Connor Bedard scored his third goal in as many games to help the Chicago Blackhawks secure a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. Wyatt Kaiser added his first goal of the season, while Spencer Knight made 26 saves in net for Chicago. The win improves the Blackhawks' road record to 4-1-1 in their last six games.
The Chicago Blackhawks (12-9-6) defeated the Los Angeles Kings (12-8-7) 2-1 on December 4, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. Bedard opened the scoring at 6:17 of the second period, sweeping in Tyler Bertuzzi's centering pass on a power play just nine seconds into the advantage. It marked Bedard's fourth goal and sixth point over his past three games, bringing his total to 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 19 games.
Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill praised Bedard's growth: “I think he’s obviously taken that big, big step this year to that next level. ... It’s just been a good maturation process for him.”
Wyatt Kaiser extended the lead to 2-0 at 19:54 of the second period with a wrist shot from the slot, capitalizing after the Kings failed to score on a loose puck near Knight's crease. Frank Nazar recorded two assists, contributing nine helpers in his last 10 games despite a 15-game goal drought. Knight stopped 26 shots, including key saves during a late 6-on-4 power play for Los Angeles after Bedard was penalized for hooking and Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper was pulled.
Knight reflected on the defensive stand: “I think it’s really important for us to be in those situations, because that’s just what good teams have to do and learn how to do.”
Trevor Moore pulled the Kings within one at 10:38 of the third period on a wrist shot from the left circle, assisted by Warren Foegele, who had returned from a three-game absence due to an upper-body injury. Kuemper made 34 saves, but Los Angeles went 0-for-5 on the power play. The Kings have scored two or fewer goals in six of their last eight games, going 2-3-3 in those contests.
Foegele noted the team's struggles: “This game, a lot of it has to do with confidence. And when pucks aren’t going in, you know, for a stretch there, it definitely wears on guys in the room.”
Drew Doughty returned for the Kings after missing seven games with a lower-body injury sustained on November 15 against the Ottawa Senators. He logged 19:12 of ice time with one shot and a plus-one rating. Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen left the game after being hit in the face by a puck with 56.4 seconds remaining but is expected to be fine, per Blashill. Nine of the Kings' past 10 games have been decided by one goal (4-3-3). The teams meet again in Los Angeles on Saturday.