What was a tight-checking, hard hitting series through 3 games opened up just slightly, and the more skilled Los Angeles forwards took advantage to bring the Kings even with the Blues at 2 games apiece. They had to come from behind twice to do it, but in the end they head back to St. Louis all even and make it a best of 3.
May 6 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams (second from right) celebrates with teammates Drew Doughty (8), Mike Richards (10) and Dwight King (74) after scoring a goal in the third period as St. Louis Blues left wing David Perron (57) reacts in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Blues 4-3 to tie the series 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It didn’t look that way early on, as David Backes and T.J. Oshie had St. Louis up 2-0 before the game was 5 minutes old, and given the way the series had gone, a 2 goal lead might as well be 7. This time was a little different though, and before the period was out, Jeff Carter and Dustin Penner had drawn the Kings even.
Oshie’s second of the game put the Blues back up by a goal with the only marker of the second period, with Brian Elliott making 13 saves in the frame to keep the Kings at bay.
Elliott wouldn’t have the same success in the third, however, as Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams struck 1:16 apart to give the Kings a lead for the first time in the game. They would hang on to win the game by that 4-3 score and serve notice that the defending champs are serious about repeating.
SENSHOT’S 3 STARS
3. TJ Oshie
Game 5 goes on Wednesday at 9:00 PM eastern (8:00 local)