LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings and defenseman Slava Voynov have agreed to terms on a new six-year contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Voynov, 23, shared the Kings postseason leadership in both goals (six) and total points (13), and he also co-led the Kings in plus-minus rating (plus-9) while appearing in all 18 postseason games for the Kings during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 6-0, 190-pounder from Chelyabinsk, Russia also established new Kings playoff records for most goals scored by a defenseman in one playoff year (six), and most game-winning goals scored in one playoff year (four), while finishing third on the team in average time-on-ice per playoff game (21:54).

Voynov skated in all 48 games with the Kings during the 2012-13 regular season, totaling new career highs for points (25) and assists (19), and two of Voynov’s six regular season goals served as game-winners (tied for sixth among NHL defensemen). He also hit a career milestone by appearing in his 100th career NHL regular season game at Minnesota on April 23.

Voynov recorded 20 points (8-12=20), a plus-12 rating and 12 penalty minutes in 54 games with the Kings during the 2011-12 regular season, his rookie season with the club. He also added another three points (1-2=3) and four penalty minutes in 20 postseason games with the Kings during their successful run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Championship. Voynov was recalled from the Kings minor league affiliate – the Manchester Monarchs – three times during the 2011-12 season.

As a rookie blue-liner, Voynov tied for first in goals (eight), tied for seventh in assists (12), finished third in points (20) and tied for first in plus-minus rating (plus-12) during the 2011-12 regular season. He made his NHL/Kings debut vs. St. Louis on Oct. 18, 2011, and he recorded his first three NHL points and his first NHL goal (2-1=3) at Dallas on Oct. 27, 2011. Voynov scored his first career playoff goal at St. Louis on April 28, 2012.

Voynov played three full seasons in Manchester before making the jump to the NHL during the 2011-12 season. While in Manchester, he was named to the 2010-11 AHL Second-Team All-Star squad and to the 2011 and 2010 AHL All-Star Teams.

Voynov has also played for Team Russia at the World Junior Championships in 2009 (bronze medal, alternate captain), 2008 (bronze medal) and 2007 (silver medal), and at the World U18 Championships in 2008 (silver medal) and 2007 (gold medal).

Voynov, who was selected in the second-round (32nd overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, has 45 points (14-31=45), 26 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating in 102 career NHL games – all with the Kings. Additionally, he has 16 points (7-9=16), four penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 38 career playoff games – all with the Kings.

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane's goal with 8:20 remaining in double overtime, his third of the contest, sent the Chicago Blackhawks into the Stanley Cup Finals thanks to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals from United Center.

Jonathan Toews carried the puck from the neutral zone all the way up ice on the left wing, until sliding a perfect cross-ice dish to Kane, who one-timed the series winner home from the right circle.

"It's nice to win, first and foremost. To contribute the last couple games, I think any player would be lying to you if they said it isn't nice," said Kane. "Two big wins the last couple games, especially tonight, after they came back and tied it up with nine seconds. For us to hang in there in the first overtime and pull it out in the second overtime was huge."

Duncan Keith recorded the other score for the Blackhawks, who flirted with disaster -- having wasted a 2-0 lead in the first period and a 3-2 advantage with less than 10 seconds in regulation -- but rebounded to advance to the title round for the first time since winning it all in 2010.

Corey Crawford stopped 33-of-36 shots in the triumph.

Dwight King, Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards lit the lamp for the Kings, who made an heroic last stand facing elimination, but failed in their quest to become the first repeat winner since the Red Wings of 1997-98.

Jonathan Quick made 31 saves in the season-ending defeat, the longest playoff game in Los Angeles history.

"We got beat in the Conference Finals by the best team in the conference at the end of the day," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Obviously we're disappointed to lose to Chicago, but we're certainly not disappointed in how we played."

Coupled with Boston's advancing in a sweep against Pittsburgh on Friday, the NHL championship will feature two Original Six franchises for the first time since the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers squared off in 1979.

