Los Angeles Kings claim Game 3, 2-1, put Phoenix Coyotes on verge of elimination -NHL Playoffs Update
Los Angeles Kings certainly deserve all praise as they continued to dominate and stay perfect for the seventh straight game in two series by putting Phoenix Coyotes on the verge of elimination after winning Game 3 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL)
Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Finals, 2-1.
Kings are all set to create history as they have lost just one of 12 matchups so far in the postseason with that being against Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.
As they defeated Phoenix Coyotes in both games at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, returning home is always a game since Kings are one of those rare squads that play better on the road than home.
The STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, was all set and fans were going wild seeing their team on Thursday, May 17, and Kings certainly did not fail to impress.
Daymond Langkow got the first goal of the night 1:03 into the second period for his first of the postseason after a scoreless opening 20 minute competition. Anze Kopitar levelled the match up with his fifth goal of the playoffs on a breakaway with Coyotes
defenders following behind as he slipped it past Mike Smith.
Dwight King come up big yet again for Los Angeles Kings with the last period game-winner, but with 19 minutes left to play, Phoenix Coyotes had all the time in the world to make a comeback and at the very least, force an overtime competition.
Phoenix defenseman were able to play much better than the previous two matchups as they limited Los Angeles to 28 shots on Mike Smith while having 19 quality attempts on Jonathan Quick.
"Phoenix was a lot better tonight, but we found a way to win," Kings’ Dustin Brown said. "That's what it takes this time of year. It's exciting. There's a lot of guys in here that haven't experienced this ... but the thing that's made this work is how we're
handling all this. We're up 3-0 again."
With two days to rest, Phoenix is determined to make a comeback, but it could also go in favour of the hot Kings club.
"We'll take a couple of days here and rest up, and what have we got to lose?" Phoenix coach Dave Tippett asked. "We'll come here and play as hard as we can. We'll give a real honest evaluation of who we are and how we got here."
Game 4 is set for Sunday, May 20, 2012 in Los Angeles.
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