The LA Kings continue their new defensive look as they take on the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at the United Center.

After seeing Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson come over from the Ottawa Senators, the Kings have shown some defensive promise in the two games that they’ve played so far.

On Thursday, the Kings lost a hard-luck game to the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 3-1. Jonathan Quick stood on his head in that game by stopping 36 of 38 shots but he was outdueled by Matt Murray in what was essentially a one goal game until the empty netter.

Then on Saturday, the Kings played a perfect road game in Buffalo that led to the Sabres being booed off the ice after the second period. LA took away the middle of the ice, which forced the Sabres to force the pucks along the boards.

By forcing the Sabres to the board, the Kings were able to easily transition into the offensive zone to create pressure on Robin Lehner and eventually Chad Johnson. Essentially the team waited for the Sabres to make a mistake and then pounced on it when it happened.

Now they head to Chicago to face their old rivals who are going through some tough times right now. The Blackhawks are 13 points behind the Minnesota Wild for second Wild Card position and are 14 points behind the Dallas Stars for the third spot in the Central Division.

This might be the first time since 2008 that we don’t see the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Meanwhile, closer to home, the Kings are two points behind the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks for third place in the Pacific Division and four points behind the Stars for the second Wild Card spot. Those two playoff spots has been a game of musical chairs as someone else is in that spot on any given night.

Quick was the first goalie off the ice for the Kings during their morning practice and is expected to start. The 32-year-old is 22-21-2 with a GAA of 2.51 and a .920 save percentage. He was a Vezina Trophy candidate before the Kings struggled post All-Star break.

After the Blackhawks lost usual starting goalie Corey Crawford to a season ending injury, the Blackhawks will be riding Anton Forsberg as their starter tonight. Forsberg is 6-11-3 over 23 games this season and he has a 2.95 GAA with a .908 save percentage.

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