Game 1 is slated for Wednesday in the Windy City. It will mark the first time the Blackhawks and Bruins have clashed for the Cup.

"They're on an amazing roll," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "They were on the ropes in one game, we were on the ropes for three. They got a lot of momentum where they're at right now. Should set up for a great final."

The hosts moved ahead with 3:52 left in regulation on a goal which could have broken the collective backs of most playoff teams. Kings forward Justin Williams appeared to be tripped up behind the LA net by Bryan Bickell, who took advantage and pushed the puck into the slot for Kane's successful shot and a 3-2 game.

Quick was hemmed into his own zone by Chicago's forechecking pressure, and was not able to come to the bench for an extra skater until 14.4 seconds to play, but the Kings tied the game on the ensuing faceoff.

Jarret Stoll won a right-circle draw back to Slava Voynov, who pushed the puck to Kopitar along the boards. While he flipped a shot towards the net, Richards was left alone in front of Crawford for a deflection which sailed inside the near post with 9.4 seconds left.

For Richards, it was his first goal of the series in his return from a three- game absence from a suspected concussion.

In a relatively sedate and scoreless first overtime period, the visitors seemed to slowly gain momentum and carried an 11-6 shot margin.

The home crowd was riled up early, and exploded when Keith's blast from just inside the Los Angeles blue line rolled on edge and slipped between Quick's pads with 3:42 played in the first period.

It was 2-0 for the hosts at 5:59, when Kane outwaited a scramble in the crease, and managed to lift a shot past the outstretched stick of Kings defenseman Drew Doughty that hit the net just inside the crossbar.

Los Angeles crept back into the contest while shorthanded. Williams carried up the left-wing side and flipped a shot on goal while corralled by a Chicago defender. King followed behind the play and poked the loose puck through Crawford from atop the crease to make it 2-1 at the 9:28 mark of the second

Almost two minutes later, Quick flashed the left pad to stop Marian Hossa on a breakaway.

Kopitar's first point of the series was the tying goal, a power-play marker with 3:34 gone in the third period. He hung tough in front of the Blackhawks net and slid home the rebound of Jeff Carter's initial offering.

Game NotesKane's trifecta was his first in the postseason since a three-goal effort against Vancouver in a 7-5 victory during a clinching Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 11, 2009 ... Chicago improved to 9-1 at home in the 2013 postseason, while Los Angeles fell to 1-8 ... The Blackhawks welcomed back Keith after serving his one-game suspension for high-sticking Carter in Game 3 ... The Kings' previous longest playoff game was a 4-3 decision against the Vancouver Canucks on May 11, 1993 to win Game 5 of a Smythe Division semifinal ... Los Angeles last participated in a double-overtime game on May 6, 2001, a 1-0 victory against Colorado in Game 6 of a Western semifinal ... Chicago's last foray into double-OT occurred on April 20, 1997 in a 4-3 win against the Avalanche in Game 3 of a Western quarterfinal ... Attendance was 22,237.

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Chicago grabbed a stranglehold in the Western Conference finals against Los Angeles by doing what no other team had done in the playoffs: beat the Kings on their home ice.

Marian Hossa scored the winner early in the third and the Blackhawks locked down on defense in the final period to take a 3-2 win in Game 4 from the Staples Center.

With the win, Chicago now holds a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series and can return to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since winning it all in 2010 with a victory at home on Saturday in Game 5.

After taking the lead just 1:10 into the third, Chicago limited the Kings to just two shots on net and killed off a power play, the 54th successful kill in 56 times shorthanded in the playoffs.

Bryan Bickell posted a goal and an assist, while Patrick Kane also scored for the Blackhawks, who got 19 saves from Corey Crawford in the win.

Dustin Penner and Slava Voynov scored for the Kings, who had won all eight home games in the playoffs coming into Thursday, including a 3-1 win in Game 3 of this series on Tuesday.

Jonathan Quick turned away 25 shots for Los Angeles, which will have to rally with three straight wins if it wants to defend its Stanley Cup crown.

