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Richards lifts Kings over Blackhawks in SO

Mar 12, 2012 - 5:04 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Using a move he's tried twice before, with mixed results, Mike Richards scored the only goal in a shootout Sunday to lift the Los Angles Kings to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the sixth round, Richards put the brakes on for a wrist shot that beat Ray Emery to the glove-side from the slot. The move, Richards told a TV reporter after the game, has worked two of the three times he's tried it.

It was the only thing that worked against either goaltender in a shootout long on good saves and short on well-placed shots.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, who stopped Viktor Stalberg on a penalty shot in the third period, stoned the Blackhawks forward again on a backhand deke in the shootout.

Quick had 35 saves for the Kings, who tied Calgary and Colorado with 76 points -- eighth most in the Western Conference with the playoffs fast approaching.

"They're going to be hard-fought games from here on out, just like this one tonight," said Quick.

Jeff Carter and Slava Voynov scored in regulation for LA, while Marcus Kruger and Patrick Kane had goals for the Blackhawks. Kane's goal tied the game 7:36 into the third period and Kruger, after scoring in the second, was the last player to miss in the shootout against Quick, sealing LA's win.

Emery had 27 saves for Chicago, which remained No. 6 in the West after its second loss in three games. The Kings snapped a two-game losing streak and finished 2-2 on a four-game road trip.

Stalberg was taken down by Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi on a break, drawing a penalty shot 6:28 into the third period, but his try to the right side was turned aside by Quick.

"He was quick. He moves well from side-to-side," said Chicago's Patrick Sharp of the Kings netminder. "You really have to out-work him to put it in the net."

Kane tied the game anyway, just 68 second later, when he stuffed home a loose puck from the crease. Emery had the only save in OT.

Earlier, Voynov scored on a 4-on-1 just 77 seconds into the game after Chicago was caught in the LA zone scrambling for loose pucks against Quick, who made a couple of good saves.

Kruger tied the game 12:37 into the second period, but Carter gave the Kings a 2-1 lead less than five minutes later.

Game Notes

Kings also beat the Blackhawks on Dec. 28 and Feb. 25 after losing seven straight in the series, including first meeting this season. Quick had shutouts in the two wins...The Blackhawks wrap up a three-game homestand Tuesday versus St. Louis.