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Blackhawks edge Kings, snap slide

Jan 4, 2011 - 6:32 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Jonathan Toews received credit for the game-winner with 5:27 to play as the Chicago Blackhawks took a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

Patrick Sharp had two goals and an assist and Marian Hossa also scored for the Blackhawks, who snapped a three-game slide. Corey Crawford stopped 26 shots in the win.

"We did some good things out there but again we had a slow start," said Toews. "But the power play kept us in the game and Corey was solid. We'll take the two points considering we didn't play so well. But we still have to look at the mistakes we made."

Ryan Smyth scored twice and Michal Handzus had the other goal for the Kings, who have dropped four in a row for the second time this season. Jonathan Quick got the loss for giving up all four goals on 28 shots.

Just under two minutes after Smyth tied the game with his second goal of the contest, Toews gave Chicago the advantage, accidentally.

With the puck behind the Los Angeles net, it popped out front and hit off of Quick. Drew Doughty was on the doorstep and tried to clear it away, but it hit off of Toews and went in for a 4-3 lead.

Los Angeles continued to press in an effort to net the equalizer, but was unable to even the game as Chicago swept the four-game season-series. It's the first series sweep of the Kings by Chicago in 28 seasons.

"That's bad luck. That comes off the boards or off the glass, almost went of Quick's head I think when it came over the top of the crossbar," said Los Angeles head coach Terry Murray. "That's bad luck but I guess when you're the Stanley Cup Champion you probably get breaks, you probably get lucky bounces like that."

Handzus scored 4:28 into the game and was countered by Hossa's power-play goal with 1:18 left in the opening period.

The Hawks again used the power play to take a 2-1 lead at the 7:11 mark of the second as Patrick Kane sent a pass from the right circle to the left where Sharp one-timed it home.

With 1:43 to play in the second, Los Angeles tied the game on a breakaway by Smyth, who slipped the disc between the pads of Crawford.

Sharp gave Chicago a 3-2 lead 4:27 into the third when he charged the net, lost control of the puck and got it back prior to snapping it past Quick.

Los Angeles, though, again evened the contest as Jack Johnson threw a simple wrister on net from the left point that was deflected in by Smyth at the right side with 7:18 left.

Game Notes

The Blackhawks play at home on Wednesday against Dallas...Los Angeles hosts Nashville on Thursday...Toews had missed the past two games with a shoulder injury suffered in St. Louis on December 28. It was thought that he was going to miss two weeks...Chicago has taken nine of the past 10 in the series...Chicago went 2-for-4 on the power play while Los Angeles was 1-for-5.