Postgame: The Kings rallied hard to try to tie the game, but Gibson came up with some key saves for the Ducks down the stretch. One could say that the Kings offensive game came alive a little too late in this one, falling in to a deep hole early. The Ducks now fly in to Game 6 with a 3-2 lead in the series. The Kings are now facing another must-win situation. If any team has any comfort in a do-or-die situation this post-season, it's Los Angeles. They fought back from a 3-0 San Jose lead in the Quarterfinals, so Game 6 should not put the Kings in to a panic mode. Game 6 is Thursday at 6:30 Pacific. Be sure to tune in to Vavel USA for up to the minute commentary. Thank you folks, and have a good night.
Third Period 00:00: The Ducks have won 4-3, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Third Period 1:18: Quick has left the Kings net for an extra attacker.
Third Period 4:00: The Kings are pressing hard to tie this game. Only a matter of minutes until we find out who travels north on the I-5 with a 3-2 lead in this Western Conference Semifinal.
Third Period 5:48: Final TV timeout. The Kings are now only down one, and with that goal, can hope to build some momentum for the final 5-plus minutes of this period.
Third Period 5:28: Kings goal! Gaborik tips a Brown shot past John Gibson to make it 4-3 Ducks.
Third Period 6:09: Ducks call their timeout after being called for icing. Look for the Kings to play like a desperate hockey team from here on out. They do not want to head back to the Staples Center down 3-2 in the series.
Third Period 8:45: Second TV timeout. Time is wasting for the Kings and any comeback hopes they have. the Ducks are not sitting back and waiting for any Kings attack. Anaheim is rushing Quick, looking for another goal to cushion this lead.
Third Period 10:26: Smith Pelly and Tyler Toffoli are both heading to the box for roughing minors. 4 on 4 hockey.
Third Period 13:16: Smith-Pelly received an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty to make it a 4 on 4 opportunity.
Third Period 13:16: First TV timeout.Anze Kopitar hauls down Smith-Pelly-who has been all over the ice for the Ducks- and gets called for hooking. Another powerplay for the Ducks.
Third Period 14:47: Icing called in Los Angeles. The Kings have not had many chances so far in the third, which is bad news for them. Still 4-2 Ducks.
Third Period 17:36: The Kings already look like a desperate team this period. They have the clock against them in this attempt at another comeback.
Third Period 19:10: The Ducks are back to full strength.
Third Period 19:44: John Gibson is tested early, but he keeps the score at 4-2 Ducks.
Vavel USA's coverage of the third period between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings
Second Intermission: The Kings outshot the Ducks in the second 14-10. Anaheim outhit Los Angeles 13-12.
Second Intermission: From a Kings Perspective- The start of their second period was dreadful at best. An early penalty by Williams resulted in a powerplay strike for the Ducks, which opened the floodgates for the first half of the second. Los Angeles was able to score a powerplay goal late in the period, and they can hope to build some momentum off that tally if they hope to engineer a comeback in the final twenty minutes of regulation.
Second Intermission: From a Ducks Perspective- Two goals in a span of 1:36 really put the Ducks in the driver's seat for the middle frame. They capitalized on a powerplay and a turnover, two bad habits the Kings have on display tonight. If they can keep the chances for Los Angeles to a minimum, the Ducks can ride this lead to a win after these final twenty.
Second Period 1:18: Kings powerplay goal! Gaborik bangs one bast Gibson in front, making it 4-2 Ducks. Due to the double-minor, the Kings are still a man-up for two minutes.
Second Period 2:03: Smith-Pelly gets Doughty with a high stick, cutting the Kings defenseman in the mouth, being called for the double-minor. Four minute powerplay for the Kings.
Second Period 2:11: Corey Perry of the Ducks has a solid chance on Jonathan Quick- from his knees. Quick makes the save. 4-1 Ducks.
Second Period 4:36: Third TV timeout. The Ducks had some chances on the last powerplay, but Quick is doing all he can to keep the deficit at three.
Second Period 4:40: The Kings kill off the Doughty call. they're really playing with fire by putting the Ducks on the powerplay as much as they have so far in Game 5.
