CHICAGO (AP) — Spencer Knight made 41 saves during his debut for the Chicago Blackhawks, leading the team to a resounding 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on March 3, 2025. Knight's standout performance helped his new team secure their second consecutive win, kicking off a three-game homestand on high notes.
The Blackhawks controlled the game from start to finish, with defensemen Alec Martinez and Ethan Del Mastro each finding the net, alongside goals from Ilya Mikheyev, Andreas Athanasiou, and Ryan Donato. The victory came at a time when the Blackhawks were solidifying their roster after acquiring Knight from the Florida Panthers, following the trade of defenseman Seth Jones just two days prior.
Los Angeles had seen nothing but misfortune lately, dropping their fourth straight game. Anze Kopitar managed to score his 14th goal of the season for the Kings, but it wasn’t enough to change the course of the match. Despite Darcy Kuemper’s efforts, who stopped 14 shots on goal, Los Angeles's offensive struggles continued to plague them, as they only managed to score one goal, illustrating the depth of their woes.
The opening period saw plenty of action, with the Kings dominating with seven high-danger chances compared to just one for the Blackhawks, yet both teams skated to the locker room tied at one goal apiece after Martinez opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season against his former team.
Mikheyev then put the Blackhawks back on top just 46 seconds after the second period commenced, flipping the momentum toward Chicago's favor. The Kings had begun strong, but they found themselves unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Del Mastro's goal, which came when he directed the puck tightly off the skate of Kings defenseman Jacob Moverare, was credited as his second goal of his career, reflecting the young player's ability to impact the game positively.
Chicago's offensive unit seemed revitalized, with quick circulation and aggressive plays leading to increased scoring opportunities. Athanasiou extended the lead to 4-1 at the one-minute mark of the third period, marking his first goal since he was recalled from the minors just prior to the game. The Blackhawks capped off their scoring when Donato sealed the deal with an empty-net goal, his 22nd of the season, which was indicative of his excellent form, showing nine goals and 12 assists over his last 16 outings.
The game's key turning points came as the Blackhawks entered the second period with renewed vigor, seizing the early lead which they maintained with excellent goaltending from Knight and growing perseverance from their offense. Knight’s poise and awareness were on full display as he deftly handled challenging opportunities from the Kings and provided clarity to the Blackhawks' defensive efforts throughout the game.
Blackhawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro particularly stood out, not only contributing offensively but also making his presence known with four shot attempts through just over 11 minutes of ice time during the first two periods. His growth as he adapts to the NHL level shows promise for the Blackhawks' younger core moving forward.
The Kings' struggles continued to stack up, marking the 17th shot they credited at the Blackhawks' net by the third period, as Chicago started to establish its control, eventually matching Los Angeles's shot count from the first period.
The entire Blackhawks defense put forth solid efforts, collectively blocking numerous shots, as the players worked diligently to support Knight during his initial game with the team. Knight’s calm demeanor between the pipes inspired confidence across the roster, feeding off his ability to handle pressure even as the Kings sought to capitalize on their scoring chances.
Looking toward their next set of games, the Blackhawks will take with them the momentum from this win as they prepare to host the Ottawa Senators, continuing to build on their recent success. Meanwhile, the Kings will aim to shake off their losing streak when they face off against the St. Louis Blues.
This match served as more than just another game; it signified the start of Knight's career with the Blackhawks and hinted at new beginnings for both him and the organization as they strive to capitalize on their recent transactions and refocus their strategy heading toward the playoff push.
With this game having showcased the potential within their current roster and the newly acquired talent, Chicago surely is eager to see how they will continue to build on their present momentum as the season progresses.