The LA Kings continue to surprise, having taken care of the Vancouver Canucks in quick order in the first round, they have thus far provided much the same to the St. Louis Blues, putting St. Louis in what is for all intents and purposes a must win situation for game three tonight.
With the Blues announcing that Jaroslave Halak is out for the rest of round two, the series it seems is going to be Brian Elliot's to win or lose. Not that he's done anything to spur on the latter, in most cases Elliot has been what has kept the Blues in the games thus far though game number 2 in this series perhaps offered up a worrisome trend of early and frequent Kings scoring.
For the Blues scoring and defensive chores the problem areas of late for coach Ken Hitchcock, something we're sure he'll find a way to address before the series is over and someone has moved on.
Word out of Los Angeles is that the Blues Alex Pietrangelo will be back in the line up for Game 3, a timely return which if Pietrangelo is healthy will help shore up the Blues defensive end which has been under attack through games one and two so far, at least providing an extra hand on deck in support of the Blues goaltender.
That being said, the Blues still need to find a way to put pucks behind the Kings' Johanthan Quick, who has been in Conn Smythe kind of form thus far in the first two rounds for the Kings, while LA has clearly been finding ways to out hustle and outscore their opponents, the fact is and remains that Quick is the key to the Kings success thus, if in doubt ask the Vancouver Canucks for some testimonials in the affirmative.
Game Three-- St. Louis 2 at Los Angeles 4
Los Angeles leads the series 3 games to 0
Previews and Reviews
POST GAME
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Blues wind up in a deep hole
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Shattenkirk finds effort is different in postseason
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Blues' Elliot has lost his magical touch
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Coach: Losing Pietrangelo was turning point
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Kings transformation too much for Blues
Los Angeles Times-- Kings' Game 3 victory over Blues rewards fans
Los Angeles Times-- Kings one win from conference finals
Los Angeles Times-- After down season, things are looking up for Kings' Dustin Penner
Los Angeles Daily News-- Brown's hit benches Blues' confidence
Los Angeles Daily News-- Penner discovers scoring touch
Los Angeles Daily News-- Offense continues its resurgence while taking 3-0 series lead
Globe and Mail-- Kings beat Blues to grab stranglehold on series
National Post-- Kings win to put Blues on the ropes
National Post-- Why the Kings are worth watching
PRE GAME
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Pietrangelo will return for Game 3 tonight
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Elliot is the key for Blues
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Blues hope road is the answer to their problems
St. Louis Post Dispatch-- Blues need to make a stand
Los Angeles Times-- After down season, things are looking up for Kings' Dustin Penner
Los Angeles Times-- Kings try to maintain road karma at home
Los Angeles Times-- Short-handed goals have been huge for Kings
Los Angeles Times-- Kings defenseman Drew Doughty takes his game to a higher level
Los Angeles Daily News-- With 2-0 series lead, Kings expecting fast start by Blues
Los Angeles Daily News-- Taking leads has not been easy
Globe and Mail-- Kings becoming the team that GM envisioned
Globe and Mail-- Kings roll home with commanding lead over Blues
National Post-- Kings' Dustin Penner goes to the mat
Previous items on this series
Game Two
Game One
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