Kings Face Blackhawks In Crucial Playoff Push

The Los Angeles Kings, aiming to secure their position in the NHL playoff race, headed to Chicago on Thursday, March 20, 2025, to face the Blackhawks in a critical matchup. The Kings are looking to overcome the memory of their earlier defeats to Chicago this season, as they have previously lost both meetings against the struggling Blackhawks.

The stakes are high as the Kings strive to climb above the Edmonton Oilers, who currently sit three points ahead in the Pacific Division standings. The Oilers gained momentum with a commanding 7-1 victory over Utah HC on March 18, 2025. This loss for the Kings meant that the Thursday game against Chicago was essential if they hoped to keep pace in the race for home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

Historically, the Kings have struggled against lower-ranked teams this season, especially on the road. They currently hold a disappointing record of two wins out of eight games against the bottom five teams in the league. This disheartening pattern struck again when they faced the Blackhawks, succumbing to a 5-1 loss during their last encounter on March 3, 2025. The Kings also suffered a shootout defeat at home on November 2, 2024, a game where they were unable to secure a victory despite a strong performance.

In addition to their disappointing record against the Blackhawks, the Kings faced a setback in their recent game against the Minnesota Wild, losing 3-1 on March 17, 2025. This loss came despite the Wild being severely undermanned, missing key players such as their leading scorer. Kings’ right wing Alex Laferriere acknowledged the need to shift their performance. "Definitely, that was our goal coming in, was to bring that home game with us on the road," he stated in a press release, emphasizing their intention to build on their home success.

The Blackhawks, although lowly positioned in the league standings, present a unique challenge. The franchise has dismantled much of its roster, trading away notable players such as Seth Jones, Taylor Hall, and Petr Mrazek in a series of transactions that further weakened their already struggling team. Despite the upheaval, 19-year-old phenom Connor Bedard continues to lead the Blackhawks in scoring, even amidst a -33 rating that highlights the team's overall struggles.

Goalie Spencer Knight, acquired from the Florida Panthers, has shown promise under pressure, winning his first three starts for Chicago. He notably excelled against the Kings in their last meeting, stopping 41 of 42 shots, which led to a comprehensive victory for the Blackhawks, further complicating the Kings' march toward the playoffs.

As the Kings took to the United Center ice for their Thursday night contest, the need for a victory was palpable. While they enjoyed home success, with the best points percentage in the league at home, their away performance left much to be desired, possessing a win percentage that hovered just above .360 on the road this season. Reclaiming their winning momentum against Chicago becomes paramount not just for standings but for morale heading into the intensity of playoff season.

The matchup on Thursday, set for 5:30 p.m. PT, could significantly alter both teams’ trajectories as they prepare for the upcoming postseason. A victory for the Kings could provide them with a much-needed boost as they continue to chase the Oilers, while a Blackhawks win would bring a rare highlight to their underwhelming season.

With the stakes this high, fans from both franchises eagerly anticipate the outcome, and the implications are vast for both teams’ playoff aspirations.