Kings @ Blackhawks Game One Review

So the Western Conference Final kicked off tonight with the LA Kings heading to Chicago to defend the cup.

First Period

Chicago won the opening faceoff and initially dominated the first period. At the first commercial break, there'd been five shots, all of which on Jonathan Quick. Corey Crawford had very little to do so far. The Kings were getting the puck forward but had no end product.

Kyle Clifford gave away the first powerplay of the series when he picked up a minor for a hand pass. Chicago's man advantage lasted 16 seconds when Andrew Shaw was boxed for interference.

Neither team found the net during the short powerplays although Patrick Kane's wrister forced another save from Quick.

Dustin Penner gave away a penalty for roughing after dragging Michal Handzus to the ice from behind after the Kings forced Crawford into his first save. The Blackhawks came close to scoring but Quick was on fire to save the Kings from going behind.

Goal! In the 15th minute, contrary to the flow of play, the LA Kings took the first goal when Justin Williams' backhand took an awkward deflection past Crawford. 1-0 Kings.

That's how the first period ended. Total domination from Chicago who managed 17 shots. Unfortunately for the boys from Illinois, the Kings were the only team to find the net despite only managing two shots on target.

Second Period

End to end stuff for the first few minutes, the Kings' confidence was massively boosted by that first period goal although Chicago were definitely hungry for the equaliser as the Jonathan Toews line really tested the Kings. Quick however, was equal to everything thrown at him.

At the halfway point of the period, Chicago was hitting big in its own defensive zone and firing everything at Quick's net but despite coming close a few times; it just wasn't happening.

Goal! The Blackhawk's pressure paid off shortly after when Patrick Sharp was was on hand to find the net for Chicago and restore parity.

Goal! With three minutes left on the clock, Marion Hossa deflects Duncan Keith's shot past Jonathan Quick to give Chicago the lead. 2-1 to Chicago.

Third Period

Nick Leddy picked up a penalty after tripping Dustin Brown but the Kings were unable to capitalise on the man advantage.

Bickell Had a great chance on the break but Crawford big and was able to block the shot. 

Chicago finished on the powerplay after Jeff Carter was boxed for tripping.

And that's how it ended, Chicago were anything but courteous to their guests and after initially going behind, demonstrated why they've earned their place in the conference final. That's not to say the Kings didn't play well, Quick and the LA D-Men really put in a shift and will be disappointed to lose by such a small margin.

The Blackhawks on the other hand will be disappointed to have only won by one goal in a game. Hjalmarsson and Oduya were both solid and Bickell and Kane were the key men up front.

LA have lost most of their games on the road in the playoffs so will be hoping to break that trend with the next game otherwise they'll be heading back to the Staples Center with a two game deficit.