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The Kings have forced a Game 7 in this Western Conference Semifinal. these two teams will meet again Friday night in Anaheim, largely in part to a tight defensive system on display by the Kings. They tightened up with the puck, allowing fewer turnovers than in Game 6. The winning goal was a shot that had business going in the net, but in the postseason, you take them any way you can get them. The Ducks played a solid game, worthy of a win. If they didn't face such a hot goalie, the outcome may have been different. Failing to score on the powerplay haunted the Ducks tonight.So-Cal hockey fans are getting all they could have dreamed of from the freeway series. Join Vavel USA for coverage of Game 7, Friday night from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Thank you for tuning in, and have a great night. 

Third Period 00:00: The Los Angeles Kings have held on to win 2-1. The Ducks attacked the net hard, nearly tying the game, but Quick and the defensive game of the Kings keep the puck out of the net. 

Third Period :29: Los Angeles has taken their thirty second timeout. The Ducks are pushing hard, but Quick is playing like a man possessed, keeping the Ducks at bay. 

Third Period 1:23: The Ducks have pulled the goalie for a 6 on 5 man advantage. 

Third Period 2:13: The Ducks kill off the penalty, preventing the Kings from capitalizing. Gibson with some unbelievable saves. 

Third Period 4:13: Final TV timeout. Ben Lovejoy is caught hitting Tyler Toffoli of the Kings high with his stick. Kings are heading to the powerplay in search of their first powerplay strike of the game. 

Third Period 4:59: The Kings kill off the penalty beautifully. 2-1 Kings

Third Period 6:59: Slava Voynov takes an unescessary penalty, giving the Ducks another chance with the man advantage. 

Third Period 7:14: The ice is starting to tilt in favor of Anaheim. They've had a lot of chances in the last few minutes. 

Third Period 9:00: Kyle Palmeiri tests Quick with a one-timer chance from the faceoff circle, but no dice. Quick is playing his best game of the series. 

Third Period 9:48: Second TV timeout. The Kings had some chances on the 1:20 of powerplay time, but Anaheim kept the score at 2-1. Both teams have failed to convert on the powerplay up to this point. 

Third Period 10:13: The Ducks are back to full strength. Still 2-1 Kings. 

Third Period 11:35: Gaborik is out of the box, creating an abbreviated Kings powerplay. 

Third Period 12:13: Getzlaf is called for slahing, making it  4 on 4.

Third Period 13:35: First TV timeout. The teams exchanged chances before the break, with both teams narrowly finding the back of the net. The best chance may have belonged to Jeff Carter, who beat Gibson high to the glove side, but failed to beat the post. Gaborik was called for hooking, sending the Ducks back on the powerplay.  

Third Period 17:00: The Kings are keeping the pressure on the Ducks defense deep in their zone. The Ducks are coughing the puck up because of this tenacious Kings forecheck. Some chances have been generated from these turnovers, but Gibson is continuing his stellar play in net for Anaheim

Third Period 19:10: The Kings forecheck results in a Ducks turnover. The ensuing chance was handled easily by Gibson. 

Third Period 19:59: The third period is underway.  

Second Intermission: Shots were in favor of the Kings in the second by a count of 8-7. The Kings again lead in the hits with a 16-8 count. 

Second Intermission: From a Kings Perspective- Going in to the third with a lead is never a bad thing, and the Kings have to be satisfied with the lead after forty. they have played a tight game in front of their net, not allowing many shots to encounter Jonathan Quick. Their wins in the faceoff circle have resulted in scoring opportunities that they will hope to convert on in the third. In a sense, they got lucky on the goal by Lewis, but they proved that any play on net is a good one tonight. If they can continue to lock it down defensively, they have a good shot at securing a Game 7

Second Intermission: From a Ducks Perspective- They found their way on to the board, only they also allowed the Kings to score again. They are spending a lot of time in their zone. The second Los Angeles goal- which Gibson should have stopped- seemed to spark the ​Ducks game, as they played a more intense brand of hockey from that point on. If they want to get back in this game, the Ducks will have to get more shots past the Kings defense and on Quick. Keep in mind they are only down by one. 

Second Period 00:00: The second period ends with action at both ends of the ice. Both teams had their chances, but the goaltenders are keeping the score at 2-1 Kings

Second Period 2:02: The Ducks have killed off the infraction and are back to full strength. 

Second Period 4:02: John Gibson, seemingly down and out, makes the save of the night on a Drew Doughty chance.Perreault takes a hooking penalty as a result of the Kings chance. This is the Kings second powerplay opportunity. 

