Los Angeles Kings hoping to keep road success, penalty killing up -NHL Playoffs Update
Los Angeles Kings have worked hard to where they are now and there is no doubt about that. What has gotten them here are two major aspects of their game, success on the road and penalty killing, which they hope to keep up as the 2012 National Hockey League
(NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Finals continue to progress against Phoenix Coyotes.
The last time Los Angeles Kings lost at the STAPLES Center in this year’s playoffs was against Vancouver Canucks in Game 4, which turned out to be their only victory of the quarterfinal series.
They went on to eliminate St. Louis Blues in four straight games and have now continued on with their dedication by shutting out Phoenix Coyotes at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona in Game 1.
Phoenix Coyotes had five chances to score with the extra skater on board as Los Angeles Kings’ players drew various penalties throughout, but they never gave up a single goal.
"You know what? That's something that we put our big focus on -- doing our PK the right way, four guys trying to outwork five guys," Kings goalie, Jonathan Quick, said. "We've been doing a good job of late, but that's all in the past. It means nothing going
forward here."
What Los Angeles should now be focusing on is how they can take advantage of their own power play opportunities as they also failed to grab a goal on four awarded to them.
Kings blocked shots, limited Phoenix to just four shots on the goal during their opportunities with the man in the penalty box, showing how great of a defensive team they have become under head coach, Darryl Sutter.
"When a guy goes down and blocks a shot, that's just sacrificing the body for the team and that's exactly what the postseason is about, playing with heart, playing for each other with determination," Kings’ defenseman, Drew Doughty, said. "That's exactly
what our team is doing."
Game 2 will be exciting to watch as Phoenix Coyotes will also be trying something new but Los Angeles Kings will definitely be a tough nut to crack with the overwhelming level of confidence they have now.
Tags: