VANCOUVER, BC – At the fourteen minute mark of the first period, it was all good for the Canucks. Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin had just converted a lazy Kings clearing attempt into a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Canucks that was as lazy as Los Angeles would be all night.
Henrik Sedin’s goal held up through the remainder of the first and entire second period as neither team was able to gain much of an edge. Jonathan Quick was solid again in net and robbed Vancouver of quality scoring chances. Cory Schneider was even better in making 35 saves on the night.
Quick’s exploits in net through the second and into the early third gave the Kings an opportunity to rush the puck up ice before Brad Richardson tied the game at 1. The Kings had rushed the net with all three forwards in or near the crease. The initial shot was stopped by Schneider but the Kings continued to whack at the puck before Richardson banged the puck home before Schneider could control it.
Schneider’s best save of the contest came in the closing seconds of the second period when Anze Kopitar broke in as the clock wound down.
Quick’s best save came in the third when Daniel Sedin had a breakaway that would have given the Canucks the lead.
In the over time, the Canucks were in control of the puck and looking to break out for a rush up ice. But the Kings’ Trevor Lewis hounded the Canucks Dan Hamhuis who lost the puck to Jarret Stoll. Stoll raced in along the near boards cut to the net and let loose a slap shot from inside the right circle that beat Schneider.
The Kings now move on to the second round.
The Canucks are left with questions that are best left for the off season. But those questions start in goal and move right out to the forward lines.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
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