The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, left, celebrates with goaltender Cam Talbot after their 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. Kopitar had two goals and an assist, and Talbot made 22 saves. Kings right wing Adrian Kempe, right, skates with the puck as Chicago Blackhawks center Tyler Johnson defends during the third period on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The Kings’ Alex Laferriere celebrates his goal with the bench, to take a 1-0 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks, during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Colin Blackwell of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after a check from the Kings’ Jordan Spence, left, during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Kings defenseman Jordan Spence, center, reaches for the puck as Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno, left, defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek, right, makes a save in front of the Kings’ Phillip Danault during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar, right, celebrates his goal with Jacob Moverare for a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks, during the second period at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Kings center Alex Turcotte, right, and Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Colin Blackwell of the Chicago Blackhawks is tripped for a penalty by the Kings’ Alex Turcotte during the third period in a 6-2 Kings win at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Kings goaltender Cam Talbot makes a save in front of Landon Slaggert of the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in a 6-2 Kings win at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Chicago Blackhawks center Colin Blackwell, center, trips while vying for the puck against Kings center Alex Turcotte, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 19: Philipp Kurashev #23 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates after the puck with Phillip Danault #24 during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on March 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. LOS ANGELES — The Kings padded their stats and, more importantly, secured two points, giving them 81 through 68 games, handling the beleaguered Chicago Blackhawks, 6-2.
Kopitar netted a pair of goals and added an assist against Chicago, leaving him one point shy of becoming the 52nd player in NHL history – and the second Kings skater behind Marcel Dionne – to record 1,200 career points. Kings goalie Cam Talbot denied 22 shots for his 21st win of the season, while Mrazek stopped 18 of the Kings’ 24 attempts.
Assists by Kempe and Kopitar set up Gavrikov’s snap shot from just inside the blue line, which fluttered above Mrazek’s stick at 9:32 for the Russian’s fifth goal of the season and 100th career point.