LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings took their time getting into the swing of game three Thursday night. But when they did it was lights out for the Phoenix Coyotes. Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar and the rest of the Kings lineup put on a display of team work rarely seen.
The Los Angeles forecheck was superb in containing the Coyotes from the midway point of the second period through to the final horn. In the final two minutes of the game, the Kings forecheck completely handcuffed Phoenix in their zone and prevented any thought of an offensive attack to get the tying the goal in the waning minutes and seconds.
Asked about how it works so well LA head coach Darryl Sutter said, “I think it takes all five guys to make it work. We weren’t that good at it early in the game and they were. We didn’t get a chance to forecheck early. Tough with the goalie, he moves it so good.”
After a scoreless opening period Daymond Langkow got the Coyotes on the board at 1:03. For Langkow, it was his first of the post season and represented one of the few bright spots in this series so far.
Problem for Phoenix was their inability to contain Kopitar who picked up his 5th of the playoffs off a nifty breakaway from a stretch pass from Dustin Brown. Kopitar moved deep into the slot and faking to the forehand before putting a backhand shot past Mike Smith in the Coyotes net.
Kopitar said the whole play started with a scrum in the defensive zone.
“Well, we had a little scrum in our zone. Me and Justin (WWilliams) were able to dig the puck out. He passed it over to Brown,” Kopitar described. “At that point I was side-by-side with our player. I knew if I could get a step on him, there was a good chance I was going to get a breakaway. Brown got a good pass. The rest is just going in. I think instincts just take over, and fortunately for me it worked out.”
The Phoenix lead lasted all of 2:07.
The eventual game-winner came in the third period when Dwight King took the puck from the far corner , up along the boards to the high slot before writing a shot that beat Smith.
King’s play was remarkable for the fact that not one Coyotes player touched him after he took the puck in the corner. His shot was uncontested in the slot and Smith was left hanging.
The Coyotes find themselves in a 3-0 series hole, one that the Kings do not seem likely to give up. Which means the Stanley Cup Finals will be left coast versus right coast with either the Rangers of r Devils facing the Kings.
Game four of the Western Conference Finals is set for Sunday at the Staples Center.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.