Facing the champs

The Chicago Blackhawks have started this season with a 5-4-1 record, and their roster had some moderate turnover from last season’s Stanley Cup-winning team, but don’t kid yourself. This is still a very strong Chicago team. Patrick Sharp has eight goals in his nine games and Marian Hossa has seven goals and four assists in 10 games. The scoring depth hasn’t been as strong, but Marty Turco is in net and well-rested. Turco hasn’t played since Friday, when he had a four-game win streak ended by St. Louis. Kings coach Terry Murray was asked whether the feel in the Kings’ locker room is different before a game against the defending champs.

MURRAY: “It’s a different feel, obviously. The intensity in the locker room, before the game starts, is always elevated. Players are sitting in there, talking among themselves, challenging themselves to respond the right way, to do the right things. The Stanley Cup champions, whoever they are in any given year, in a home game are always on top of their game. We’re going to have to be matching that intensity, bringing our ‘A’ game and doing the right things. This is one of the better transition clubs in the National Hockey League, and you just want to try to take that strength away from their game. You’re not going to eliminate it, but you’ve got to limit the opportunities they’re going to have off one of their strengths.”