* The Blackhawks have not allowed a power-play goal in their last three games (6-for-6) and lead the NHL in penalty-kill efficiency during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs (44-for-48, 91.7%). They have yielded only one power-play goal in 21 times shorthanded on home ice (20-for-21, 95.2%).

* The Kings are 8-4 in their last 12 games, including a 5-2 mark on the road; only the Rangers (with 6) have more wins as visitors this postseason. Los Angeles, however, paces the NHL with 29 road goals.

* The Kings have three of the top four road scorers in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Anze Kopitar (3-9—12 in 9 GP), Marian Gaborik (6-4—10 in 9 GP) and Jeff Carter (2-6—8 in 9 GP). Gaborik leads the NHL in overall goals (9) as well as road goals.

* Kopitar has registered at least one point in 13 of the team’s 15 postseason games, pacing the NHL with 14 assists and 19 points. He also has at least one point in 16 of the Kings’ last 18 games dating to the regular season (9-15—24).

RECORD RATINGS CONTINUE ON NBC SPORTS
The Second Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs ranked as the most-watched second round on cable on record (since 1994). The 25 games that aired on NBCSN and CNBC averaged 1.458 million viewers, up 2 percent versus last year’s second round (1.431 million, 21 games).

* NBCSN delivered four of the network’s top six most-watched second-round games ever: Game 7 of MTL-BOS (2.276 million), Game 7 of NYR-PIT (1.960 million), Game 1 of NYR-PIT (1.951 million) and Game 1 of MTL-BOS (1.925 million).

* Through the first two rounds, the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs rank as the most-watched on cable on record (since 1994). The 65 games have averaged 880,000 combined viewers on NBCSN and CNBC, up 19 percent versus last year (742,000, 63 games).

* The eight games that have aired on NBC through the opening two rounds have averaged 2.141 million viewers, up 10 percent versus last year (1.941 million, 6 games).

* NBC, NBCSN and CNBC have combined to average 1.026 million viewers through the opening two rounds (73 games), up 20 percent versus last year (852,000, 69 games).

NHL A FINALIST IN 3 CATEGORIES AT SPORTS BUSINESS AWARDS
SBJ’s 2014 Sports Business Awards take place tonight at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square. The NHL is a finalist in three categories: “Sports Executive of the Year” (Gary Bettman), “Sports League of the Year” and “Sports Event of the Year” (2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic).

Other notable finalists: “Sports Team of the Year” (Chicago Blackhawks), “Sports Facility of the Year” (Madison Square Garden), “Best in Sports Television” (NBC Sports Group) and “Best in Digital Sports Media” (NBC Sports Group).

LOOSE PUCKS
Former NHLer Radek Bonk announced his retirement from hockey. The 38-year-old forward was selected third overall by the Senators in the 1994 NHL Draft and compiled 194-303—497 over 14 seasons (with OTT, MTL and NSH) . . . Former NHLer Miroslav Satan also announced his retirement from hockey. The 39-year-old forward won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2008-09 and posted 363-372—735 in 1,050 career games (with EDM, BUF, NYI, PIT and BOS).

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Los Angeles @ Chicago, Game 2, CHI leads 1-0, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, TSN, RDS

thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information