NHL Playoffs: Los Angeles Kings Take Second Win In A Row From Anaheim

May 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save against Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Kings are blowing everyone’s mind right now. They just beat the “best” team in the Western Conference, twice, on their own ice. The Anaheim Ducks once again fell flat on their bills, losing to LA 3-1 at the Honda Center in Game 2 of the best of seven series. Here is how it went down…

The first period was rowdy and started with a bang for LA when Marian Gaborik went one-on-one with Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller 34 seconds into the game. The top line of Gaborik, Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown continue to click for the Kings, who led the charge down the ice. Brown had tapped the puck to Kopitar who maneuvered their the neutral zone to get a pass to Gaborik on the left wing.

No deke, no fake out, just the top of net to once again claim the all important first goal. Kings up 1-0. Gaborik leads the NHL in the playoffs in goals with six, while Kopitar has an NHL best 14 assists.

May 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) scores a goal past Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Just over eight minutes in, Matt Greene and Bryan Allen got two minutes each for roughing each other. Thirty-seven seconds later Drew Doughty got called for hooking. The following 4-on-3 finally produced some action for the Ducks on the power play as Patrick Maroon directed a puck toward the net and bounced in off of Jake Muzzin’s skate. It was another Muzz Kill, but fortunately it did not rattle LA.

At 12:07, the Kings started to ruin the Duck’s night when Alec Martinez, who needs to get a multi-year contract locked down as soon as possible, continued his offensive production when he sent a slap shot over Hiller’s left shoulder. Kings went up 2-1.

May 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) gives up a goal to Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (not pictured) during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

1^st Period Stats:

Shots: LA 8, Anaheim 10

Hits: LA 19, Anaheim 23

The second period did not see a lot of offense, but there was a lot of tempers flaring. After getting run into by Corey Perry, Jonathan Quick had retaliated by giving him a big glove to the gut. He got two minutes for roughing, served by Gaborik. There were four other penalties in the period with three committed by the Ducks and one more for the Kings.

2^nd Period Stats:

Shots: LA 5, Anaheim 12

Hits: LA 14, Anaheim 15

The third period was played with the same intensity and staunch defense as the second, but without any dumb penalties. Both had continued to go after the other team, but neither would break.

The action escalated as time was ticking down. Anaheim pulled their goalie with about two minutes left. What was lucky for LA in the last game, was just the opposite for Anaheim in this game. With one minute left in the game, Justin Williams orchestrated a push down the ice and dished off to Dwight King who had pressure on him. He pulled off to left wing to give himself just a little bit of space and pulled the trigger on the open net to put the Kings up 3-1.

May 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (74) celebrates with teammates after scoring an empty net goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim had one last chance with the man advantage, but got nothing from it.

3^rd Period Stats:

Shots: LA 4, Anaheim 15

Hits: LA 9, Anaheim 15

Brace yourselves, this could get epic.