Second Period 4:18: Ducks goal! Kyle Palmeiri cashes in on a Tanner Pearson turnover to make it 2-1 Kings

Second Period 4:47: Final TV timeout. Saku Koivu nearly cut the deficit in half before the break, but the goalpost comes up big to Quick and the Kings. The Ducks are hungry for a response here. This will be a test to the Kings defensive-minded game so far in Game 6

Second Period 5:56: Kings goal! A Trevor Lewis shot squeaks through John Gibson's pads, making it a 2-0 Kings lead. A soft goal from Gibson, it will be interesting to see how the young goalie reacts to allowing a softie. 

Second Period 6:24: Smith-Pelly with another opportunity on Quick, but Justin Williams tips the chance before it can make it on net. Still 1-0 Kings

Second Period 7:36: Second TV timeout. The Kings really seem to enjoy the penalty box. They are still taking more penalties than they should, especially when they result in Anaheim's powerplay unit coming out on to the ice. For the most part, Los Angeles has kept the Ducks on the perimeter on the man advantages, but they would be wise to eliminate the powerplays altogether. 

Second Period 9:22: Los Angeles is back to full strength. 

Second Period 11:22: Drew Doughty is sitting in the box after slashing Corey Perry. The third opportunity for the Ducks powerplay. 

Second Period 11:22: First TV timeout. The Kings are playing a more responsible defensive game so far, noticeably blocking more shots than what they've done before. The edge in this game definitely goes to Los Angeles. It looks as though the Ducks are going back on the powerplay when action resumes. 

Second Period 14:45: The Kings are back to full strength. 

Second Period 16:45: Dwight King is spending the next two minutes-or less- in the box for hooking. Ducks second powerplay opportunity. 

Second Period 17:45: Matt Greene breaks up a Ducks 2 on 1 with his stick. Great play to prevent the scoring opportunity. 

Second Period 19:36: The Ducks have killed off the Smith-Pelly penalty; teams are back to full strength. 

First Intermission: Shots in the first period were 8-5 in favor of the Kings, while they outhit the Ducks 19-16

First Intermission: From a Kings Perspective: It's easy to see that the Kings are comfortable and confident in what could be their last game of the season. They seemed to play with a bit of urgency and increased focus compared to Game 5. They- so far- have cut down on the turnovers, which hurt them before. If they can keep the puck movement crisp and continue to play physically, they can look to build on this lead. 

First Intermission: From a Ducks Perspective- Not the start they drew up in the room before this game began. The Ducks were both outhit and outshot by Los Angeles in the first twenty. Not only did they get beat statistically, Anaheim didn't seem to match the jump and intensity Los Angeles came out with. To get back in this game, the Ducks are going to need to turn their game up a notch for the second. 

First Intermission: The Ducks kill off most of Smith-Pelly's minor penalty before the horn sounded the end of the first period. After one, it's 1-0 Kings

First Period 1:36: Smith-Pelly is heading to the box for boarding Slava Voynov. First powerplay for the Kings tonight. 

First Period 2:00: Muzzin continues to find a way to get shots on net, generating at least his third chance of the period for the Kings

First Period 2:59: Final TV timeout. The Kings definitely look like the more urgent team so far in the first frame. Anaheim has tested Quick a bit, but the majority of the action has been in the Ducks zone. Solid start for Los Angeles, but it is still early. 

First Period 4:43: Kyle Clifford is a new addition to the Kings lineup tonight, his first game since Game 4 of this series. Clifford is making his presence felt so far, hammering the Ducks defense anytime the puck is sent to their corner. 

First Period 6:21: Corey Perry sets up Devante Smith-Pelly inside the right faceoff circle, but Quick makes the save. 1-0 Kings

First Period 9:14: John Gibson fumbles the puck trying to play it in the slot and it almost costs him and the Ducks a goal. Ben Lovejoy makes the save on the Gaborik attempt on a vacant goal. 

First Period 9:27: Second TV timeout. Los Angeles is building momentum off that opening goal by Jake Muzzin. Shortly after the goal, another great chance was due in part to a shot from the point. Offense from the defense will be critical here for the Kings

First Period 9:50: Jeff Carter has a glorious chance down low, but Gibson makes the save. 

