Brad Richards Scores Twice In The Blackhawks 4-1 Win In LA!

November 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Brad Richards (91) is congratulated after he scores a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks visited the Kings on their final game of their 6 game circus trip.  This of course is the rematch of the last two Western Conference Finals so these two teams know each other well.  Here’s how things turned out at Staples Center in LA

First PERIOD

The pace of the first period was fast and furious and of all the forwards on the ice who knew that it would be Daniel Carcillo would be the player making the great hand eye coordination goal when he knocked in the puck out of mid air to open up the scoring.

The Blackhawks took two penalties in the period, first it was the Captain Jonathan Toews high-sticking then Corey Crawford was called for tripping when he took down Justin Williams on a mini-breakaway that saved a goal.  Both of the Kings powerplays were clinics for how to run a penalty kill with the Blackhawks pressure being relentless and the Kings didn’t get much of anything going on either powerplay.

The Hawks got the second goal of the period when Kris Versteeg picked off the puck after a sloppy play by Kings goalie Jonathan Quick behind his own net and Versteeg fed Brad Richards the puck neatly for the second goal of the game.  It’s the second straight game where Versteeg found a teammate from that area of the ice for a goal.  The Blackhawks led 9-8 on shots and 2-0 on the scoreboard after one period.

Second PERIOD

The Kings looked like they found their legs in the 2nd period and they looked like they had a larger sense of urgency in the period and it would pay off when Jordan Nolan got one past Crawford on a shot that seemed to change direction about 3 different times on the way to the back of the net.

The Blackhawks would regain their 2 goal cushion 2 minutes later when the Hawks put together a beautiful passing play from Versteeg to Michal Rozsival who held on to the puck long enough to get everyone to commit then passed it to Richards who deposited his second goal of the game past Jonathan Quick.

The Kings owned the play but weren’t able to capitalize in the 2nd period and the Hawks went to intermission with a 2 goal lead for the 2nd straight game.

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Third PERIOD

The Blackhawks didn’t own the possession in the third period, but they had great support from all 5 skaters on the ice all game long.  The third period almost was a carbon copy of yesterday’s game against the Ducks when the Hawks had a 2 goal lead and played some great defensive hockey while putting the game away with a empty net goal late in the third period for a 4-1 final margin. Brandon Saad got the empty net goal and the Hawks finished off the Kings in style 4-1.

– The Hawks finish the circus trip with a 5-1 record.

– Corey Crawford has played in 14 straight games and looks to be getting stronger

-The Richards-Versteeg-Kane line keeps picking up points and looks to have some great chemistry.

– Patrick Sharp is expected back Wednesday night

-Speaking of Wednesday Night, the Blackhawks next game is Wednesday at the United Center against the St. Louis Blues

HAWKS WIN HAWKS WIN!!!