The Los Angeles Kings have evened up the Western Conference Finals. Two power play goals scored early in the third period helped the Kings come back from a two goal deficit. The Kings then went on to rally to a convincing 6-2 win.
The Blackhawks scored one goal in the first period to jump out to a lead. The Kings filled up the penalty box in the first period, with four penalties. The Blackhawks were only able to capitalize on one of the power plays. The Blackhawks lone goal was scored by Nick Leddy.
Chicago added to their one goal lead with an early second period goal, scored by Ben Smith. Smith fired a wrist shot past Jonathan Quick to put the Blackhawks up 2-0. It was not until late in the second period when the Kings got on the board. Justin Williams tipped in a shot from Mike Richards with just over a minute to go in the period.
The third period was like no other period in this series. The Kings exploded with five goals. The entourage started early in the period when Jeff Carter scored on the power play. Just two and a half minutes later the Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin scored another power play goal. This put the Kings up by one, and from there on it was all Kings. The Kings, Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter added to the lead with even strength goals. Jeff Carter completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with just over three minutes to play. This goal put the Kings up 6-2, which was the final score.
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Jeff Carter was the Kings hero of the night with his second career post season hat trick. He told NBCSN’s Brain Engblom, “To get those two power play early in the third and to capitalize on them was big for us,” “You start to feel good about yourself. You start to feel a little better and things started rolling for us.”
With the series tied, the setting moves on to Los Angeles for Game 3, Saturday night.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.