The thought was that, even with the Chicago Blackhawks struggling lately, they’d still provide the Los Angeles Kings with quite the battle tonight.
That ... didn’t come to pass.
Instead, the Kings kept adding to an early 2-0 lead, ultimately beating the Blackhawks by a convincing score of 5-0.
With that, Los Angeles maintains its spot atop the Pacific Division - possibly providing some padding, depending upon how the Anaheim Ducks fare tonight - while the Blackhawks continue to slip.
Jonathan Quick stopped all 32 Blackhawks shots for his fourth shutout of the season and his 41st career goose egg. Corey Crawford, meanwhile, had a tough night.
Quick made some history with that 41st shutout, by the way:
Jonathan Quick (@LAKings) earned his 41st career shutout, passing Vanbiesbrouck & Brimsek (40) for most in NHL history by a U.S.-born goalie
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2016
After the Milan Lucic - Anze Kopitar - Kris Versteeg line started off the scoring, other Kings joined in for a good time at their rivals’ expense.
The Kings’ twitter feed seemed pleased:
Pitch in on a party pic.twitter.com/Xepwx30hxk
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 15, 2016
These stumbles are a concern for the Blackhawks, but perhaps this is just another March swoon before a deep run:
March 2015: #Blackhawks lose 3 of 4
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) March 15, 2016
March 2014: #Blackhawks lose 4 of 5
March 2013: #Blackhawks lose 3 of 4
March 2016...
Jonathan Toews the only #Blackhawks player in the dressing room when press walks in. Second straight game.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) March 15, 2016