Second Period 6:40: Drew Doughty sits for two minutes after caught cross-checking. The Ducks are on the powerplay.
Second Period 8:00: So far, the second period has been all Ducks. The three goals early in this period has propelled them to control of this middle frame. The Kings need a spark to re-ignite their play.
Second Period 9:06: Dustin Brown has three to four quality chances on this powerplay, but John Gibson makes some amazing saves to maintain the three goal lead.
Los Angeles Kings- Anaheim Ducks Game 5 coverage by Vavel USA
Second Period 11:06: Nick Bonino is called for holding. Kings first powerplay of the game.
Second Period 11:37: Ducks goal! Jakob Silfverberg buries a loose puck behind Quick at the top of the goal crease. 4-1 Ducks.
Second Period 13:00: The ref is letting the teams play, as he as seemed to put his whistle in his pocket for a bit. Great physical battles deep in the Anaheim zone.
Second Period 13:51: First TV timeout. The Ducks score twice in a span of 1:23 to make it a 3-1 lead. Penalties and turnovers are coming back to haunt the Kings, and the Ducks now find themselves with a two goal lead. Luckily for Los Angeles, it is still early on.
Second Period 17:26: Ducks goal! Smith-Pelly takes advantage of a Kings turnover to make it 3-1 Ducks.
Second Period 18:49: Ducks powerplay goal! Selanne takes the puck off the end boards behind Quick and finds Mathieu Perreault, who finds the back of the net. 2-1 Ducks.
Second Period 19:58: Justin Williams is heading to the box for hooking. The second powerplay opportunity for Anaheim.
Second Period 19:29: Ryan Getzlaf has the chance of the period from the left faceoff circle, but Quick gloves down the shot.
First Intermission: Shots were 14-8 in favor of Los Angeles in the opening period. The Kings also lead in hits with a 14-9 advantage.
First Intermission: From a Ducks Perspective- The John Gibson show continues on through the opening period. Trevor Lewis found a way to beat him high to the glove, but beyond that goal, Gibson has looked stellar for the Ducks. Their team quickness is a factor they will want to utilize in the next few periods. That quickness was on display in their first period goal, as Jake Muzzin of the Kings lost an edge in the corner, resulting in a loose puck that Daniel Winnik pounced on to feed a wide open Boinino.
First Intermission: From a Kings Perspective- Quick has to come up with a big glove save at the buzzer to secure a 1-1 heading in to the rooms for the first intermission. The final minutes found the Kings generating more chances from their dominating physical game down low in the Ducks zone. The Kings had an extra jump in their step through the first twenty. Definitely a better first period from the Kings in comparison to that of Game 4. Los Angeles can't seem to stay out of the box as they once again played a period with at least one infraction. Luckily they were able to kill off the dangerous Ducks powerplay, but they would be wise not to push their luck with that powerplay unit.
NHL Western Conference Semifinals: Game 5 Live commentary
First Period 1:42: The Kings kill off the Martinez minor, going back to full strength. 1-1 tie game.
First Period 3:42: After a rebound opportunity for Teemu Selanne-which Quick stops- Alec Martinez is called for holding. Ducks on their first powerplay.
First Period 4:00: Sloppy play for a few minutes, as both teams are turning the puck over in the neutral zone.
First Period 5:53: Third TV timeout. The chances are evening out at this point, as it's still anyone's game. The respective netminders are facing a barrage of chances, but are keeping this game tied at one.
Up to the minute coverage of Game 5 between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks
First Period 6:55: The Ducks are now applying the pressure to Quick, as Corey Perry and Andrew Cogliano both had big opportunities on the Kings goaltender.
First Period 8:07: The line of Tanner Pearson, Jeff Carter, and Tyler Toffoli for the Kings is clicking early on, spending the majority of their shifts deep in the Anaheim zone. Their cycle and forecheck is leading to some quality chances, but Gibson is answering the call. 1-1 game.
First Period 9:14: The Ducks have iced the puck for the second time already in this opening period. Los Angeles is a strong team in the faceoff circle. Look for the Kings to try to capitalize on these faceoffs low in the Anaheim zone.
