Los Angeles Kings rally to down Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in Game One -NHL Playoffs
Los Angeles Kings showed superb form as they came out to dominate the third and final period of regulation, downing Vancouver Canucks in game one of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Western Conference playoffs quarterfinals, 4-2, Wednesday night, April
11, 2012, at the sold-out Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The 18,000 plus fans in the Rogers Arena were expecting an easy win over Los Angeles as both teams headed into the final 20 minutes of the contest tied 2-2 but Kings made sure that they shutout Vancouver and took the match easily.
Despite 12 shots on the Los Angeles net in the third period alone, Jonathan Quick was just too good for the Vancouver offence as he blocked all while saving 24 of 26 throughout regulation. Roberto Luongo on the other hand, was widely outshot with 38 shot
attempts in his net and failed to block three as Canucks pulled him out in the final minute.
Alex Burrows potted the first of the night 4:17 into round-one followed by an equaliser from former Philadelphia Flyers top forward, Mike Richards, on the power play. Los Angeles killed off two straight penalties and bounced back to take advantage of their
first on a 5-on-3 man advantage as Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins went out less than a minute apart.
Willie Mitchell broke the tie and gave Kings a one point lead 16:33 through the second period on another power play goal but luckily, Vancouver stayed alive with Alexander Edler’s last moment goal with eight seconds left to play.
Dustin Penner made the game-winner with less than four minutes remaining in regulation as Vancouver struggled to get the equaliser with an extra skater having pulled out Luongo, but Dustin Brown’s empty netter at 19:42 sealed the deal.
Penalties killed the Canucks chances of winning the first as Los Angeles capitalised twice on eight chances while the home team failed on five opportunities.
Playing without Daniel Sedin also had the Canucks at a disadvantage but they will definitely be looking to counter back when Los Angeles and Vancouver face-off in game two of the quarterfinals on Friday, April 13.
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