Los Angeles Kings Force Game 7 Against Ducks
May 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) celebrates with center Trevor Lewis (22) at the end of game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Ducks 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Muzzin and Trevor Lewis scored for the Los Angeles Kings as they staved off elimination for the 5th time in these playoffs by beating the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 to force a 7th and deciding game.
Kyle Palmieri replied for the Ducks to narrow the lead to 1 but Jonathan Quick held them at bay over the final 34 minutes to ensure that the Kings will have an opportunity to advance to the Conference finals against the Chicago Blackhawks for the second straight year by winning a 1 game showdown in Anaheim on Friday night.
Ducks rookie goalie John Gibson made his first major mistake of the playoffs on the winner from Lewis, a long wrist shot from just inside the blue line that trickled through his legs. Whether the Kings can hang onto that as a sign that he is not impenetrable and carry that over to game 7 remains to be seen.
It was a physical, defensive game between the two rivals, with a combined 45 shots on goal, with a difference of 1 shot and 1 goal.
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The Kings have won 4 straight elimination games after falling behind 3-0 to the Sharks in the first round. They seemed to have the second round in control up 2-0 (winning both on the road) before dropping 3 straight to put themselves against the wall again.
As was the case in almost every game in the second round, the first goal will be paramount to advancing.