Blackhawks, Kings trying to adjust to in-season coaching changes

CHICAGO --Patrick Kane remembers how successful the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings were a few seasons ago.

"Yeah, for a while there, it was like ourselves and L.A. were the teams to beat in the West," the Blackhawks forward said Friday.
But times have changed for the Blackhawks and Kings, who won a combined five Stanley Cup titles from 2010-2015.
They each have a losing record this season, and after in-season coaching change are adjusting to a new approach and system while trying to make headway in the standings. Doing both at the same time is the challenge.
"Kind of going through a little bit of a different phase for us as organizations and franchises," Kane said before the Kings defeated the Blackhawks 2-1 in the shootout at United Center. "They're trying to turn it around with a new coach there. Same with us."
The Kings, who are in last place in the Pacific Division, are 6-12-1 following their
5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday
. The Blackhawks, sixth in the Central, are 7-8-5 heading into their game against the Minnesota Wild at United Center on Sunday (6 p.m. ET; NHLN, WGN, FS-WI, FS-N+, NHL.TV).

Willie Desjardins, 61, replaced John Stevens as Kings coach Nov. 4. Two days later, Jeremy Colliton, 33, was named Blackhawks coach, coming up from Rockford of the American Hockey League to replace Joel Quenneville.
Neither team is close to where it was a few seasons ago. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015 under Quenneville. The Kings won the Cup in 2012 and 2014 under coach Darryl Sutter, who was replaced by Stevens on April 10, 2017.
The Kings and Blackhawks played each other in the Western Conference Final two consecutive seasons. The Blackhawks won in five games in 2013 and the Kings won in seven games in 2014.
But Chicago missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season and the Kings were swept in the Western Conference First Round by the Vegas Golden Knights. The Blackhawks were 6-6-3 and Kings were 4-8-1 this season when they changed coaches.

Finding success again means adapting fast. Desjardins, who coached the Vancouver Canucks from 2014-17, wants the Kings defense to be more active offensively. The Kings are 31st in the NHL with 1.94 goals per game.
"That's one thing that Willie really harps on: we always want at least four or five [players] on the attack," Kings defenseman Alec Martinez said. "You look around the League, I would say there's a trend toward that, especially the 'D' getting up into the play, being active. That's one of the things, but it really comes down to us burying our chances."
But implementing new ideas a month into the season has its challenges.
"You don't want to confuse the guys," Desjardins said. "You don't want to all of a sudden throw a whole new system, because that's what training camp is for. You build. We haven't been able to do that. We've had to manage what we're doing and just implement it slowly.
"But every day we're getting more of our stuff in. One issue we have is we weren't scoring, so then we were looking to do that, but then we were giving up a few [goals]. It seems we have quite a few things we need to work on right now."
Indeed, the Kings are 18th in the NHL in goals allowed (3.11 per game) and have several key injuries. Goalie Jonathan Quick (3-0-1, 4.55 goals-against average, .845 save percentage) is out indefinitely after he had surgery for a torn meniscus on Oct. 31. Backup Jack Campbell (5-7-0, 2.33 GAA, .923 save percentage) had the same surgery on Monday and is out 4-6 weeks. Center Trevor Lewis fractured his foot at morning skate Friday and is week to week.
The Blackhawks are healthier but have allowed too many goals (3.40 per game, 28th in the NHL) and are 8 for 61 on the power play (13.1 percent, 28th in the NHL). Under Colliton, the Blackhawks are playing more man-to-man defense. Kane has often been used on entire power plays. The Blackhawks have been on the power play 11 times (17 minutes, 52 seconds) since Colliton took over, scoring one goal. Kane has played 16:51 of that with one assist.
"There's nothing wrong with giving him an extra, not a rotation, but holding back, hold that line (Kane, Jonathan Toews and Nick Schmaltz) back a little bit after the power play to make sure they're fresh," Colliton said. "I don't think it's been a problem so far, and I think the power play's moving in the right direction."
The Blackhawks have seen some progress. After an eight-game losing streak (0-6-2), they have points in three straight games (1-0-2).

"It gets better every day. Even on practice days, when we go over more video, guys are learning fairly quickly," left wing Brandon Saad said. "It's an urgent time. Once you get behind the eight ball, it's tough to battle back in this League. We want to collect any points we can, but we definitely want to seal up games and get two points every night."
Forward Tyler Toffoli believes things will start to turn around for the Kings.
"We're just trying to find a way," Toffoli said. "A lot of us are just trying to play better hockey and find a way to win games. That's what it's come down to is we have to work hard and stick together, play a full team game and things will start looking up."