The View from Chicago

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Chris Kuc: Blackhawks unleashed, take Game 1 from Kings

That speed had the Hawks looking more like the team that raced to the Stanley Cup last season as they solved Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick with a goal in each period to remain unbeaten at home in the playoffs at 7-0.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Mark Lazerus: Blackhawks take series lead with 3-1 win over Kings

Save for the start, Kings coach Darryl Sutter was pleasantly surprised with his team’s effort and energy given the challenging turnaround. And the Hawks certainly were pleased with their total team game — beating Quick three times, shutting down leading-scorer Anze Kopitar’s line, and getting another big performance from Crawford.

Mark Lazerus: Hawks stifle Kings’ top line

Against the Blackhawks on Sunday, they came up empty, combining for only six shots (none for Kopitar). Coach Joel Quenneville had Jonathan Toews’ line on the ice for every one of fellow Selke Trophy finalist Kopitar’s even-strength shifts until the final minute of play.

CSNCHICAGO.COM

Tracey Myers: Blackhawks take advantage of home ice against Kings

The raucous atmosphere doesn’t hurt, although it was more pensive in the second period when the Blackhawks were disallowed one goal and were outshot 17-6 by a Kings group that showed no tiring effects of two seven-round series. A Duncan Keith goal midway through the second, however, brought the crowd back into it and put the Blackhawks back on top 2-1, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Tracey Myers: Blackhawks overcome disallowed goal, down Kings in Game 1

The Kings didn’t look weary for long in this one. Still, the Blackhawks withstood the pressure, got past what could have been a deflating no-goal call and prevailed. It wasn’t easy; it’s not going to be the rest of the way, either.

ESPN.COM

Scott Burnside: Unsung Crawford steps up again

Still, in spite of his championship credentials, Crawford was never really a factor when it came to the Canadian Olympic team and his name was well down the list in Vezina Trophy discussions about possible. And here he is once again doing the only thing that matters at the only time of year that matters: winning.

NHL.COM

Shawn Roarke: Blackhawks shake off no-goal call on way to win

Less than eight minutes after Los Angeles tied it, Chicago took the lead for good, scoring on a counterattack at 11:54. The Kings mismanaged the puck in the neutral zone, and Marcus Kruger claimed the turnover and fed it to Saad, who got it to Keith at the point. His shot bounced off two different Kings and deflected high past Quick’s glove.

Corey Masisak: Toffoli-Carter-Pearson line contributes again for Kings

Pearson and Toffoli are swift skaters, something they share in common with Carter. The other three lines for the Kings might provide more brawn, but this combination has been a problem for opposing teams because of speed and skill, and plenty of tenacious play from the two kids.

THE COMMITTED INDIAN

FifthFeather: Just Like a Punch in the Teeth: Blackhawks 3, Kings 1

If it weren’t for Corey Crawford standing tall during the Kings strongest surge of the game, the Hawks could, very well, had been buried in the second period and everyone’s post-game mood would be a lot less cheery. His save on Kyle Clifford on a 2-on-1 shortly after LA tied it was probably the biggest save of the game.

SB Nation – SECOND CITY HOCKEY

Greg Boysen: Blackhawks Survive Game 1, Earn An Early Series Lead

Once again the Blackhawks were able to neutralize their opponent’s top line. Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar were pretty quite in Game 1. The Kings got their lone goal and the most chances from their second line of Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson. That line has good speed and could cause fits in Los Angeles when the Kings have the last change.