The Chicago Blackhawks scored four goals in a 10-minute span in the third period for a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.
Jonathan Toews scored the eventual game-winner on the power-play with 1 minute, 58 seconds remaining in the game for Chicago, who snapped a seven-game road losing streak.
Artem Anisimov also had a power-play goal, and Jordan Oesterle and Vinnie Hinostroza also found the back of the net. Patrick Kane added an empty-netter and two assists for a three-point performance.
Oesterle gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead at 13:11 of the first period. But then the Kings score three second-period goals by Tanner Pearson, Alec Martinez and Alex Iafallo, with of those scores coming off turnovers from Duncan Keith. It seemed like a familiar tale for Chicago as they took an early lead — the 16th time in their last 20 games — only to have it slip away.
But the Hawks rallied in quick fashion.
Anisimov capitalized on the man advantage thanks to a Drew Doughty hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct four-minute penalty.
Hinostroza tied the game less than four minutes later with his seventh goal of the season and Toews skipped in a wrist shot past Jonathan Quick for the eventual game-winner.
Hawks goaltender Anton Forsberg stopped 29 of 32 shots for his first win since Feb. 21 against Ottawa. Forsberg, for once, had some help from the defense in front him, including Oesterle’s huge blocked shot to deny Jake Muzzin.
Chicago (28-29-8) is 12 points back of Anaheim for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Hawks wrap up their road trip through California on Sunday with a visit to Anaheim.
3 Stars
1. Jonathan Toews (CHI), game-winning goal and an assist
2. Patrick Kane (CHI), one goal and two assists
3. Jordan Oesterle (CHI), one goal and one big blocked shot