The deciding goal came when the Kings went for a quick line change and the Blackhawks took advantage. Johnny Oduya fired a quick pass out of his end to Michal Handzus in the neutral zone. Handzus took the puck in down the left wing and fired it over to the right where Hossa one-timed it home for his seventh of the playoffs.

From there, the Chicago defense did it all as Crawford wasn't tested the rest of the way.

A high-sticking call on Michael Frolik with 4:37 to play gave the Kings a chance to tie the game, but they couldn't even get a shot on goal before the power play expired.

Los Angeles even had trouble getting Quick out of the net late in the game for the extra attacker as the Blackhawks' forecheck kept the pressure in the LA end.

The Kings struck at the 3:28 mark to take the early lead as Kyle Clifford picked the puck up behind the net and from the left side he backhanded it to the high slot where Voynov blasted it past Crawford to the stick side for his sixth of the playoffs.

Chicago, though, tied the game just under 10 minutes later after Frolik lifted the puck out of his zone and Bickell picked it up in the neutral zone. With the puck still rolling, Bickell flung it on net. Quick was able to get the glove on it, but not enough as it trickled in for Bickell's eighth of the playoffs.

Bickell nearly gave the Blackhawks the lead with three minutes to play in the first as he found himself down low with the puck, but Quick was able to come up with the stop.

Los Angeles scored quickly to open the second period for a 2-1 lead. Jeff Carter worked the puck down the right wing with a defender draped over him and tried to get a backhand on net. The puck slid off his stuck, but went to the front where Penner swiped it in for his third of the playoffs at 2:12.

Justin Williams found himself on a breakaway just over two minutes later, but Crawford used a poke check as Williams switched to the backhand to keep the puck out of the net.

Chicago had a 5-on-3 advantage for 53 seconds as Anze Kopitar took a delay of game call for flipping the puck over the glass with Matt Greene in the box for hooking. Los Angeles did a good job of keeping Chicago from setting up and the best chance came on a Nick Leddy left point shot just after the first penalty expired, with Quick gloving the puck to keep the lead.

The Blackhawks were pressing in the LA end late in the second period and were able to tie the game. Niklas Hjalmarsson fired a shot on net from the high slot that Bickell, tussling with a defender in front, tipped on net. The puck got behind Quick and Kane tapped it in just before it crossed the goal line for his third of the playoffs with 1:39 to play.

Game Notes: Chicago went 0-for-4 on the power play, while Los Angeles was 0-for-3 ... The Blackhawks played the game without defenseman Duncan Keith, who was handed a one-game suspension on Wednesday due to his slash to the face of Carter in Game 3 ... Hjalmarsson had two assists in the game ... Kings center Mike Richards sat out again with a head injury he suffered in Game 1 of this series.

(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings will try to remain perfect on home ice in the playoffs on Thursday, as they aim to tie the Western Conference finals in Game 4 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Kings lost the first two games of this best-of-seven series, but after winning Tuesday's Game 3 battle at home they have a chance to even the set at 2-2.

Los Angeles is 8-0 on home ice in this postseason and has won 15 straight at the Staples Center dating back to the regular season.

Chicago, meanwhile, will try to grab a 3-1 edge before the series heads back to the Windy City for Game 5 on Saturday. However, the top-seeded Blackhawks will have to win Game 4 without the services of top defenseman Duncan Keith, who has been suspended one game by the NHL for his actions in the second period of Tuesday's loss.

Keith was given a double-minor for high sticking at the 7:58 mark of the frame in an eventual 3-1 Los Angeles victory, after delivering a one-handed slash to the face of Kings forward Jeff Carter. His actions were in response to Carter appearing to slash downward on the blueliner's loose glove as he attempted to pick it up off the ice.

"It was accidental. I wanted to give him a tap but not where I got him. I felt bad," Keith said.

