The Chicago Blackhawks enter the second period sporting an unusual statistical advantage over the Los Angeles Kings: The lead.

After losing three straight games in the late-November stretch, the Blackhawks finally escaped their fall swoon after winning 6-5 against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Tonight, for the first time in seemingly forever, the Hawks have finished the first period with a 1-0 lead.

The Blackhawks got on the board midway through the first period when Marcus Kruger and Duncan Keith set up Andrew Brunette for a wrap-around goal, slipping the puck by Jonathan Quick. The Kings defense stiffened through the remainder of the period, but the Hawks still managed a 10 to 6 shot differential.

Going into the second half, the Blackhawks will look to continue to avoid allowing a Kings power-play -- the Hawls currently are last in the league with a 73% penalty kill rate.

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