Another bad finish dooms Hawks
For the second game in a row, the Blackhawks played a third period to forget.
And for the second straight game they lost, this time 5-4 to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at the United Center.
The Hawks took a 4-3 lead early in the third period on a goal by Jonathan Toews, but they let Tyler Toffoli tie it with 11:54 to play and Dustin Brown win it with a late goal off a faceoff with 1:27 remaining.
Brown pounced on his own rebound in the slot and fired the puck into an empty net past goalie Corey Crawford and defenseman Johnny Oduya.
“Going into the game we knew it was going to be a dangerous game for us,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “They had been shut out two games in a row, so you knew they were going to be hungry and try to get the scrappy goals.
“We didn't respond to the challenge that was there tonight. I was disappointed with how we played and what we gave them.”
That's the second time in the last two games Quenneville has been disappointed by how a game ended. He was disappointed by the final five-plus minutes at Anaheim last Wednesday, when the Hawks gave up 3 goals in a 4-2 loss to the Ducks.
“I don't know if I said it, but maybe last game,” said Quenneville, who was reminded he hasn't been disappointed too many times this season. “I was disappointed by the way it finished.”
The loss spoiled one of Michael Frolik's better games with the Hawks.
Taking advantage of what was supposed to be a temporary promotion to the top line with Marian Hossa hurting, Frolik had 2 goals and an assist on Toews' third-period goal.
“For sure, you kind of get the monkey off your back,” Frolik said. “I didn't score for a while and it felt good, but I would be happier if we win the game.”
Twice the Kings quickly answered go-ahead goals by the Hawks.
They scored a goal with five-tenths of a second remaining in the second period, when Dwight King had a puck go past Crawford off his skate on a rebound just 40 seconds after a goal by Patrick Kane gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead.
“We still had the lead in the third period again,” Quenneville said. “That's two tough games in a row we don't get a point after we had the lead in the third period.”
“Their third goal and their fifth goal came late in a period,” Kane said. “Especially that one after we made it 3-2, for them to tie it up I think gave them a little momentum.
“We came back and took the lead, but obviously we didn't play well with the lead. A tough loss for sure.”
Frolik opened the scoring at 5:55 of the first period with his second goal of the season and first since opening day against the Kings at Staples Center.
He scored again at 14:31 of the second period, redirecting a pass from Duncan Keith by goalie Jonathan Quick to make it 2-2.
“Fro did a good job,” Quenneville said. “It was nice to see him get some production to reflect his play. I'm sure he was excited to play with Johnny and (Brandon) Saad, and he took advantage of it.”
ŸFollow Tim's hockey reports on Twitter @TimSassone and check out his Between the Circles blog at dailyherald.com.
Blackhawks game day
Calgary Flames at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: The Flames (12-14-4, 3-9-2 on the road) snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 3-2 win over St. Louis in Calgary. Jarome Iginla, who has been the subject of trade rumors ahead of the April 3 deadline, scored the winning goal in the third period. Iginla didn't want to comment on the rumors that have linked him to several teams, including the Hawks. “There is a lot of speculation about our team and me individually,” Iginla said. “It will work itself out in whatever it is … a week away. I don't want to contribute to it.”
Season series: The Hawks lead 1-0.
Next: Anaheim Ducks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Friday
— Tim Sassone