Los Angeles once again with a comeback win, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to take the series lead at 2-1 over the Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews was a man possessed in Game 3, scoring two goals for his Hawks. But the 70's line of Carter-Pearson-Toffoli was once again too much for the Blackhawks, combining for five points (2G, 3A) tonight. The 70's line, along with timely scoring from the backend, and not to mention the stellar play of Jonathan Quick , gave the Kings a win Saturday evening. If they keep this pace alive, the Kings can look to take a 3-1 series lead Monday night. Chicago may want to follow the example put forth by their captain if they want to even this series. If they choose not to, and play like they did in Game 3, that flight back to the windy city will be a quiet one. Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to catch Vavel USA's coverage of Game 4 from Los Angeles Monday evening.
Third Period 00:00: Kings win by a score of 4-3, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Third period 00:03: Blackhawks goal! A Nick Leddy shot goes off a few bodies in front to make it a 4-3 game. Patrick Sharp with the goal.
Third Period 1:21: Chicago takes their timeout to prepare for the next eighty one seconds of regulation. Can they storm back to tie?
Third Period 2:17: Chicago has pulled their goalie, enabling a 6 on 5 advantage.
Third Period 4:20: Los Angeles is eating away at the clock, generating chances low in the Hawks zone. Time is a factor here for the Hawks..
Third Period 5:57: Third TV timeout. More Los Angeles scoring opportunities, but more accompanied Corey Crawford saves along with them. Chicago needs to get the puck in the Kings zone and get it on net if they hope to come back here.
Third Period 7:36: Second TV timeout. The Kings have scored the last three goals of this game, and look to have all the momentum. Although Doughty's goal came just as the powerplay expired, their man-advantage looked good, producing a few chances.
Third Period 8:05: Kings goal! Drew Doughty scores off a faceoff to make it a 4-2 Kings lead.
Third Period 10:06: Michal Rozsival is heading to the sin bin after high-sticking Kyle Clifford of the Kings. Los Angeles with their third powerplay.
Third Period 11:59: First TV timeout. Chicago is pressing, but Los Angeles is playing great defensively, preserving their 3-2 lead. The Hawks are having trouble getting shots on Qucik; Los Angeles is blocking a lot of shots, not even allowing Quick a chance to make a save.
Third Period 14:54: Los Angeles has been the better team so far in the third. Chicago needs to get back in this soon, as they do not want to be down on the scoreboard for much longer.
Third Period 16:29: The Kings fail to convert on the powerplay, and both teams are back to full strength.
Third Period 18:29: Nick Leddy is caught hooking , and is serving two minutes for it. The Kings are on the powerplay.
Third Period 19:50: The Kings are back to full strength.
Third Period 20:00: Chicago will start this period with ten seconds of powerplay time.
Second Intermission Chicago lead in shots in the second by a 10-4 count. They also outhit the Kings by a 8-7 count.
Second Intermission: From a King Perspective- Los Angeles has to be happy with their effort in the second period, once again coming back from a deficit to take the lead. They are really playing with fire by spending so much time in the box, but so far, the penalty kill unit has been magnificent. Jonathan Quick is playing well, but the less shots he sees in the third, the better for the Kings. If Los Angeles can play a strong defensive third frame, they can hope to take a 2-1 series lead.
Second Intermission: From a Blackhawks Perspective- The Blackhawks did not look as strong in the second period, allowing the Kings to score two and take the lead. They need to limit the turnovers and tighten up on the defensive zone coverage to limit the Kings chances. Scoring on the powerplay wouldn't hurt either. It's not like they have not had their opportunities .
Second Period 00:00: Both teams head to the second intermission with an upcoming ten seconds of Blackhawks powerplay time. The Hawks had great chances, but Quick and the Los Angeles penalty kill has been terrific.
Second Period 1:50: Once again, the Kings are back in the box. Justin Williams is serving a bench minor for too many men on the ice. Chicago will once again look to convert on the man advantage.
Second Period 2:56 : The Kings are back to full strength.
Second Period 4:56: Nick Leddy is hit with a high stick, and Justin Williams is sent to the box for two minutes as a result. Another Hawks powerplay, who is still searching for their first goal on the man advantage.
Second Period 5:29: Final TV timeout. Los Angeles seemed to have gained some energy from their stellar penalty kill, resulting in Toffoli's goal. If they can keep this control, they can go to the room after forty with smiles.
Second Period 5:41: Kings goal! Off a partial breakaway, Tyler Toffoli sneaks the puck just under Crawford's leg pad, making it a 3-2 Kings lead.
