CHICAGO – Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa scored in the second period, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Saturday in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
Corey Crawford made 21 saves, and the Blackhawks generated just enough offense to improve to 7-1 at home in the playoffs.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday.
Jonathan Quick stopped 34 shots, and Justin Williams scored for Los Angeles, which has won just one of seven road games in the playoffs.
Williams has scored the last three goals for the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings. He was responsible for all of Los Angeles' offense in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of the second-round series on Tuesday.
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Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap
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