First Period 9:56: Second TV timeout. The Kings have built some momentum off the Lewis goal. They also proved that John Gibson can be beat. After being shutout by him in Game 4, it must be a relief for the Kings to finally get one past the rookie phenom.
First Period 10:48: Trevor Lewis jumps on a loose puck in the neutral zone and ties the game at one, beating Gibson on the glove side.
First Period 11:51: First TV timeout. This opening period has taken a very fast pace thus far, as both teams are exchanging chances. Both teams are playing a very physical game, especially down low in an attempt to establish the forecheck.
First Period 14:20: Corey Perry of the Ducks has a chance to make it a two goal lead, but Jonathan Quick makes a phenomenal toe save.
First Period 15:56: John Gibson absolutely steals a goal from Kings forward Tyler Toffoli with the glove, his first big test of the evening.
First Period 17:45: Ducks goal! After Jake Muzzin turns the puck over low in his own zone, Nick Bonino blasts one by Quick. 1-0 Ducks.
First Period 18:04: Teemu Selanne has the first chance of the hockey game, but he is robbed by Jonathan Quick.
First Period 19:30: Kings Coach Darryl Sutter has taken Kyle Clifford out of the lineup, replacing him with Jordan Nolan.
First Period 19:59: Anze Kopitar wins the opening faceoff for Los Angeles and we are under way!
First Period 20:00: We are minutes away from the opening faceoff at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Pregame: The Ducks may be adding Mathieu Perrault to their lineup for Game 5, after the center missed Game 4 with a lower-body injury. Rickard Rakell is likely to be scratched from the lineup to make room for Perrault. Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell do not look to be available for the Kings tonight, as both are still seemingly nursing undisclosed injuries. Stephane Robidas, Frederik Andersen, and Matt Beleskey are out again for the Ducks with injuries.
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2014: Live Inline Commentary of Anaheim vs. Los Angeles
Pregame: This series is starting to question the term ‘home ice advantage’, as the road team has won the first four games. Will Anaheim break this pattern, or will the Kings head back to the Staples Center with a 3-2 series lead?
Pregame: Game 4 was the first playoff game this season for Los Angeles in which Anze Kopitar did not find the score sheet. Kopitar and Marian Gaborik have lead the Kings offense thus far in the postseason, and if Los Angeles is looking for more wins, they will need more production from these two.
Pregame: The Ducks found success with the combination of Corey Perry, Captain Ryan Getzlaf, and Devante Smith-Pelly. This newly-arranged line for the Ducks was responsible for both first period goals, including Getzlaf’s powerplay mark. The trio combined for two goals and three assists in Game 4. Look for them to be effective for Anaheim tonight, especially considering Bodreau will have the final say in who they match up against tonight with the home team getting the last line change.
Ducks vs. Kings, LIVE Commentary of Western Conference Semifinals of NHL Playoffs
Pregame: Expect to see Gibson in net tonight for the Ducks, squaring off against Jonathan Quick of the Kings. Quick was pulled after the first period of Game 4 after allowing two goals on eleven shots. Martin Jones relieved Quick of his duties in net for the night, stopping all three shots that came his way. Anaheim was without a shot for twenty five minutes in Game 4; after the first period, the Ducks did not record another shot until past the 15:00 mark of the third period.
Pregame: The big story of Game 4 was Anaheim Ducks Coach Bruce Bodreau’s decision to start 20-year old rookie netminder John Gibson. Many questioned Bodreau’s pick in net, but those questions quickly faded away as Gibson shut out the Kings, turning aside twenty-eight saves in his NHL playoff debut. Gibson is the youngest goalie (20 years, 330 days) in NHL history to record a shutout in his playoff debut. If that isn’t impressive enough, Gibson became just the second goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in both his regular season debut and playoff debut. The first goaltender to achieve this rare feat was Tiny Thompson in the 1928-29 season while backstopping the Boston Bruins.
Pregame: Good evening folks, and welcome to Vavel USA’s LIVE commentary of Game 5 between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 Pacific. Stay with Vavel as we provide you with up to the minute updates on what is promising to be an exciting matchup between the two So-Cal rivals.