A Day in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Chase for the Cup: Kings Sweep Blues; Broduer and Zubrus Stun Flyers
By Editorial Staff
The Night that Was:
The Los Angeles Kings entered yesterday with an opportunity to complete their second-straight shocker with a sweep against the second-seeded St. Louis Blues in the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Jordan Nolan gave the home side an early 1-0 lead when he scored his first-career playoff goal 4:35 into the game, but the Blues tied it up quickly when Kevin Shattenkirk unleashed one as he stepped over the blueline for his first career playoff goal. Captain Dustin Brown would ensure his Kings went to the break with the lead though, scoring his fifth with less than two to go in the first to give the Kings a 2-1 lead. After a scoreless second where Jonathan Quick had to be sharp (the Blues outshot the Kings 13-2), the action was end-to-end in the third. Neither goalie could be beat though, and Brown added the finishing touches to the sweep with his empty-netter and sixth of the playoffs for a 3-1 lead. It’s the first time the Kings have swept a best-of-seven series, and their first trip to the Conference Final since the days of Wayne Gretzky. Anze Kopitar added 2 assists to Brown’s 2 goals as Quick made 23 saves and moves to 7-1 in the playoffs.
Blues 1 vs Kings 3 – Kings win series 4-0
Philadelphia Flyers needed a win last night to avoid going down 3-1 in their series with the New Jersey Devils on Martin Brodeur’s 40th birthday. Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux spoiled the party 11:50 and 13:40 into the first respectively when they scored to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead, but the Devils wouldn’t go away. Petr Sykora scored on a power play and Marek Zidlicky re-directed one home late in the opening frame to tie the score at 2-2. New Jersey continued to pressure the Flyers offensively in the second, outshooting them 16-5, and it paid off as Dainius Zubrus finally beat Ilya Bryzgalov at 17:47 of the middle frame for a 3-2 lead. New Jersey wouldn’t look back from there, as they would get another from Dainius Zubrus (which Brodeur would assist on) at 19:15 of the third to seal a 4-2 Devils win. Zubrus, Zidlicky, and Sykora each finished with two points as Brodeur made 20 saves for playoff win number 106. There was a disciplinary issue from this game as Claude Giroux appeared to target the head of Dainius Zubrus late in the second, which the league will be investigating.
Flyers 2 vs Devils 4 – Devils lead series 3-1
What’s on Tonight?
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals resume their series on Broadway tonight with things tied at 2 and both looking for the upper-hand headed back to Washington. After that, the Phoenix Coyotes look to close out the Nashville Predators in Game 5, as the ‘Yotes have a 3-1 series lead.
The Injury Bug:
–Brandon Dubinsky has yet to play in the series against Washington, and that trend may continue as he remains listed as ‘doubtful’ with a lower-body injury.
–Lauri Korpikoski is listed as questionable for Game 5 between Nashville and Phoenix with a lower-body injury. Korpikoski has missed the last three games of the series.
News and Notes
-Claude Giroux will have a hearing with the NHL for his hit on Dainius Zubrus last night. He was handed a penalty for an illegal check to the head on the play.
-The Phoenix Coyotes will be without Rostislav Klesla for Game 5, as he was suspended one game for his hit on Nashville’s Matt Halischuk.
-The Montreal Canadiens have pegged Rick Dudley as their next Assistant General Manager, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to retain his services until after the draft. The Leafs (who pick fifth overall) would lose a lot of legwork done by Dudley on the Draft to the Canadiens (who pick third overall).
-If you’re wondering if Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn are returning to the Nasvhille lineup for Game 5, there’s a ‘high probability’ that they do.
Playoff 3-Stars
1. Dustin Brown 2 G, 1 GWG, +1
2. Petr Sykora, F: 1 G, 1 A, +1, 3 SOG
3. Martin Brodeur, G: 20/22, W, 1 A