Kings score twice in 15 seconds, defeat Blackhawks to gain in Pacific

LOS ANGELES -- Phillip Danault scored for the fifth straight game, and the Los Angeles Kings extended their lead for third place in the Pacific Division with a 4-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.

Adrian Kempe and Alexander Edler each had two assists, and Jonathan Quick made 15 saves for the Kings (42-27-10), who won their third straight game to move five points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights, who have a game in hand.
Los Angeles closed within two points of the Edmonton Oilers for second place in the Pacific, with Edmonton holding two games in hand.
"Obviously the guys have been battling hard all year and put us in a position where we're in a good spot right now. And with these last few games, we really got to dial in and secure that place for the playoffs and just take it one game at a time," Kings forward Andreas Athanasiou said.
Patrick Kane scored a power-play goal, and Collin Delia allowed four goals on 35 shots before cramping up in the third period for the Blackhawks (26-41-11), who have lost 11 of 13 (2-9-2).
"They're a team that's desperate, fighting for a playoff spot, and I think it showed," Chicago forward Dylan Strome said.
Danault put the Kings up 1-0 at 11:58 of the first period on a power play when he backhanded in a loose puck after Kempe's shot from the high slot hit Danault in the side.
Danault has eight points (five goals, three assists) during a seven-game point streak. The scoring streak and point streak are the longest of his NHL career.

Despite outshooting Chicago 17-6 in the first, Los Angeles needed two key saves from Quick, who stopped a shorthanded breakaway by Sam Lafferty at 5:30 and a one-timer by Alex DeBrincat at 10:06 before getting that lead.
"This is his time of year, and he has elevated his game," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "Players get into a zone, and I believe he's found that zone, so put your money on 32 (starting against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday)."
Anze Kopitar made it 2-0 at 9:16 of the second period when a shot by Edler redirected off his leg.
Kane cut it to 2-1 at 15:13 on a sharp-angle one-timer from Strome.
"They jumped on us early," Strome said. "We did a good job of staying in it. We kept it to 2-1 for awhile and had some chances, especially on the power play."
DeBrincat had the secondary assist for his 76th point (40 goals, 36 assists) to tie his NHL career high. He also had 76 points in 2018-19.
Athanasiou scored on a breakaway to give Los Angeles a 3-1 lead at 11:45 of the third period. It was his first point in three games since returning from an upper-body injury that kept him out for 17 games.
Trevor Moore made it 4-1 15 seconds later, finishing off a 2-on-1 rush with Viktor Arvidsson at 12:00.

After winning consecutive games 2-1, Athanasiou was pleased to see the Kings get the two insurance goals.
"Obviously whenever you can cushion the lead like that in the third period, it's huge, and we got two quick ones," he said. "Definitely gave us a little more confidence and just a little bit of safety room, for sure."
Delia could not stop cramping after Moore's goal and was replaced by Kevin Lankinen, who made one save in relief.
"Playing out there, it was hot, and then facing all those shots, I'm sure you know wasn't easy for him. I thought he played well," Blackhawks coach Derek King said.
NOTES: Quick is 3-0-0 with a .956 save percentage and 1.00 goals-against average in his past three starts. … Arvidsson has six assists in a five-game assist streak. … Kempe got his 12th multipoint game. … Kings defenseman Sean Durzi had the secondary assist on Danault's goal for his 15th power-play point (two goals, 13 assists). … DeBrincat has nine points (one goal, eight assists) during a five-game point streak. … Kane scored his 430th goal to pass Bill Guerin seventh among United States-born skaters. … The Blackhawks tied their season low with 16 shots. They also had 16 shots in a 5-1 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 12.