The Chicago Blackhawks made another strong statement on Thursday night, grinding out a disciplined 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings and extending their point streak to three games. Powered by standout special-teams play and another stellar performance from Spencer Knight, the Hawks climbed back into a playoff spot with a full team effort. Chicago’s mix of veterans and young core locked down the third period, protecting the lead with smart defensive-zone coverage and a composed finish against a late 6-on-4 push from L.A.
Game Summary
Blackhawks 2, Kings 1 — Statement Win in L.A.
The Chicago Blackhawks extended their point streak to three games and continued to defy early-season expectations with a gritty 2–1 win over the Kings in Los Angeles. Now sitting at 12-9-6, the Hawks once again showed why they’re one of the league’s most improved teams: special teams dominance, elite goaltending, and a resilient defensive structure that’s starting to become their identity.
But this one wasn’t smooth. Far from it.
1st Period – Fighting Discipline, Winning the Battle
The Hawks opened the night by taking three unnecessary minor penalties, putting their penalty kill under immediate stress. Yet the PK group—one of the NHL’s best since early November—showed up again.
Despite the parade to the box, Chicago was the better team at 5-on-5:
- Shot attempts: 25–17 CHI
- Shots on goal: 13–12 CHI
- Scoring chances: 9–9 tie
Spencer Knight and Darcy Kuemper matched each other save for save, with Kuemper making multiple clutch stops to keep the game scoreless.
1st Intermission: 0–0, but the Hawks knew they were flirting with danger.
2nd Period – A Wild Swing That Changed Everything
Chicago took full control of the middle frame, and it started on the power play.
Bedard Opens the Scoring (PPG)
Connor Bedard buried his 18th of the season, finishing a crisp passing sequence from Tyler Bertuzzi. Bedard crashed the crease, collected the feed, and jammed it home—exactly the type of hard-area goal that’s become his signature this year.
But the turning point of the game came in the final minute.
Knight’s Mishap… and a Game-Saving Block
With under a minute left, Knight misplayed a puck behind the net, gifting the Kings a wide-open chance. It looked like a sure equalizer, but Murphy bailed him out—extending a stick across the goal line to prevent the puck from sliding in. It was a season-defining save by committee.
Five Seconds Later… Kaiser Shockwave
Off the ensuing transition, Wyatt Kaiser stepped into space and ripped a perfect low wrister under Kuemper’s pad for his first goal of the season. Instead of 1–1, it was 2–0 Chicago. A massive emotional swing.
- Shot attempts: 45–49 LA
- Shots on goal: 25–20 CHI
- Scoring chances: 19–24 LA
Despite the Kings generating more chances, Chicago finished the period with complete control—and Nazar quietly picked up two assists.
2nd Intermission: Hawks 2, Kings 0
A one-minute sequence changed the game.
3rd Period – Survive and Close It Out
The Kings pushed hard, and Trevor Moore finally broke through to make it 2–1 midway through the third.
From there, it became a defensive clinic.
The Final 1:26 – 6-on-4 Heroics
Bedard took a late hooking penalty, and the Kings pulled Kuemper for a two-man advantage. Chicago’s PK—ranked among the league’s best—stood tall again.
Blocking shots. Winning races. Collapsing to the net. Knight calm and composed with 26 saves on the night.
This last-minute kill sealed the win and showcased the maturity Blashill has been preaching.
Post-Game Comments
Knight:
“These tight games matter. If you want to be a playoff team, you have to hold leads under pressure.”
Blashill:
“The buy-in on the PK, that’s everything. Not the system—the commitment.”
Nazar:
“The chances are coming. I just keep pushing. Helping the team win is what matters.”
| Stat | CHI | LAK |
| Shots on Goal | 36 | 27 |
| Face-off % | 44.1% | 55.9% |
| Power Play % | 1/3 | 0/4 |
| Penalty Minutes | 10 | 6 |
| Hits | 13 | 20 |
| Blocked Shots | 25 | 20 |
| Giveaways | 15 | 19 |
| Takeaways | 6 | 4 |
Blackhawks Players Highlights
- Frank Nazar — 2 Assists, 2 Points, 2 SOG, 2 Blocks, 2 Hits
- Connor Bedard — 1 Goal, 1 Point, 1 PPG, 4 SOG
- Wyatt Kaiser — 1 Goal, 1 Point, 2 SOG, 2 Blocks, 1 Hit
- Spencer Knight — 26 Saves on 27 Shots, .963 SV%
- Connor Murphy — 5 Blocks
3 STARS OF THE GAME
1st Star — Wyatt Kaiser (CHI)
G: 1 | A: 0 | P: 1
2nd Star — Frank Nazar (CHI)
G: 0 | A: 2 | P: 2
3rd Star — Darcy Kuemper (LAK)
GAA: 2.10 | SV%: .944
My Takeaway
After a small slump recently, a lot of fans started to worry. Some thought this might be the beginning of the Blackhawks’ downhill slide. But Jeff Blashill never saw it that way. Other than that ugly 9–3 loss, the Hawks were in every game — they just weren’t finishing. Tonight, they showed EXACTLY what their coach has been talking about all along.
This is a group built on a mix of young talent and veteran presence, all committed to a system based on speed, transition, structure, and discipline. They execute it with work ethic and by staying within their limits. Blashill sold this identity to them, and now they are ALL IN.
Everyone likes to talk about Bedard and Knight — and yes, they were big again — but this team’s success goes deeper. There are players who don’t always show up on the scoresheet but impact the game in every detail. One of the biggest examples is Ilya Mikheyev. His penalty killing, his shutdown ability, his motor… it’s off the charts. He’s in the final year of his contract, and if he keeps playing like this, he’s going to earn himself a serious payday — whether it’s in Chicago or on the UFA market.
And then you look at moments like Teravainen’s blocked shot in the dying seconds — taking it in the face, bleeding, but sacrificing for the team. That tells you everything about this locker room. This group plays for each other.
The coaching staff deserves credit too. This is a young team, learning every night, playing meaningful hockey, and staying in the playoff race when many didn’t expect it.
Enjoy the ride, folks… the Blackhawks are building something real.
The Blackhawks are back in action on Saturday, December 6, when they take on the Los Angeles Kings at 8:00 PM CDT.
KEEP READING:
Blackhawks Weekly Recap: (Week 1)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 2)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 3)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 4)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 5)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 6)
Blackhawks Week in Review:Week 7
Blackhawks Week in Recap (Week 8
)Blackhawks October Report Card
Blackhawks: November Report Card
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