Hawks close out trip on winning note

LOS ANGELES — You can say one thing about the Blackhawks on this road trip: They sure haven't gotten too high after they've won in impressive fashion, like they did in Vancouver and Anaheim.

That's because they haven't been able to, thanks to their win-lose-win-lose style of play through Western Canada and California.

That's why, with a stretch of home games looming the Hawks play nine of 12 at the United Center in December a chance to win consecutive games was at the forefront of their minds heading into Saturday's matchup with the Los Angeles Kings.

Consider it done.

Behind the second straight strong start by goalie Corey Crawford, behind the scoring of the two Patricks Sharp and Kane and behind the big right hand of big John Scott, the Hawks ended their circus trip in style with a 2-1 victory over the Kings to finish 4-2 on the road.

“It was a good trip overall pretty good for us to get 8 points altogether,” said Kane, who scored the game-winner off his stomach early in the third period. “It's a good finish to the trip. We're excited to go home and play in front of our fans.”

The win was the second in two nights for Crawford and his fourth straight as he continues to make a push for the No. 1 goalie spot.

“The defense has been really good the last couple of weeks,” Crawford said. “They make my game so much easier.”

While the defense continued its strong play, so did Sharp, who scored for the fourth straight game. Kane started the play tying up the stick of a Kings player and then playing keep away with Sharp down the ice to open up the scoring.

“It's a good play to get it in his hands these days because he's on fire,” Kane said of Sharp.

Shortly after Sharp's 15th of the season, the Kings' Kevin Westgarth made the unfortunate decision to pick a fight with Scott. After taking a number of solid shots to the face, Westgarth skated away a bloody mess.

“He asked me to fight,” Scott said. “He came right after me off the bench and we went. It was good, a good fight for me.

“He tried to hit me a couple of times but he couldn't reach me. The height works to my advantage. I've got long arms, kind of like a monkey-armed baboon.”

Whatever he considers himself, his teammates are glad he's on their side.

“He did awesome,” Kane said. “For him to step up tonight and have a fight like that, it really got the team pumped.”

Kane closed out the scoring early in the third on a goal that underwent a review before being allowed.

“It was fortunate they called it a goal I think because it went off my stomach,” Kane said. “I have to try to get in the net area more often.”

Three stars

<p>1. Patrick Kane, Hawks: He was one of a handful of players who participated in the optional morning skate. Coincidence? He not only had a goal (game-winner) and an assist, but also had a couple of key plays in the defensive end as well.</p>

<p>2. Patrick Sharp, Hawks: Is this guy never not in the three stars? He sure deserves to be after opening the scoring with his 15th of the season and then assisting on Kane's game-winner. he also won 4 of 6 faceoffs.</p>

<p>3. Corey Crawford, Hawks: Sure his defense stepped up big time in front of him, but so did Crawford, who stopped 21 shots including some huge ones down the stretch to pick up his fourth straight victory.</p>

<p>Hit men:</p>

<p>The Hawks and Kings each registered 31 hits on the night.</p>