On Sunday, the first round of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs came to Southern California. The Los Angeles Kings hosted the Vancouver Canucks in the third game of their best-of-seven series. At the end of the night, the Kings managed a 1-0 win. They now lead Vancouver three games to none and have a chance at winning the series and advancing on their home ice.
There was no score throughout the first two periods. The Canucks relentlessly attacked the net, but were unable to get any shots past Jonathan Quick, holding things down admirably in the Los Angeles net.
In the second period, tempers began to flare. Hard hits were doled out and a fight broke out within the first three minutes of the period. Vancouver continued to take shot after shot, but nothing found the mark.
At 6:30 of the third period, Dustin Brown finally got a shot past Cory Schneider, as he was in perfect position to receive a rebound from a puck bouncing off the leg pads of the Canucks goalie. The goal was Brown's fourth of the postseason. Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar got credit for assists on the play. You can see the thrilling and crucial goal below.
The Kings garnered a power play in the final two minutes of regulation and Vancouver went with the empty net to match up five-on-five. The Canucks attacked relentlessly throughout the final minute, but the Kings held on for the win to move just one victory away from advancing.
Quick was phenomenal, saving all 41 shots that came his way.
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.
