LOS ANGELES — The Blackhawks Jersey don't like the Blues and they don't particularly enjoy the company of the Canucks, either.
When the Hawks face either of those teams, be it in the regular season or playoffs, the word "hatred" often pops up from players across both dressing rooms. When it comes to the Kings and Hawks — two powerhouses of the Western Conference the last few seasons — a more genteel word is uttered more often than most.
"There's a lot of respect on both sides," Hawks winger Patrick Sharp Jersey said. "Both teams respect what each other have accomplished. Once you've been through the grind a few times, you really appreciate what a team can do to win two championships in recent times."
Added Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, who scored in overtime of Game 7 of the conference finals last year to end the Hawks' season and propel his team to the Stanley Cup: "We've had a lot of playoff series and a lot of really good matchups with them over the course of the years. It's a respect thing."
Postseason familiarity often breeds contempt and the Hawks and Kings certainly are well acquainted after facing off in consecutive conference finals, with each team winning one before capturing the last two Stanley Cups.
The sides got together for their second of three meetings this season when the Kings rallied from three deficits Wednesday night to take a 4-3 victory at the Staples Center. They will battle once more at the United Center in late March and if form holds true from the last two seasons, will settle things in the conference finals for the right to play for a Cup in late May and early June.
"When the Kings and Chicago play, lots of people are excited," Hawks winger Marian Hossa said. "We are excited because they're always high-paced games. Both teams have accomplished so much in a short period of time."
Time has marched on since the teams engaged in an epic battle during the conference finals that Martinez ended when his shot from the point made its way through traffic and past goaltender Corey Crawford to stun the Hawks, who had tied the series after being down 3-1.
"That series was unbelievable," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Every game was incredible. We lost some tough games. Game 5, unbelievable, then you look at Game 6. Game 7, we don't like to think about. It was one of those series that will go down as one people will remember."
The LA Kings Jersey have some work to do even to reach the playoffs as they stand in fifth place in the Pacific Division and currently out of the postseason mix. The Hawks begin the stretch drive of the season — Wednesday's contest was Game 48 of 82 — looking to enhance their playoff positioning.
"To me, the playoff race started early in October," Quenneville said. "It's an interesting battle we have. You look at our division and conference … there is a lot of meaning every game. These are going to be like playoff-like atmospheres or playoff games from here on out."
Getting healthy: Winger Kris Versteeg, who suffered a left hand injury Jan. 1 that later required surgery, skated in Chicago on Wednesday. Quenneville said it's unlikely Versteeg will join the Hawks on this trip that ends Feb. 8 against the Blues.
"We should have a better indication of how close he is … when we get to see him live," Quenneville said.
Meanwhile, Quenneville said defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk could begin skating next week. The rookie suffered a left patella fracture Nov. 16 against the Stars.
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