Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik is defended by Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews with goalie Corey Crawford looking on during the first period of game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on Wednesday.
Jeff Carter scored three third period goals as the Los Angeles Kings rallied to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 in game two of their NHL semi-final playoff series on Wednesday.
Carter scored three of five third period goals for the Kings, who trailed 2-0 halfway through the game before storming back to level the best-of-seven Western Conference series at one game each. Carter finished with four points, including an empty net goal.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick made 23 stops as Los Angeles posted their first road playoff win in Chicago in their last eight attempts.
“This is a huge game for our approach, our psyche,” said Kings forward Dustin Brown. “Kind of like slaying the mythical dragon.”
The winner of the Kings-Hawks series will face the Montreal Canadiens or the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals. New York leads the other semi-final 2-0.
Los Angeles equalled a playoff club record Wednesday by scoring five goals in the final period.
Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford allowed four goals on 11 shots in the third period before he was yanked. Crawford finished with 25 saves.
Reigning Stanley Cup champions Chicago suffered their first home loss in these playoffs Wednesday in front of a crowd of 22,019 at the United Center arena.
“It was a disaster,” said Chicago coach Joel Quenneville.
The Blackhawks have plenty of time to regroup before the series switches to Los Angeles’ Staples Center arena for game three.