Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save on San Jose Sharks left wing TJ Galiardi (21) in the 2nd period during Game 5 of their NHL Western Conference semifinals playoff in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. (Reuters)
Reuters/Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Kings regained control of their Western Conference semi-final against the San Jose Sharks with a convincing 3-0 Game Five victory on Thursday to move one win away from claiming a series triumph.
The defending Stanley Cup champions maintained the series theme of home-ice domination to seize a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven set before the teams return to San Jose for Game Six on Sunday.
After a goalless first period, Anze Kopitar opened the scoring for the Kings in the final few minutes of the second as he pounced on the rebound of a Kyle Clifford long-range shot to notch his second tally of the playoffs, first in this series. Stirred by a fanatical home support, the Kings refused to relinquish the advantage and doubled their lead early in the third when Slava Voynov connected from distance just 53 seconds into the final period.
Jeff Carter capped a comprehensive performance for the hosts when he steered the puck into an empty net to complete the scoring. “I think a good start (was the key to the win),” Kopitar told reporters.
“We can all agree that it was probably our best effort in the playoffs so far. We needed it and we came up big in this one.”
Red Wings push Blackhawks to the brink with Game Four win
The Detroit Red Wings are on the verge of causing another postseason upset after their 2-0 victory over the top seeded Chicago Blackhawks in Game Four on Thursday put them one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Seventh-seeded Detroit, who eliminated No. 2 seeds Anaheim in the first round, can seal the Western semi-final series with a win over the Blackhawks in Game Five on Saturday in Chicago. After a scoreless first period, Detroit got on the board when Jakub Kindl scored on a power play midway through the second before Daniel Cleary sealed the win with an empty net goal in the final seconds.
Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard made 28 saves for his second-career playoff shutout. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews’ struggles continued and he took three consecutive penalties in the second period. The Red Wings scored on the second of those power play opportunities. Toews has not scored a goal in the playoffs this season. Chicago, who won the President’s Trophy for scoring the most points in the regular season, won the opening game against Detroit but have now lost three straight.
Avalanche name Roy as head coach
Hall of Fame goalie and four-times Stanley Cup champion Patrick Roy has been named head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, the National Hockey League (NHL) team said on Thursday.
Roy, who won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and two with Colorado before retiring in 2003 after a 19-year career, reached an agreement in principal to become the sixth head coach in Avalanche history.
“This is an unbelievable day for me,” Roy, 47, said in a statement released by the Avalanche. “It’s a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to.”