Accident or not, the loss of Keith is huge for Chicago. The former Norris Trophy winning defenseman is leading the Chicago defense with 10 points (1G, 9A) in the playoffs and is also tops on the team with an average ice time of 24 minutes, 44 seconds per game.

Sheldon Brookbank will make his first appearance of this postseason and take Keith's spot on the roster.

The Kings won Tuesday's game thanks in part to a bounce-back performance from goaltender Jonathan Quick. Last year's Conn Smythe winner rebounded from his worst performance of these playoffs, making 19 saves to help L.A. get on the board in the West finals.

Quick, who was pulled in the second period after surrendering all four scores on just 17 shots in a 4-2 loss during Sunday's Game 2, allowed only a late second-period marker from Bryan Bickell and then made a game-saving stop on the Chicago winger later in the contest to preserve Tuesday's triumph.

Justin Williams, Slava Voynov and Dwight King lit the lamp for the fifth- seeded Kings, who won their ninth consecutive postseason home contest dating back to their Cup-clinching decision against New Jersey nearly one year ago.

"We know the stats of teams that have come back from 3-0 and it's not very good," Williams said. "It was a must win and we responded with a great effort top to bottom. We were just quicker everywhere on the ice. They are a transition team and we just limited their time and space because we were on our toes than our heels."

Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford was the hard-luck loser after stopping 25 pucks for the Blackhawks.

"We knew exactly what kind of game they were going to play and that they were going to have more confidence and energy," said Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

The Blackhawks fell to 2-4 on the road in the postseason.

L.A. center Mike Richards skated Wednesday for the first time since suffering a head injury in the late stages of Game 1. Richards, who has two goals and eight assists in this postseason, sat out Games 2 and 3 with the issue and his status for Game 4 is uncertain.

Tyler Toffoli has filled in nicely for Richards during his absence, posting a goal and two assists over the last two games.

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Jonathan Quick rebounded from his worst performance of these playoffs, making 19 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings worked their way back into the Western Conference finals with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 from Staples Center.

Quick, who was pulled in the second period after surrendering all four scores on just 17 shots in a 4-2 loss during Sunday's Game 2, allowed only a late second-period marker from Bryan Bickell and then made a game-saving stop on the Chicago winger later in the contest to preserve Tuesday's triumph.

Justin Williams, Slava Voynov and Dwight King lit the lamp for the Kings, who won their ninth consecutive postseason home contest dating back to their Cup- clinching decision against New Jersey nearly one year ago.

Corey Crawford was the hard-luck loser after stopping 25 pucks for the Blackhawks, who could have put a stranglehold on this best-of-seven set with a win after taking two in a row on home ice to start.

The series stays in southern California for Game 4 on Thursday.

The Blackhawks amped up their attack -- which only produced 10 shots through 40 minutes of play -- in the final period, but Quick was equal to the task on several occasions.

None was bigger than his blocker save while seated against Bickell at the left post with just over three minutes remaining. The Chicago winger had the entire left half of the net staring him in the face, but rapid reflexes and a little luck from the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner saved the day.

Crawford was called to the bench for an extra skater with 1:07 on the clock, and King took a Jeff Carter carom off the back boards and hit the empty net with 27.3 seconds to go.

Williams beat Crawford with a low shot inside the left post just 3:21 after the opening faceoff.

It could have been worse for the visitors, but Drew Doughty's blistering right-point drive beat Crawford then ricocheted off the far post at the tail end of an LA power play in the final seconds of the first period.

Despite coming up short on their first power-play chance of the second period, the hosts went up 2-0 at 6:37 when Voynov scored from the right circle on a shot which ended up shattering his stick.

Just over a minute later, Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith gave a one-handed slash to the face of Carter -- drawing blood as well as a four-minute infraction -- but the visitors managed to shut down the LA power play and keep it a two-goal margin.

Chicago then halved its deficit when Bickell emerged from the right corner and beat Quick with a low shot to the far post just 34 seconds before intermission.

