Jonathan Toews led Chicago to an early Western Conference Final lead.
Kings vs. Blackhawks, Game 1 final score, highlights and reaction
Jonathan Daniel
1 - 3 CHI leads, 1-0
3 things to know
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Jonathan Toews is after the Conn Smythe
Toews is a greedy, greedy man. From the Stanley Cup to Olympic gold, the Blackhawks' captain has won everything worth winning in hockey at the tender age of 26. But now he's gunning for another trophy he's already won. Toews leads the league in game-winning playoff goals and was a force again in Game 1 against Los Angeles. Anze Kopitar might have the most points and Henrik Lundqvist could end up backstopping the Rangers to the Cup. But Toews continues to look like the hardest-working, highest impact player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far and he might wind up with another Conn Smythe because of it. -
The Kings looked tired
It's an excuse that typically gets laughed at this time of year, but the Kings truly looked slower than usual in Game 1. Even their coach surprisingly admitted it. Going the distance in their first two series wasn't a walk in the park, especially considering the Kings have played in more playoff games than any team in the last three years. That said, it'd be a mistake to think they'll let that weariness carry over to Game 2. -
Ovechkin should have stayed home
In hindsight, maybe letting their star player travel to Belarus for the IIHF World Championships wasn't a good idea by the Washington Capitals. When Alex Ovechkin went down with a bad knee injury on Sunday, it made a bleak season for the Caps even bleaker. We don't know how bad the injury is, how long it will keep him out of action or even how it will affect his career. But we do know that it will stoke the tried and true international hockey debate: should NHL teams allow players to risk their health in overseas tournaments?
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