Second Period 6:06: The Kings kill off high-sticking minor, putting both teams at full strength.
Second Period 8:06: Second TV timeout. Tanner Pearson is heading to the box, setting the stage for another Chicago powerplay. This is a great chance for the Hawks to regain momentum. On the other hand, a strong Kings penalty kill will ignite this Staples Center crowd, seemingly working in the Kings benefit.
Second Period 9:49: First TV timeout. Los Angeles is having a much stronger second period. The line of Carter-Pearson-Toffoli is again looking strong for the Kings. The Carter goal was the result of a strong shift from Pearson. The Kings are looking great in the Hawks end here, and they need to continue if they hope to tie. Chicago needs to answer quick if they hope to regain momentum.
Second Period 11:52: Kings goal! Jeff Carter strikes again! After the young Tanner Pearson battles hard below the Hawks net, he finds Carter alone out front. Carter shoots it past Crawford to make it a 2-2 game.
Second Period 15:25: Carter sends the puck from the corner to the traffic occupying the front of Crawford's crease, but the Kings fail to tie the game. Their offense is gaining momentum here though.
Second Period 16:27: Patrick Kane hops off the Chicago bench, speeds down the slot and fires one on Quick, but Quick is up to the test and makes the stop.
Second Period 19:30: Toews is already generating some time on the Kings zone early on in the middle frame. He, combined with Bickell and Hossa, is the best line for the Blackhawks thus far.
First Intermission: Shots were even 10-10 in the first period, but Chicago lead in hits by a 17-10 count. The Blackhawks had the edge on the draws as well, winning 12 of the 22 faceoffs.
First Intermission: From a Kings Perspective: Los Angeles played an alright first frame, considering they are down 2-1. Time is on their side, as they have forty minutes to pitch a comeback, and they've proved before they can do more in less time. They have to be happy scoring on the powerplay, as it seems to be heating up of late. If they can find a way to contain Toews and his line, they should be in good shape.
First Intermission: From a Blackhawks Perspective: The Hawks Captain set the tone early for his team early on in Game 3. After beating Quick low on a shorthanded breakaway, Toews battled in front of the net to bury another one to give his team a 2-1 lead. His team has answered, as they played a solid first period on the road.
First Intermission: It's anyone's game after a wide-open first period. Both teams were able to get their chances, but Blackhawks got the better of the opportunities as we go to the first intermission with a 2-1 Chicago lead.
First Period 3:00: Both teams are getting a lot of shots on net. Crawford and Quick are both making key saves to keep the score at 2-1 Hawks.
First Period 5:10: Final TV timeout. After Toews' second goal, Chicago controlled the play in the Kings zone. Quick made some big saves on Toews and Marian Hossa to keep the score only at 2-1.
First Period 6:41: Blackhawks goal! After a cluster of chances in front of Quick, Toews finds the puck on his stick and scores. 2-1 Blackhawks.
First Period 8:09: Second TV timeout. Los Angeles was able to kill of the delay of game call, but not without some great chances by Patrick Kane, Toews, and company. Quick has been strong so far, considering the goal allowed.
First Period 9:00: Jeff Carter with a fantastic shorthanded chance, but Crawford makes the save.
First Period 10:09: Los Angeles is heading to the box after Alec Martinez sends the puck over the glass from his zone. Delay of game is called, sending Chicago to their first powerplay.
First Period 10:52: First TV timeout. Some great action so far in this first period. Both teams are flying, generating scoring chances. The special teams are the story so far, as Chicago has a shorthanded goal and Los Angeles has one on the powerplay.
First Period 13:44: Kings Powerplay goal! Slava Voynov responds quickly for Los Angeles, blasting a shot by Crawford to make it a 1-1 game.
First Period 14:34: Blackhawks Shorthanded goal! Justin Williams turns the puck over in the neutral zone, allowing Toews to go in alone on Quick.. The Hawks captain buries it to make it a 1-0 Hawks lead.
First Period 15:20: Michal Handzus is called for delay of game, giving Los Angeles their first powerplay of the game.
First Period 16:00: Jonathan Toews and his line are the first to establish a solid shift in the Kings zone, generating Chicago's first shots of the game.
First Period 17:25: Drew Doughty with a shot just above the right faceoff circle, but Crawford makes the save. We have a fast paced first period thus far.
First Period 19:15: Kopitar and his first line is already generating opportunities on Crawford, making the Hawks goalie look a bit uneasy early on.
First Period 19:59: Jonathan Toews wins the opening faceoff against Anze Kopitar and we are under way.
