After coming a half a puck short of winning game 1 of their playoff series against Vancouver (despite not playing their best game), the Kings got even in game 2. Vancouver took a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the first period, a period in which, in truth, the Kings didn’t show up in until late.
From the puck drop in period 2 on, the Kings took control of the game. Increased offensive zone possession, good scoring chances and smart play finally led to the Kings’ breaking through Roberto Luongo, who looked much more confident tonight than he did Thursday. The Kings got their first goal from Fredrik Modin (what a pickup that’s proved to be) on the power play, after Luongo stopped Jack Johnson. Johnson got his own rebound and skated around the sprawled Canuck goalie, wisely dishing it to the front of the net where Modin would collect and bury the puck to cut the Vancouver lead in half.
35 seconds later, The Kings top line of Ryan Smyth, Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds, got a 3-on-1 rush. Kopitar fed the puck to Simmonds who buried it. 2-2, just like that. The Kings would carry much of the remainder of play, but I thought were a bit sloppy in the last 5 minutes of regulation. Vancouver was in the Kings’ zone for a good chunk of that time, and you got the feeling by watching that the Kings were hanging on by a thread. The Kings’ defense made plays (a magnificent play by Drew Doughty to break up a 2-on-1 for the Sedins) and Jon Quick held the fort, and the Kings managed to escape to OT.
In the OT, Quick made several critical saves, and the biggest blunder of the game was made by the Vancouver bench – a too many men on the ice penalty that would give the Kings the power play – and ultimately seal the Canucks’ fate tonight. On the man advantage, The Kings were able to establish possession and managed to keep the zone and control the puck despite the Canucks’ best efforts. Finally, Jack Johnson faked a shot and passed to Drew Doughty, who fed cross ice to Anze Kopitar. Kopitar’s one-timer was blocked by Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler, but Kopi collected his own rebound and beat Luongo. Game over, Kings win.
A testament to the Kings’ strong play: The Sedin twins were -2 and had 0 points on the night. Mikeal Samuelsson continues to be a King killer, as he had another goal tonight.
Not without mention is the strong play of Quick in the Kings’ net. After standing on his head and giving the Kings every chance to win game 1, Quick’s goal allowed to Samuelsson I’m sure left a lump in the throats of many Kings’ fans. Samuelsson’s shot came from the top of the circles, and it appeared to be deflected by the stick of Matt Greene. While I can tell you from personal experience as a goalie, that wasn’t a routine save by any means, it definitely doesn’t look good. In the end it didn’t matter. The important thing for Quick was how he responded to that goal. Instead of allowing it to rattle him, he tightened down the hatches and was perfect after that. The Kings needed him to be. Through the first 2 playoff games, Quick has a 2.21 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. Where are all the haters now? Quick has been stellar.
While I don’t necessarily agree with coach Terry Murray’s decision to sit Justin Williams, it’s amazing how much better the Kings look WITHOUT Randy Jones or Raitis Ivanans in the lineup, isn’t it?
Now, the Kings head back to Staples Center having taken home-ice advantage from the Canucks. The pressures of the first home playoff game for many of the Kings’ players could be a factor. Based on the Kings loose attitude thus far, I’d wager not. If the Kings play as well for the rest of the series as they did tonight, it’s going to be another disappointing spring in Vancouver.
GO KINGS!!!
-JS
Jeremy Smith