Postgame: That's all from Los Angeles this evening, as the Anaheim Ducks win 3-2 to cut their series deficit in half. Tune in Saturday for Game 4 from the Staples Center. Can the Ducks even the series, or will the Kings take a commanding 3-1 series lead? The opening faceoff is set for 6:30 Pacific. Thank you all for tuning in to Vavel USA , and have a good night.
Postgame: The Ducks played a solid road game and came out on top, posting their first win of the series. Before he left with an apparent leg injury, Frederik Andersen played well enough to give the Ducks a lead. Los Angeles did not play quite as hard as they did in Anaheim, seeming to be more careless with the puck than they've been in quite some time. Although some of them were questionable calls, the penalties hurt the Kings. Anaheim was able to score two powerplay goals, which was the difference maker in tonight's contest. For a better result in Game 4, the Kings will have to keep the Ducks powerplay off the ice. If the Ducks can keep their powerplay effective, they can seemingly ride that to another win in this series.
Third Period 00:00: The Anaheim Ducks hold on to secure a 3-2 victory in Game 3.
Third Period :30: Kings goal! Mike Richards puts in the rebound to make it a 3-2 game. This goal all happened because Corey Perry broke his stick trying to put the puck in to an open Kings cage. Los Angeles took the puck from there down the ice and scored.
Third Period 1:00: The Kings still have an extra attacker, trying desperately to tie the game.
Third Period 1:59: Jonathan Quick heads to the Kings bench for an extra attacker.
Third Period 2:31: Final TV timeout. Drew Doughty turned the puck over just inside the Ducks zone to create the Lovejoy opportunity- which resulted in a goal. Turnovers have been deadly for the Kings tonight, a nasty habit they did not seem to have in the first two games in Anaheim 3-1 Ducks..
Third Period 2:55: Ducks goal! Ben Lovejoy beats Quick high to the glove side to make it a 3-1 Ducks lead.
Third Period 6:00: The Kings are still pressuring Anaheim in their own zone, searching for that goal to even the score at 2. But Hiller and The Ducks are not budging.
Third Period 7:30: Quick comes up big again, finding a point shot from Anaheim's Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks still lead 2-1.
Third Period 8:47: Selanne with a backhand try on Quick, but Quick makes a fantastic save.
Third Period 9:58: Second TV timeout. Frederik Andersen seems to fall back awkwardly on his leg and is in a great deal of pain. The goalie had the Ducks trainer out to check on the right leg. Andersen is out of the game, in comes Jonas Hiller for the Ducks.
Third Period 10:22: Andersen gives up a big rebound, leading to an open net staring at Slava Voynov, but Voynov misses the golden opportunity on the backhand.
Third Period 12:48: Matt Beleskey heads to the Ducks locker room after being trucked by Kings captain Dustin Brown.
Third Period 13:04: Dustin Brown with a big chance off of a Kopitar faceoff win. No luck, as Andersen makes the save.
Third Period 13:47: First TV timeout. Los Angeles is stringing together a few good shifts, but still unable to tie the game. Look for them to keep the pressure up.
Third Period 14:00: A strong shift for young Kings Pearson and Toffoli​- along with center Carter- resulted in a few chances on the Ducks goaltender. More shifts like that for the Kings could be promising.
Third Period 16:39: Dwight King of the Kings with a great chance down low, but Andersen say no.
Third Period 17:16: Some end-to-end action to begin this third period. Both teams have had a few chances, but still a 2-1 Ducks lead.
Third Period 19:31: Andrew Cogliano of the Ducks is slow to get up after a Kyle Clifford bodycheck.
Second Intermission: Shots were 10-7 in favor of the Kings. Los Angeles lead in hits as well, with 22 to Anaheim's 13.
Second Intermission: From a Kings Perspective- A better period than the first, but they still spend the second intermission behind by a goal. The Kings made good on their only powerplay opportunity of the second, but the Ducks had a powerlplay goal of their own. Frederik Andersen looks to be rattled after allowing the goal, kicking out big rebounds on Los Angeles shots. If the Kings can keep getting shots on the Ducks tender and stay out of the box, they can hope to tie this game up in the third frame.
