Los Angeles Kings planning on advancing as Vancouver Canucks stand on edge -NHL Playoff Game 4 Preview
The value of the Los Angeles Kings team is going through the roof at the moment as they stand available to eliminate the regular season’s leading team, Vancouver Canucks, as they enter game 4 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Western Conference playoff
quarterfinal series on the brink of being thrown out.
Kings lead the series at the moment with a huge 3-0 lead and with a player like Mike Richards on the line-up, Los Angeles should be entering the contest more confident than ever.
Richards was the player that single handed, lead the Philadelphia team out of a 3-0 mess two seasons ago and if Vancouver had him this time, it would have been a different situation, but unfortunately, they do not.
"It's important to understand the desperation they're going to have, so we bring the same energy and enthusiasm," Richards said. "We shouldn't change our style of play, but we have to bring it to an even higher level if possible."
Vancouver’s veteran goalie, Roberto Luongo, just has not been playing like himself these past few games and again, has chocked in the postseason series just like last season but this time, it can be costly.
"No matter who starts, we have to be ready off the puck-drop to play our best game of the year," Luongo said.
Jonathan Quick on the other hand has been playing very well and has given Los Angeles a reason to breathe easier when it comes to their goaltending.
"We're doing all the things we need to do on defence consistently," Quick said. "If we stick to our game and keep it simple, that's how you compete with a team with that much talent."
Daniel Sedin might also be making a comeback in game 4 after missing the previous game due to reoccurring concussion symptoms, giving Vancouver something to look forward to.
Right now, Vancouver is just focused on winning the next and bringing the series back to the Rogers Arena and hoping the home-ice advantage will bring them some luck.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California at 10:00 PM ET.
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