Kings Notes:
Tonight marks the second game of the Kings' sixth set of back-to-backs this season. Prior to this weekend, the team is 5-2-3 in back-to-backs (4-1-0 in the first game, 1-1-3 in the second).
The LA Kings skate into Chicago with points in 13 of their last 16 games against the Blackhawks (11-3-2), dating back to the 2016-17 season. The team's .750 points percentage (PTS %) vs. Chicago in that span ranks fifth overall. In those 16 contests, the Kings gave up 36 goals, which is the lowest goals against-per-game vs. Chicago among any one team.
Since the calendar flip to 2023, the LA Kings have found consistent success on the man advantage, scoring eight power-play goals in 26 power-play opportunities for a power-play percentage (PP%) of 30.8%, placing second in the league during that time. Over the past month, since Dec. 22, the Kings have scored 12 power-play goals, tied for second-most behind Florida (18). Of those 12 power-play goals, Adrian Kempe has scored a team-leading total of four. Only Florida's Matthew Tkachuk (6) and Edmonton's Zach Hyman (5) have scored more with the extra attacker than Kempe in the past month (since Dec. 22).
With a win in regulation tonight, the Kings (79) can become the eighth team in the league with at least 80 regulation wins over the Chicago Blackhawks all-time, joining Detroit (355), Montreal (294), Toronto (655), Boston (264), NY Rangers (236), St. Louis (123) and Dallas (109).
The Kings are 6th in faceoff win percentage (52.9%).
The Kings power play ranks 10th in the NHL (24.4%).
The Kings penalty kill ranks 29th in the NHL (73.2%).
Blackhawks Notes:
Making his NHL debut on Saturday evening, Chicago rookie goaltender Jaxson Stauber made 29 saves for his first career NHL win. Stauber becomes the first Blackhawks goalie since 2018 to start and win their first NHL game.
Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones secured an assist on Saturday evening and now has points (2-6=8) in four-straight games. Jones is four games shy of his career-long eight-game point streak (2-6=8 from Nov. 1-20, 2021). He also has 11 points (3-8=11) over his last eight games. Jones leads all Blackhawks defenseman with 21 points (4-17=21) this season.
The Blackhawks are 1st in faceoff win percentage (56.1%).
The Blackhawks power play ranks 24th in the NHL (20.0%).
The Blackhawks penalty kill ranks 24th in the NHL (74.8%).
Who to Watch:
Alex Edler, whose 30 points (6-24=30) against the Blackhawks are tied for fifth-most among active defensemen.
Max Domi, who has seven points (3-4=7) over his last eight games. Domi now leads all Blackhawks' skaters with 14 goals and 31 points through 44 games this season.
