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Sutter says Kings have to keep up better with Saad

Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad, front, raises his arms after scoring a goal as teammates, from left to right in back, Andrew Shaw, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane join in the celebration, against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of the Avalanche’s 3-2 victory in an NHL hockey game in Denver on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

AP

The Chicago Blackhawks put together an old line in Game 5 and it seemed to work wonders for them. Now the Los Angeles Kings have something to beware of heading into Game 6.

The trio of Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, and Patrick Kane gave the Kings fits on Wednesday night. That line teamed up for a goal in the first period and helped produce two others including Michal Handzus’ double-overtime game winner.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter seems to have one idea on how to slow them down as Curtis Zupke of NHL.com shared.

Sutter, who didn’t talk about Chicago’s changes after Game 5, acknowledged Thursday “the adjustment was we couldn’t keep up with Saad.” Asked about having the answer to counter the line, Sutter said, “The guys that played against them last night were not on top of their game, and that’s the answer.”

With Game 6 on home ice for the Kings, that means they’ll get the chance to get the match-up they’re looking for. The curious question is which line gets the call?

Anze Kopitar’s line has been matched up almost exclusively against Jonathan Toews’ line and “That 70s Line” with Jeff Carter up the middle may not be a great defensive fit. This sounds like a job for Mike Richards’ line.

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