LOS ANGELES, Calif. –Los Angeles swept the St. Louis Blues in the Western Division Semifinals, when they won the midday game four match 3-1. Before a lively crowd at the Staples Center, the eighth seeded Kings knocked the Blues out of contention.
The scoring opened early in the first period for the Kings. A turnover allowed Jordan Nolan to drive to the net and score a goal at 4:36. Dustin Penner was credited with an assist on the play.
The Kings were playing nearly flawless hockey, but things began to fall apart only for a few minutes as they made a line change at 11:34, allowing Kevin Shattenkirk to blast a slap shot past Jonathan Quick, to tie the game at one-apiece. The goal was Shattenkirks first post-season point, and the first of any of the Blue’s defensemen as well.
Los Angeles regained the lead late in the period, when Dustin Brown took a wrist shot from the circle, as he used Alex Pietrangelo as a screen. Brian Elliot didn’t get a chance to react as the puck went past him at 18:17.
The second period remained scoreless, as Quick stopped everything that the Blues could muster. The Kings capped their 2-1 lead, with an empty net goal at 19:34 of the third period, and finished the game with a final score of 3-1.
Quick had 23 saves for the win, while Elliot posted 16.
The Kings became the third eighth seeded team to reach the conference finals.
The Kings will face the winner of the Nashville – Phoenix game; the Coyotes lead the series currently 3-1.
Contact Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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