Kings 4, Blackhawks 3: Jeff Carter followed up his four-point performance in Game 2 by collecting a goal and two assists as host Los Angeles seized a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference final.

Linemate Tyler Toffoli scored for the third consecutive contest with 5:41 remaining in the second period to snap a tie for the Kings, who look to push defending Stanley Cup-champion Chicago to the brink of elimination when they host Game 4 on Monday. Drew Doughty recorded a goal and an assist and fellow defenseman Slava Voynov also tallied while Jonathan Quick finished with 24 saves.

Captain Jonathan Toews scored twice in the first period and Patrick Sharp deflected defenseman Nick Leddy's shot with five seconds remaining in the third. Corey Crawford turned aside 28 shots for the Blackhawks, who failed to convert on all four of their power-play opportunities.

Toffoli took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone and split a pair of defenders before tucking the puck under the extended left pad of Crawford to give Los Angeles a 3-2 lead. Doughty provided insurance at 11:57 of the third period, blasting a shot from above the right faceoff circle past the screened goaltender.

The Blackhawks drew first blood at 5:26 of the first period as Toews stripped Justin Williams of the puck before beating Quick between the pads for a short-handed goal. Voynov answered 50 seconds later, patiently sizing up his shot from the inner edge of the left circle, but Toews restored Chicago's lead at 13:19 by cleaning up a loose puck from the right doorstep for his team-leading eighth goal. Carter, who recorded his second career playoff hat trick in a 6-2 win in Game 2, countered 8:08 into the second by tapping rookie Tanner Pearson's centering feed past Crawford from in close.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nicknamed "That '70s line", the trio of Carter, Toffoli and Pearson has combined for nine goals and 10 assists in the last four contests. ... Los Angeles scored twice on four shots during the second period. ... Chicago C Andrew Shaw returned from a seven-game absence due to a leg injury suffered on a check from Minnesota D Clayton Stoner. He replaced C Peter Regin in the lineup. ... The legendary Wayne Gretzky, NFL Hall-of-Famer Dick Butkus and former Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham were in attendance at Staples Center along with actors Josh Duhamel, Eric Stonestreet and Taylor Kitsch. Ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash performed the national anthem prior to the game.