First Period 11:44: Kings goal! Jake Muzzin creeps in from the point to bury an Anze Kopitar pass. 1-0 Kings

First Period 12:04: First TV timeout. Up until the Ducks man advantage, Los Angeles was starting to build upon some strong forechecking and physical play. Anaheim's powerplay moved the puck well and generated a few opportunities, but Quick made some quality saves to keep the game scoreless. 

First Period 12:35: Los Angeles kills off what looked like a strong powerplay attempt by the Ducks

First Period 14:35: Matt Greene is called for interference after absolutely trucking over Mathieu Perreault. Perreault missed some time this series due to injury, and that hit looked to flare up some lingering pain for the Anaheim centerman. 

First Period 15:30: The Kings seem to setting the tone physically, with the Ducks quick to respond. Both teams are forchecking hard, but Los Angeles seems to have the advantage in opportunities thus far. 

First Period 17:10: Dustin Brown has a chance low on Gibson, courtesy of the lethal Marian Gaborik. Still no score. 

First Period 18:15: Los Angeles is already crashing Gibson's net, creating chances against him. The aggressive style could help the Kings solve Gibson early. 

First Period 20:00: Game 6 is underway!

Ryan Getzlaf is having quite a series for Anaheim. The Ducks Captain has seven points (1G, 6A) so far this series and has lead a deep Anaheim offense through the first five games. Look for his strong play to ignite his right winger, Corey Perry. Perry only has three points (1G, 2A) thus far, and more is expected from a player of his caliber. The Ducks have been able to make up for Perry’s lack of offense through a collected effort from all four lines who are equally producing through this postseason. These two are due in for a strong game together, and Game 6 could be that game.

Expect Mike Richards to take his play to another level tonight for the Kings. The Los Angeles Kings Center has a mere two points (1G, 1A) this series while sporting a -2. From a Memorial Cup to an Olympic Gold to a Stanley Cup, Richards has proven throughout his career that he’s a winner. Players with a resume like his find a way to shine in the critical moments. Look for him and longtime teammate and friend Jeff Carter to have a strong Game 6.   

Live NHL Playoffs 2014

Marian Gaborik is continuing to dominate offensively in this series for Los Angeles. His seven points (5G, 2A) lead both teams through the first five games. Look for Gaborik and postseason point leader Anze Kopitar to challenge Gibson early and often in Game 6. But the Kings will need others to chip in tonight if they want to extend this series. Justin Williams, Jarret Stoll, and Captain Dustin Brown only have four assists between the three of them (although it should be mentioned they are also collectively a +3 through five games). The Kings need more from their offense if they want to play in a Game 7.

Anaheim is expecting to go with Gibson again in net, and Quick should be between the pipes for Los Angeles tonight. Gibson has played tremendously in the past two games, but how we he fare against a desperate hockey team that knows how to win in the spring? It’s a safe bet to say Quick will put on his finest performance of the postseason tonight. The Kings may not be able to afford anything less from their all-world goalie.  

Ducks - Kings

The Kings once again finds themselves in a must-win situation. Los Angeles has dropped three straight after winning Games 1 and 2 at the Honda Center. This team should be as comfortable as any in a game like this after their historic Quaterfinal comeback against San Jose. The last time the Kings dropped three straight in the postseason, they began said comeback. They’ve been streaky all year, but tonight could be their last chance to break this losing skid. Can history repeat itself so soon for the Kings, or will the Ducks fly to the Mid-West to take on the Chicago Blackhawks?

The Ducks have a chance to book a spot in the Western Conference finals with a win tonight. After dropping the first two contests on home ice, the Ducks have strung together three straight wins. The last two wins are largely in part of the rookie netminder John Gibson. The twenty year old Duck goalie is now 2-0 in this series, which happens to be his playoff debut in the NHL. After shutting the Kings out in Game 4, Gibson pitched another brilliant performance in Game 5. Although he lead Anaheim to only a 4-3 victory, Gibson turned aside numerous opportunities from the Kings in the final thirty minutes of Game 5.  

Good evening folks, and welcome to Vavel USA’s LIVE commentary on Game 6 between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Tonight’s game will have an early start with the opening faceoff scheduled for 6:30 Pacific.

It's do-or-die for the Kings tonight, they find themselves yet again on the brink of elimination. Can the Anaheim Ducks close this series out and earn a spot in the Western Conference finals, or will Los Angeles live to play another game this spring?  

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About the author
Bradley Meyers
Born in Southern California, but through hockey, was lucky enough to see much of the United States and Canada. Now that the skates are hung up, Bradley attempts to use his experiences to invite the readers to share his perspective of the ice.