Johnson Is Starting to Find Way to Net

Craig Johnson went more than two months without a goal to start the season, but he’s on a roll with two goals in his last four games.

“If you play any sport, whether it’s golf, baseball or whatever, it’s frustrating when you’re in a slump,” said Johnson, who has 72 goals in his nine-year career. “You feel like you’re not playing that bad, but when things aren’t going for you, you’re missing those three-footers on the golf course and those line drives are being hit to the second baseman. All of the sudden, you’re getting a little tighter and start pressing a little more.”

Johnson, however, never got discouraged, and by doing the little things, he ended his scoring drought with a game-tying goal against Pittsburgh and a key score against the Mighty Ducks last week.

“It’s a long season and you’re going to have your ups and downs,” said Johnson, who scored 13 goals last season and won Game 5 of a playoff series against Colorado with an overtime goal.

“You try and limit your downs, but I just had a longer stretch. It’s nice to finally score, but you don’t look at it like you have two goals in four games. I just try and remember the phrase, ‘There is no future. There is no past. The present is now, so make it last.’ ”

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Forward Brad Chartrand scored twice and picked up an assist against the Ducks after not scoring since the second game of the season.

“It’s nice to see those guys get on the score sheet for sure,” Coach Andy Murray said about Johnson and Chartrand. “We don’t ever consider those guys to be prolific scorers, but if you’re a forward in this league you have to score some.”

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Winger Adam Deadmarsh, sidelined the last week because of an undetermined ailment, possibly related to an early season concussion, will miss the Kings’ two-game trip.

“He’s day to day, depending on how he feels,” Murray said. “[Trainer] Pete [Demers] thinks that it might help if we just keep him off the ice for a couple of days. He’s been practicing regularly, but he just hasn’t been feeling right.”

TONIGHT

at Chicago, 5 PST

ESPN2

Site -- United Center.

Radio -- KSPN (1110).

Records -- Kings 15-10-4-3, Blackhawks 16-13-4-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks -- 1-0-0-1.

Update -- Forward Derek Armstrong, who has been hampered by a groin injury, made the trip and could play tonight. The Kings lost in overtime at Chicago on Oct. 31 but routed the Blackhawks at Staples Center on Nov. 30.