Blake’s conduct sets tone for team’s physical play

CHICAGO -- When the captain got edgy and ornery -- after all, Rob Blake did turn 38 on Monday -- it’s almost as though his Kings teammates fell into line and turned physical.

“We’ve hit a lot lately,” goalie J.S. Aubin said. “When we hit in the first period, that set the tone.”

He was talking Monday after the Kings’ 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center. Blake finished off the proceedings by getting a 10-minute misconduct with 37 seconds remaining, two days after he received, among other things, a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct against the Phoenix Coyotes.

“Blakey’s played that way his whole career,” Kings forward Michael Cammalleri said Monday. “He’s been a great teammate and a passionate guy and never afraid to stand up for his teammates or to set a statement when it needs to be done.

“So I know when I played against him when he was in Colorado, it was no fun. If you did something, you were going to get a good stiff left hand, a straight arm right to the chin. So he’s just continuing to do what he’s always done.”

Forward Alexander Frolov (injured groin) and goalie Jason LaBarbera (ribs) accompanied the team here for the start of this two-game trip to Chicago and Dallas.

Frolov will be a game-day decision, depending on how he is feeling this morning, and LaBarbera returned to practice on Monday morning but on a limited basis.

With games on consecutive days looming, the plan is to use both Aubin and youngster Jonathan Quick, according to Coach Marc Crawford.

Underachieving and now injured Ladislav Nagy (hip pointer) remained behind in Los Angeles. He has been sidelined the last two games.

--

TONIGHT

at Chicago, 5:30 PST, FSN West

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- United Center.

Records -- Kings 12-16-2, Blackhawks 14-13-2.

Record vs. Blackhawks (2006-07 season) -- 1-1-2.

Update -- Chicago has slipped of late, losing a season-high four straight games, most recently to Calgary on Sunday. Rookie scoring leader Patrick Kane (seven goals, 28 points) admitted the grind is starting to wear him down, saying as much on an NHL conference call Tuesday.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com