Game Notes: Los Angeles improved to 8-0 at home this postseason, three off the NHL record of 11, set by the Edmonton Oilers during their Stanley Cup run in 1988 ... The Kings have also reeled off 15 straight wins on home ice this year, since a 1-0 loss to Vancouver on March 23 ... Voynov's tally was his fifth of these playoffs, setting a new franchise record, and his four game-winning scores also set a club mark for players at any position ... After holding the Blackhawks scoreless on two power-play chances, Los Angeles has killed off 20- of-21 short-handed situations at home this postseason ... The Kings missed center Mike Richards for the second consecutive game due to a head injury suffered in the late stages of Game 1.

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings will be without center Mike Richards once more in Game 3 of their Western Conference finals on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center.

"Yes, absolutely he's out" Los Angeles head coach Darryl Sutter said at an afternoon press conference. "He's done a little bit every day but it's the same, no progress. If it was just about Mike Richards making the decision, Mike Richards is playing. You got guys who want to play, you got guys who don't want to play. Mike Richards wants to play."

Richards was the recipient of a big hit by Chicago's Dave Bolland behind the Blackhawks' net with 1:52 left in the third period of LA's 2-1 setback in Game 1.

The club is calling it a head injury and acknowledged that the 28-year-old was not on the ice during the morning practice.

Rookie forward Tyler Toffoli is expected to fill Richards' slot as he did in Game 2.

(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings hope to get on the board in the Western Conference finals, as their series against the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks shifts to Southern California for Tuesday's Game 3 battle at Staples Center.

The Blackhawks hosted the defending Stanley Cup champions in Games 1 and 2 and recorded victories in both outings to grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven set.

Chicago posted a 2-1 decision in Saturday's opener and notched a 4-2 victory in Game 2 on the following day. The Kings, who went 16-4 en route to the franchise's first championship last spring, are now 8-7 in this postseason overall and 1-7 on the road.

However, the fifth-seeded Kings have come back from a 2-0 deficit already this spring. L.A. lost Games 1 and 2 on the road in the first round against St. Louis before winning four straight.

The Blackhawks hope they can avoid the Blues' fate and will try to grab a commanding three games to none lead on Tuesday. Chicago has been using its speed to great effect in this series so far and will aim to keep doing that in L.A., where the Kings boast a 7-0 record in these playoffs.

In fact, the Kings haven't lost a home game since March 23 against the Vancouver Canucks. Including the playoffs, L.A. has won 14 consecutive tilts at Staples Center.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have won five straight overall since trailing Detroit 3-1 in the conference semifinals.

Corey Crawford posted 29 saves and 10 different Blackhawks registered at least one point in Chicago's victory Sunday at United Center. Andrew Shaw, Brent Seabrook, Michal Handzus and Bryan Bickell each scored once, while Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad added a pair of assists apiece for the Blackhawks.

"We're cycling the puck well," Shaw said. "We're going to the net and taking pucks to the dirty areas. We're rewarded that way."

Chicago also managed to chase Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick from Saturday's game, as the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy winner surrendered four goals on 17 shots before being removed near the midpoint of the second period. Jonathan Bernier stopped all nine shots he faced in relief for the Kings.

The Game 2 loss ended Quick and the Kings' 34-game playoff streak of not surrendering more than three goals. L.A.'s team mark was seven games longer than the previous NHL record of 27 set by Detroit from 2002-06. Quick's individual record was six starts longer than the old record set by Patrick Roy from 1992-94.

Prior to this series, Quick had a 1.50 GAA and a .948 save percentage to go along with three shutouts in this year's playoffs. He has an .887 save percentage and 4.03 goals against average in the first two games of this series.

Tyler Toffoli tallied a goal and an assist on Sunday for the Kings in place of an injured Mike Richards, who skated in pregame warmups but was unable to play after taking a big hit from Chicago's Dave Bolland late in the third period of LA's 2-1 setback in Game 1.

"I talked to him for a minute before the game," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said of Richards. "I didn't feel and he didn't feel he should play, either."

