CHICAGO, June 1 (UPI) -- Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa each notched a second-period goal Saturday and Chicago edged Los Angeles 2-1 in the opener of the Western Conference finals.
Sharp's tally 12:29 into the middle frame off assists from Johnny Oduya and Michal Handzus forged a 1-1 tie for Chicago.
Hossa then put the Blackhawks ahead 4 minutes when he redirected a Duncan Keith shot with the shaft of his stick past Jonathan Quick and into the net.
Corey Crawford turned aside 21-of-22 shots for the top-seeded Blackhawks, who stayed hot after notching three straight wins to rally past the Detroit Red Wings in the second round.
Justin Williams scored and Quick finished with 34 saves for the defending NHL champion Kings, who are coming off a tough seven-game series victory over San Jose.