Second Intermission: From a Ducks Perspective- An opportunistic second period finds the Ducks going to the locker room with a one goal lead. They were outplayed at times in the second. The powerplay goal they allowed let Los Angeles back in to the game, but Andersen shut the door on the Kings. Although Andersen let out a lot of rebounds in the second, the Ducks were quick to cast aside any loose pucks that the Kings did not first pounce on. Another strong defensive effort, along with a stellar outing from Andersen in this third can lead to a Ducks victory here in Game 3.
Second Period 4:20: Final TV timeout. The ageless wonder gives the Ducks a 2-1 lead with two seconds left on the Doughty minor. Up to the goal, Los Angeles was killing the penalty beautifully, including a lot of time on a 4 on 3 penalty kill situation.
Second Period 4:50: Ducks powerplay goal! Teemu Selanne makes the best of a 2 on 1 rush with Nick Bonino, breaking the tie. 2-1 Ducks.
Second Period 6:48: Drew Doughty is called for hooking, creating a 4 on 3 powerplay for Anaheim.
Second Period 7:49: Coincidental minors are called on Tyler Toffoli of the Kings and Francois Beauchemin of the Ducks. 4 on 4 hockey.
Second Period 9:25: Marian Gaborik steals the puck off an Anaheim stick down low, and nearly puts the backhand chance past Andersen.
Second Period 9:43: Second TV timeout. Just before the break, Jonathan Quick came up big with a save on Beleskey. Both teams are pressing to take the lead, but we still have a 1-1 game.
Second Period 11:37: Andersen looks shaky in the Anaheim goal after allowing the Carter goal. The Kings will try to bury one of the many rebounds Andersen is allowing.
Second Period 11:59: First TV timeout. The Kings failed to capitalize on a solid forecheck after their goal. They have controlled much of the second period, and they have done this largely in part to their physical play.
Second Period 14:00: Los Angeles seemed to have found their old friend mo' after that powerplay goal by Carter. They controlled the play down in the Anaheim zone after tying the game. The crowd is back in to the game, look for the Kings to try to take the lead before the TV timeout.
Second Period 15:01: Kings powerplay goal! Jeff Carter one-times an Anze Kopitar pass from down low to make it a 1-1 hockey game.
Second Period 15:17: Anaheim is going to the box after Smith-Pelly is called for a high-sticking minor. This is the Kings first powerplay
Second Period 16:30: The Ducks seem to be insistent on setting up the cycle low in the Kings zone. A tactic often utilized by Los Angeles that can lead to quality scoring opportunities. Lets see which team makes the most of the cycle.
Second Period 18:20: Devante Smith-Pelly with a slapshot from the point, but Quick played the shot aggressively and made the save from well outside of his crease.
Second Period 19:59: Anze Kopitar wins the opening draw for Los Angeles and the second period is underway.
First Intermission: Shots were 10-9 in favor of the Ducks in the first. Los Angeles lead in the hit department with a 22-13 advantage.
First Intermission: From a Kings Perspective- Turnovers were a huge setback for Los Angeles in the first. A Jarret Stoll turnover early in the first resulted in a Ducks scoring opportunity, but Stoll got back to block the chance in front of an open Los Angeles net. The Kings have six turnovers up to this point, and will need to be smarter with the puck if they want to tie this up. Los Angeles seemed to be chasing Anaheim at times in the first, looking about a half -step behind the Ducks. They will need to pick up the intensity in the second if they hope to even the score.
First Intermission: From a Ducks Perspective- An ideal first period for the Ducks. They finally converted on a powerplay opportunity, as Perry buried one off a perfect pass from Patrick Maroon. They had a plethora of scoring chances that period, and if it wasn't for a solid twenty minutes from Jonathan Quick, the Ducks would have a much bigger lead. They can hope to keep the pressure up on Los Angeles and continue to force turnovers in the second period.
