kings took a 2-1 lead in the series and continued to hold home-ice advantage. The Blackhawks dropped the road opener of a series for the 10th consecutive time, a streak dating back to 2010. The Kings improved to 4-3 at home in the playoffs this season.

Scott Powers: Keith: Hawks must stay out of penalty box

The Kings have halted the Blackhawks’ penalty-kill success the past two games. Los Angeles scored twice on four power-play chances in Game 2 and added a third one by going 1-for-3 in Game 3.

Scott Powers: Blackhawks not finding offensive balance

Chicago’s second line of Patrick Sharp, Handzus and Patrick Kane struggled the most in Game 3. Handzus had a team-worst 27.7 Corsi percentage (five shots for, 12 against), followed by Sharp at 30.4 percent (7 for, 16 against) and Kane at 30.8 percent (8 for, 18 against). For the series, Handzus has a 36 Corsi percentage (18 for, 32 against), Sharp a 30.9 (21 shots for, 47 against) and Kane has a 43.5 (30 shots for, 39 against).

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