If Monday’s third period was “inexcusable” in the words of coach Bruce Cassidy, Thursday almost reached a new level. The Golden Knights scored five times in the first period. They led by three at the end of the second.
Spencer Knight made 41 saves in his first game with Chicago, helping the Blackhawks beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-1 on Monday night. Defensemen Alec Martinez and Ethan Del Mastro scored for the Blackhawks,
Martinez notched two assists in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Ducks. Martinez has two goals and three assists over his last eight games. One of his helpers Saturday came on the power play -- he could be in contention to play on the second unit following the Blackhawks' trade of Seth Jones to the Panthers.
Lukas Reichel had a goal and an assist, and Alec Martinez had two assists for the Blackhawks (18-35-7), who ended a five-game skid (0-4-1). Arvid Soderblom made 28 saves. Leo Carlsson scored twice, Jackson LaCombe also scored,
Chicago Blackhawks' Alec Martinez (25) celebrates with teammates at the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Monday, March 3,
The Kings return home from a three-game home stand empty handed after falling in their consecutive multi-goal defeat
Forward Ryan Donato and quite a few other players also might be in play before the 2 p.m. trade deadline Friday.
Several Chicago Blackhawks defensemen stepped up in Seth Jones’ absence after he was traded to the Florida Panthers.
The Blackhawks have taken trade calls on Seth Jones, but it would be in their best interest to keep him the rest of the season.
Youngsters Alex Vlasic, Ethan Del Mastro and Wyatt Kaiser all played well in the Hawks' 6-3 victory Saturday, which started just two hours after the Jones trade.
The Blackhawks will be looking to match playoff contenders' intensity while having little to play for in the last 26 games of the season.