First Period 4:00: Andrew Cogliano of Anaheim comes up with a glorious opportunity from behind the net, just missing the left side of the Los Angeles cage.
First Period 4:48: Slava Voynov of Los Angeles with a big chance from inside the point, but Andersen keeps the score at 1-0.
First Period 5:56: Final TV timeout. Los Angeles has turned it on the last few minutes, peppering Andersen with shots. The Ducks goalie has given up some big rebounds, but still 1-0 Ducks.
First Period 7:17: Second TV timeout. Both goaltenders have been tested early. Although Quick has one against him, he and Andersen both are making big saves for their respective clubs.
First Period 8:08: The pace is fast and furious right now as both teams are getting their chances. 1-0 Ducks.
First Period 11:36: Both players are out of the box; both teams are back to full strength.
First Period 13:36: Devante Smith-Pelly of the Ducks received a roughing minor after the whistle. 4 on 4 hockey rather than an Anaheim powerplay.
First Period 13:36: First TV timeout. The Ducks have started to take control of this first period. They own a majority of the scoring chances so far. Still 1-0 Anaheim after Perry's powerplay marker, his first of the series.
First Period 15:54: Ducks powerplay goal! Corey Perry beats Quick on the blocker side to make it a 1-0 Ducks lead.
First Period 16:30: Trevor Lewis is called for interference. Anaheim has their first powerplay of the game.
First Period 16:47: Justin Williams has a quality chance on Frederik Andersen, along with a few words for the Anaheim goalie after the whistle.
First Period 18:45: Ryan Getzlaf pounces on a loose puck just inside the Los Angeles zone and sets up Matt Beleskey in the slot, reminiscent of the Beleskey's Game 1 goal. This time around, Quick makes the save.
First Period 20:00: The puck is dropped and we are underway!
Pregame: Andersen was 2-0-0 at the Staples Center this season. Many will argue that regular season numbers are irrelevant now in the postseason, but it is something to keep in mind.
Pregame: We are nearing the start of tonight's contest. It looks like Andersen will get the start in net tonight for Anaheim. Perhaps this change in the Duck's net can prove to be a wise decision. Only time will tell at this point.
Pregame: Be sure to stick with Vavel USA for all your Game 3 coverage, which will be under way in just under 90 minutes!
Pregame: Anaheim is counting on captain Ryan Getzlaf and former NHL all-star Corey Perry to spark the Ducks offensive. The duo has been shut down by Quick and the stingy defensive play of Los Angeles. The two Duck forwards have a combined two assists so far this series, while sporting a +/- of -2 in the two games. If Anaheim hopes to win tonight, they will need more production from Getzlaf and Perry.
Pregame: Anze Kopitar is currently the leading scorer in the NHL playoffs, with 14 points in nine games (4 Goals, 10 Assists). Kopitar has registered at least one point in every Los Angeles playoff game thus far. Look for Kopitar and Marian Gaborik to lead the offensive charge for the Kings in Game 3.
Pregame: Stephane Robidas is the only injury for Anaheim. Robidas broke his right leg back in the quarterfinal series against the Dallas Stars.
Pregame: The Kings will once again be without defensemen Robyn Regehr and Willie Mitchell for Game 3. Neither skated with the team this morning, as they are out with undisclosed injuries. Look for Matt Greene and Jeff Schultz to dress for Los Angeles as replacements.
Pregame: In net this evening for Los Angeles will be Jonathan Quick. The netminder for Anaheim tonight however remains a bit of a mystery. Jonas Hiller was the first goalie off the ice this morning at the morning skate, which is usually an indication that goalie will get the nod in net that night. Yet Frederik Andersen was not far behind Hiller off the ice. This could be a game-time decision for Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau. We will update once the decision is confirmed.
Pregame: Hello folks, and welcome to Vavel USA's coverage of Game 3 between these Southern California rivals. The Ducks are looking to get back in to this series with a win tonight, but Los Angeles is hoping to gain a 3-0 series lead. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 Pacific.