Kings’ trip ends with overtime loss to Blackhawks

By TIM CRONIN The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Playing their third road game in four nights, the Kings were stifled by a third-string goaltender in an overtime loss.

Jonathan Toews converted Jake McCabe’s pass into an open-net goal in overtime, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Kings, 2-1, on Thursday night.

Toews scored his seventh goal of the season 1:31 into the sudden-death session, with Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick drawn to the side by McCabe.

Arvid Soderblom, making his first start with Chicago’s regular goaltenders sidelined, made 32 saves to earn the win.

The Blackhawks snapped a four-game winless streak, while the Kings dropped to 2-2-1 in their last four.

“Caber was kind of going back-door there, one of their defensemen got a stick on it, and Caber got a second chance and made a really nice play,” Toews said of the set-up for his game-winner.

Chicago’s Jason Dickinson opened the scoring with a mid-slot deflection of Caleb Jones’ drive from the right point 12:54 into the second period. The lead lasted 3½ minutes until the Kings’ Blake Lizotte converted Arthur Kaliyev’s 2-on-1 pass behind Soderblom for a 1-1 deadlock.

Soderblom stopped Kevin Fiala from the doorstep with 3:45 to play to help force the overtime session, then turned back Trevor Moore’s wrist shot from 15 feet 45 seconds into OT.

The tight-checking contest featured few good scoring chances until the Kings took three shots at Soderblom within five seconds midway through the second. Adrian Kempe, Gabriel Vilardi and Mikey Anderson were all turned back.

The Kings threatened again 8:18 into the third, but Carl Grundstrom fired wide from 20 feet out from the left-wing circle.

“I didn’t think we had as much polish as we’ve shown offensively,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said.

Quick stopped 17 Chicago shots.

“I think that’s actually more of our identity,” Lizotte said. “I thought we were pretty tight defensively. I think that’s actually a good sign for us, that we’re in these 1-1 games versus 6-5 shootouts.”

Soderblom earned praise for his poise.

“His ability to stay cool and make a big backdoor save (on Fiala), he doesn’t just do that,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “He then controls his body and seals the post so there’s no rebound. I saw him in rookie camp and an exhibition game, but this is a different animal when you get to the season.”

The NHL’s replay review system wiped out a four-minute Kings power play early in the third period, the review detecting Kaliyev lifting the stick of Jones, which in turn hit Lizotte in the face.

The Blackhawks are looking to build on the skid-snapping win.

“I think we can get back to simplifying a little bit and making it harder on the other team,” Toews said. “Right now, it’s fun to just go play. They weren’t any for this team or myself this year.”

GOALIE WOES

With their top two regular goaltenders sidelined, the Blackhawks started Soderblom for the first time this season. Soderblom started the season in Rockford of the AHL, his home most of last season, but filled in twice with Chicago in recent games.

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Additionally, Chicago signed AHL goalie Dylan Wells to a two-way contract to act as Soderblom’s backup while waiting for either Petr Mrazek (groin) and Alex Stalock (concussion protocol) to return from the injury list. Mrazek skated separately from the team on Sunday but there’s no timetable for his or Stalock’s return.

UP NEXT

The Kings begin a four-game homestand against Florida on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena.