Versteeg, Kings beat slumping Blackhawks 5-0
CHICAGO (AP) Kris Versteeg and Milan Lucic scored 18 seconds apart in the first period, and the Los Angeles Kings routed the slumping Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 on Monday night in a matchup of Western Conference powers looking for another championship run.
Vincent Lecavalier, Dustin Brown and Tyler Toffoli also scored as Los Angeles improved to 8-2-1 in its last 11 games. Jonathan Quick made 32 saves in his 41st career shutout, helping the Pacific Division leaders kill off each of Chicago's six power-play opportunities.
The Blackhawks (41-23-6) lost for the fourth time in five games, including three in a row against St. Louis, Dallas and Los Angeles - three potential playoff opponents. The defending Stanley Cup champions are just 9-10-2 since their franchise-record 12-game win streak.
The slide has dropped Chicago into third in the tough Central Division with just 12 games left on its schedule.
