The Chicago Blackhawks escaped with another victory on their circus trip, and they'll look to cap it with a second win against the Los Angeles Kings this month Saturday night.
The Kings, though, are just as eager for a win given their recent play.
Chicago is 3-1-1 on this season-high six-game trip while the Ringling Brothers Circus is at the United Center. The Blackhawks (13-8-2) won 3-2 in overtime at Anaheim on Friday, their second win past regulation on the trip after opening it with a 4-3 overtime victory against Edmonton on Nov. 18.
Artem Anisimov scored at the 1:53 mark of the extra period Friday, giving him five goals and four assists in his last nine games. That was after Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith found the back of the net in the final two minutes of the third period to force overtime.
"Well, I don't think that is the way we'd like to draw it up, but we'll take the win," Keith said. "I thought they outworked us most of the game. We just found a way at the end and snuck out with the two points."
Patrick Kane assisted on Keith's goal to extend his point streak to 18 games, tying Phil Kessel and Eddie Olczyk for the longest run by an American-born player. He has 10 goals and 19 assists in that span and his 35 points lead the NHL.
The Blackhawks also have a come-from-behind victory against Los Angeles under their belt, scoring three goals in the third period of a 4-2 home win Nov. 2. Anisimov and Kane each had a goal and an assist, and Kane has four goals and 10 assists in his last seven meetings including the playoffs.
Los Angeles (13-8-1) has dropped three of four, matching the amount of losses in the previous 15 games. The Kings closed a five-game trip with a 2-1 shootout loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday, falling despite a 38-30 advantage in shots. They're 4-4-1 when recording at least 35 shots and rank near the bottom of the league with a 7.7 shooting percentage.
Marian Gaborik and Trevor Lewis combined for 11 shots but neither could convert. Gaborik has three goals this season despite taking 52 shots.
"We did a good job of creating opportunities," said Milan Lucic, who scored the lone goal. "But no matter how good the goalie is playing, you have to find a way to get a few past him."
Lucic has five goals in his last nine games but one in 11 meetings with Chicago.
The Kings have been better at home, winning seven of nine while scoring seven power-play goals on 27 chances. Leading goal scorer Tyler Toffoli has eight goals and four assists in 12 home contests compared to three and five in 10 on the road.
Jonathan Quick's performance against the Lightning was encouraging. He surrendered one goal for the second straight start after giving up three or more in six of his previous eight. He's 2-6-0 with a 3.92 goals-against average in his last eight starts against the Blackhawks, however.
Chicago backup Scott Darling will get the nod having won his only previous start against Los Angeles.
The Blackhawks have won 22 of the last 32 meetings including the postseason.
