Through the first two games of their opening-round best-of-seven series in the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings have stunned the No. 1 seed Vancouver Canucks, taking a 2-0 lead and moving halfway to taking the series in a massive upset. The Kings will return home on Sunday and the atmosphere at Staples Center is certain to be red-hot.
The Kings have a very realistic chance of clinching this opening series in L.A., as they play the third and fourth games at home. But to do that, they'll have to prevail on Sunday night. The Canucks have looked bewildered through the first two games, as though they expected the Kings to roll over and play dead. As their frustration has mounted, their play has become more disjointed and they now find themselves in danger of being swept out of the playoffs in the first round.
Los Angeles would love nothing more than for the hated Canucks to suffer a loss on Sunday night. If Dustin Brown and Jonathan Quick can maintain their exceptional play and take advantage of Vancouver's increasing desperation, they have a very good chance at doing so.
The puck will drop for Sunday's Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. PT. You can watch the game nationally on NBCSN (formerly Vs.), or with the local commentary team on FOX Sports West. KTLK 1150 AM will carry the radio broadcast.
For more on the Los Angeles Kings, make sure you check out Jewels From The Crown. For the Canucks side of things, make sure you head over to Nucks Misconduct.