Jeff Carter registered the other goal for the Kings, who could be without Richards again in Game 3.

Chicago is 2-3 on the road in this postseason after going 18-4-2 away from the Windy City during the regular season.

Game 4 of this series is scheduled for Thursday night in Los Angeles.

If you weren't able to swing tickets to Game 7 of the Kings / Sharks series, don't fear.  One resourceful Kings fan has your back!  This guy strapped a GoPro to his head to give everyone a true, fans-eye view of the game...and it's sort of awesome.  Enjoy, and Go Kings, Go!  Beat the Red Hawks / Black Wings!

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Justin Williams isn't intimidated by the immense pressure that comes with playing in a Game 7. Rather, he has continuously excelled in do-or-die situations.

Williams scored both Los Angeles goals and Jonathan Quick made 25 saves as the Kings advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

The home team won all seven games in this tightly contested all-California series.

Slava Voynov had two assists for the Kings, who have won 14 straight at Staples Center and eight straight home playoff games dating to last year's Cup clincher.

Los Angeles will next face the survivor of the other West semifinal between Chicago and Detroit. Those teams also will settle things with a Game 7 on Wednesday night.

"Both Detroit and Chicago are going to be very challenging. We have a lot to prepare for," Quick said.

Williams participated in his fourth career win-or-go-home contest, and Tuesday's production now gives him five goals and four assists in those games.

"Goals are tough to come by, it just so happened I was able to get a couple tonight," Williams said. "I think I could have had a few more also. Sometimes the puck bounces your way. Certainly glad to help out."

The 31-year-old right wing struck twice in the second period before Dan Boyle solved Quick at the 5:26 mark of the third period. The San Jose defenseman beat the Los Angeles goaltender on the blocker side with a slap shot from the left point.

Quick, however, came up with his biggest save to keep the game tied. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner was down on his back after turning away Marc-Edouard Vlasic's point shot. The rebound landed on the stick of a wide- open Joe Pavelski, whose shot nestled in Quick's oversized glove, leaving the Sharks forward in a state of astonishment with 5:04 to play.

With time being an enemy, San Jose pulled netminder Antti Niemi, but the Kings neutralized the Sharks' attack to keep their title defense alive.

"We battled hard to get where we were," Sharks forward Logan Couture said. "We made some changes and played a good first round then forced, I think the best team in the league, to seven games and almost beat them in their building. It's tough to take."

Los Angeles got an early power play in the second period when Brent Burns was whistled for interference in the LA zone. Voynov broke his stick on a one- timer from the blueline, but the puck managed to slide below the icing line and carom off the end boards. Williams took a couple of whacks at the puck before shoveling it over the right pad of Niemi, who was trying to seal off the left post, 4:11 into the stanza.

"When I look at the game tonight, they got a power-play goal that we didn't get, and we didn't give them much time on it. And it was a lucky one, when you break the stick, the timing of that shot fools everybody including the goaltender," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan.

Moments after a Couture deflection nearly wound up in the Los Angeles net, Williams finished off a 3-on-2 rush by scoring in the left circle off a feed from Anze Kopitar. Niemi went to the splits, but the puck sailed past his right skate at 7:08.

"I certainly enjoy pressure situations, I know everyone in this dressing room does," Williams said. "We pride ourselves on being a team that, push come to shove, we're going to get it done."

Niemi did rob Williams of a hat trick later in the second period on another Kings power play, pushing across to get his right pad on a one-timer from a similar spot on the ice.

Game Notes

The Kings played their first Game 7 at home since 1989. They are now 4-4 all- time in Game 7s, while San Jose's record fell to 5-3 ... The home team has won 16 of the clubs' past 17 meetings in the last two seasons ... Sharks forward Scott Gomez played in the 10th Game 7 of his career ... Niemi stopped 16 shots ... Boyle played in his 100th career playoff game ... San Jose was 0-for-2 on the power play.