WCGF Game 3 – Quick Stones Blues To Get Kings Back Into Series 2-1
Not this time. Jonathan Quick felt like he gave the Blues a 2-0 series lead, and while it wasn’t entirely his fault, he might have been right. His giveaway in overtime allowed Alex Steen to score the winner on an open net, while Barret Jackman‘s shot that won game 2 in the last minute was very stoppable and Quick knew it.
May 4, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) and St. Louis Blues left wing Andy McDonald (10) collide in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner wasn’t going to let that happen in game 3, and he didn’t. The Kings got only one goal, and Quick made it stand up as he made 30 saves to out-duel counterpart Brian Elliott in yet another low-scoring physical contest.
Slava Voynov was the only player to beat a goalie and find the back of the net, and that goal came off a scramble where there were 10 of the 12 bodies on the ice within a few feet of the crease. The puck squirted out to the lone skater that was not in that scramble, Voynov, whose wrist shot somehow found its way through just before the 5 minute mark of the second period.
Quick was the story, but he did have some help, most notably from Justin Williams who dove back to take the puck off the stick of Jordan Leopold who was staring at a gaping cage.
Elliott was stellar as well, making many key saves, most notably stopping Dwight King on a breakaway with about 7 minutes left after King left the penalty box and took the breakaway pass.
This series has been knock-down, drag out with great goaltending for the most part. There have been 7 total goals in 3 games plus 13 minutes of overtime. The Kings were credited with 53 hits on Saturday, compared with 39 for the Blues. In three games, there have been 247 total hits, making you wonder if whoever gets through this series will have anything left in the tank for the second round.
SENSHOT’S 3 STARS
3. Dustin Brown
Game 4 goes Monday night at 10:00 Eastern time, (7:00 local).
OTHER GAMES OF THE NIGHT
Capitals take 2-0 series lead over Rangers with 1-0 OT win