The Chicago Blackhawks (14-7-3, 31 pts) survived a late offensive onslaught from the Los Angeles Kings (11-8-4, 26 pts), winning 2-1 and maintaining their lead of the Central Division.
The Blackhawks scored early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first period, but the Kings fought back in the second period, tying the game at 1-1. The decider came on a Jonathan Toews goal late in the second period, which pushed the Blackhawks in the lead with a 2-1 score.
During the second intermission, Toews described the goal -- his 13th of the season -- as "lucky" during his interview with the WGN commentators, but lucky or not, the goal proved decisive as both teams' defenses dominated the final period. The Kings, down by a goal, became ultra-aggressive in the later half of the third period, finishing the frame with 10 shots-on-goal to the Blackhawks' 5.
Corey Crawford (26 saves, .963 save percentage) and the Hawks defense looked as if they were fending off a power-play from the ferocious Kings offense, but ultimately outlasted the LA attack and survived -- with a shot ricocheting off Crawford's glove in the final seconds -- to capture their 14th regulation win.
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