8:20 EST: The teams are ready for the opening faceoff.
8:05 EST: Slash of the famed Guns N' Roses will be performing the national anthem tonight at the Staples Center. Only in Los Angeles.
7:45 EST: It appears as though Peter Regan has been removed from the Blackhawks lineup, freeing up a spot for Andrew Shaw.
A win tonight would be crucial for either team in this Western Conference Final, and both the Blackhawks and the Kings will be fighting hard for the edge in the series. Anze Kopitar- who has recorded at least a point in all but two games this postseason- along with goaltender Jonathan Quick, lead the Kings tonight on home ice as they host Marian Hossa, Corey Crawford and the Blackhawks. This one is shaping up to be a spectacular Game 3. Stay with Vavel USA as we bring you the latest score and analysis of this game, which is scheduled to begin shortly after 5:00 PM Pacific.
Andrew Shaw will be back in the Lineup tonight for Chicago. The Hawks forward has missed the last seven playoff games since leaving Game 1 of the Minnesota series after a hit from Wild defenseman Clayton Stoner. The addition to Shaw should add some speed and grit to the Chicago lineup. Look for Shaw to be trying to mix it up with Los Angeles in attempts to bait them in to a trip to the sin bin. Shaw's a great skater with some offensive upside, but is at his best when agitating. As of now, it is unclear who will be scratched from the Hawks lineup to allow Shaw to dress. Los Angeles rearguard Robyn Regehr is still recovering from a knee injury, as does not look to be available for the Kings tonight. As a result, expect Coach Darryl Sutter to field the same lineup as he did in Game 2.
Los Angeles can almost feel as though they played two different games Wednesday night, based on their radically different performances in the first thirty eight minutes of that game compared to the final twenty two. The Kings found themselves in a 0-2 after a sluggish start to begin the first two periods, but the tides started to turn after Jonathan Quick made a beautiful save on a Hawks 2 on 1 opportunity. Shortly after, Justin Williams was rewarded for going hard to the Hawks net with the Kings first goal of Game 2. The Kings never looked back after the clutch veteran's goal, going on to score five goals in the third period. Los Angeles set a franchise record for most goals in a single playoff period. One reason for the offensive outbreak was their execution on the powerplay. The Kings went 2 for 4 on the man advantages Wednesday night. Jeff Carter tipped in a Drew Doughty point shot- his first of three in the period- minutes before Jake Muzzin sniped Crawford shortside. Muzzin's powerplay goal held up to be the game winner as Los Angeles jumped all over the Hawks in the third period. Carter led the way offensively with four points (3G,1A), while his young linemates contributed as well, further establishing this postseason as their coming-out party. Tanner Pearson had two assists and Tyler Toffoli chipped in with a goal to give that line seven combined points in Game 2. This second line for the Kings has been impressive as of late, and will only need to get better as they prepare to take on a Hawks team who is unhappy with the way everything went down in the windy city Wednesday night.
The Blackhawks fly west for Game 3 after outplaying their opposition for well over half of Game 2, only to lose and surrender the series lead. Coach Joel Quennville's squad played a flawless thirty five minutes of hockey Wednesday evening, but that all started to unravel, resulting in a third period collapse that is truly out of character for Chicago. Goaltender Corey Crawford allowed five goals in the final twenty two minutes, finishing his night with a less than spectacular .833 save percentage. The Blackhawks will need a much better performance from their netminder if they are hoping to get back to their winning ways. It will be interesting to see how Crawford responds this evening. The five goals he allowed, along with his save percentage, combined to be Crawford's worst game statistically this postseason. Will Crawford repeat such a miserable outing, or will he come back tonight with a stellar performance capable of backstopping a Hawks win? Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews was held pointless in Game 2 in an unnoticeable performance. He is another leader that Chicago will look to for a better game in hopes of a victorious outcome. Expect the Manitoba native to have a strong Game 3.
Hello everybody, and welcome to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California where the last two Stanley Cup winners will faceoff for a crucial Game 3 matchup. This is the first game of the series at home for the Kings after the first two games were hosted by the Hawks. Chicago continued their dominance on home ice this spring in Game 1, winning 3-1. Their unblemished playoff record at the United Center came to an end in Game 2 though, after Los Angeles defeated Chicago 6-2. A five goal third period propelled the Kings to the Game 2 victory, largely in part to two powerplay goals early in the final frame. The lopsided Kings win essentially transformed the series in to a best of five series. It's now a race to three more wins. Who will gain the edge with a Game 3 victory tonight? Stay with Vavel USA throughout this pivotal Game 3.