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This Fantastic Goal Helped Put The Kings One Win Away From The Stanley Cup

While Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals both went into overtime, Game 3 was not as close. The Kings opened the scoring in the second period, and never looked back. After a controversial Alec Martinez goal gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead, Anze Kopitar scored this absolute beauty on a nifty, tic-tac-toe passing play. There was no doubt about that goal, or the next two, as the Kings opened up a 4-0 lead and a 3-0 series lead over New Jersey.

Not too much to say about this game. Los Angeles was absolutely dominant. Jonathan Quick was a perfect 22-22 in net, and had some brilliant saves on a 5-on-3 Devils power play early in the game. Quick kept it knotted at zero scoreless, and kept the Staples Center crowd in it. The Devils failed to convert on six power play opportunities, while the Kings cashed in on both of their chances. The Kings became the first team in the history of the NHL to start each series in the postseason up 3-0. With a win in Game 4, Los Angeles would tie the 1988 Oilers for the best record in a single postseason at 16-2.

What impresses me the most about this Kopitar goal is his sticktoitiveness. Kopitar makes the initial pass to Dustin Brown in the breakout, and follows the play. He gets checked by Parise, but keeps his legs moving, and ends up in front of him. Not a bad play by the Devils’ captain, just simply a better play by Mr. Kopitar.

Game 4 is Wednesday at 8 in Los Angeles. If you haven’t tuned into this series yet, I recommend you do, because this is probably going to be its last game, as the Kings look to sweep.

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