Kings dominate, push Blackhawks to the brink

LOS ANGELES -- The defending Stanley Cup champions are on the brink of elimination.

The Blackhawks lost 5-2 Monday night to the Kings in the Western Conference finals, falling behind in the series 3-1. The Kings can clinch the series on Wednesday in Game 5 at the United Center.

The Hawks lost their third straight game, dropping two in Los Angeles after splitting the opening games in Chicago.

In Games 2 and 3, the Blackhawks were pummeled late in the games as the Kings rallied for victories. In Game 4, the Kings overwhelmed from the start.

The Kings took a 4-0 lead before the Blackhawks scored on goals in the second period from Brandon Saad and in the third period by Bryan Bickell.

The Staples Center crowd chanted Hawks' goaltender Corey Crawford's last name often during the game.

The Kings scored on two power play goals in the first period by Jake Muzzin and Dustin Brown. Marian Gaborik added a third goal for a 3-0 first period lead, the first time the Kings took a first-period lead against the Blackhawks in this series.

Drew Doughty scored on a wrist shot in the second period for the 4-0 lead.

Bickell's goal was his first in the series. He received an assist from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, who were put back on the top line together in hopes of providing a spark.

Crawford allowed three goals on the Kings' first six shots of the game and he saved 13 on 17 shots. Coach Joel Quenneville pulled Crawford with 3:01 remaining in the game, and Kings' winger Tanner Pearson scored for the final goal.