Kings vs. Blackhawks: Next chapter in Los Angeles-Chicago rivalry

Los Angeles and Chicago have a short but intense playoff relationship, with the Kings and Blackhawks set to play Game 1 in the NHL Western Conference final at 2 p.m. PDT Saturday.

A quick primer.

Lakers vs. Bulls

The Lakers won NBA playoff series from the Bulls in 1968, 1971, 1972 and 1973. The dominance came to an end in the 1991 NBA Finals. The Bulls won in five games.

Moral of the story: best to play the Bulls without Michael Jordan.

Dodgers vs. Cubs

A three-game sweep in 2008 by the Dodgers -- whatever happened to that Manny Ramirez guy? The Cubs were favored. Another Billy Goat moment.

Angels vs. White Sox

In a word: Pierzynski.

The Angels led the 2005 American League Championship Series, 1-0, and Game 2 was tied, 1-1. A.J. Pierzynski swung at strike three with two outs in the ninth inning. The ball bounced into catcher Josh Paul’s glove and he rolled it back to the mound. Pierzynski reached first. A pinch runner, a stolen base, a double later and the Angels were done. White Sox won in five.

Rams vs. Bears

In 1950, a flu-stricken Bob Waterfield could not practice the week before the NFL playoff game. He came off the bench to throw three long touchdown passes to Tom Fears. Rams 24, Bears 14.

The Rams had a different quarterback experience in a 24-0 loss to the Bears in the 1985 NFC title game. The snapshot moment came when a wounded pass by quarterback Dieter Brock fell nowhere near receiver Bobby Duckworth.

Analyst John Madden summed the day up, “That looked like a duck to Passworth.”

Kings vs. Blackhawks

In 1974, Kings Coach Bob Pulford said after Game 5, “I never really believed the Hawks were that good defensively.”

Blackhawks won in five, holding the Kings to one or fewer goals in their four wins.

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