10:08 PM, Jun 1, 2013
While defending champion Los Angeles has become
well-versed in dealing with one-goal contests this postseason, Chicago is the
team which has found a formula for winning those tight games. Marian Hossa's
tally late in the middle period was the game winner, sending the Blackhawks
to a 2-1 victory over the Kings in Saturday's Game 1 of the Western
Conference finals from United Center. Patrick Sharp registered the other
goal for the Blackhawks, who were coming off an emotional 2-1 overtime
victory to dispatch the rival Red Wings in a Game 7 on Wednesday. Corey
Crawford needed to make just 21 saves to record his ninth win of these
playoffs. Justin Williams potted the lone score for the Kings, who fell to
1-4 in their last five games decided by the slimmest of margins. The lone
victory in the bunch -- a 2-1 decision in Game 7 over San Jose this past
Tuesday -- landed the visitors in the conference finals for the