Kings Sweep Hawks!

Blarg I hate facing the Hawks. I mean it was fun (and the most stressful playoff series of my life) in 2014 but even when neither team has anything to boast about, the rivalry still feels bitter. The Kings started Campbell and a top line of Clifford, Carter and Lewis, a switch up I was not at all unhappy with. And it started okay. Even, actually, though could have been better if the Brown net-front pass to Kopi didn’t result in Kopitar’s shot hitting the post. So close. But the Kings defense was questionable and worriedly so as the Hawks streaked out to a 3-6 shot differential. And even more worriedly when will the Kings figure out how to power play? For one, you aren’t supposed to spend the first half of it defending shorthanded chances. You’re supposed to spend it like the second half, confusing their defense with quick passes and taking ultimately dangerous shots. Burying one would have been nice but it just wasn’t that kind of game. They did end up doubling the Hawks shot total – 6-12 now, but with nothing to show for it, their penalty kill would be critical, as Clifford made his way to the box. It was more dangerous than I was comfortable with, but when a Hawk stick broke as the penalty expired and Carter picked it up, Clifford was eight out of the box to help create a few more dangerous Kings chances. The pendulum of momentum swung back and forth, back and forth as both teams scrambled to gain ground. Neither did, even as that last play drew another Hawks penalty.

1:38 into the second the Hawks took the first goal, one Campbell and probably every fan on the ice will want back. It tricked underneath his legs but not in until DeBrincat skated past oh 3? Kings players to snap it all the way as he skated behind the net. It seemed so casual defense had to be checking themselves. And of course they followed it up with a penalty kill (did the bench roll their eyes as hard as I did?) Things got feistier from there as after the whistle scuffles became more heated – I don’t know why you’d want to irritate MacDermid by taking his feet out from under him but sure Hawks you do you? Grundstrom looked hot when he and Toffoli ended up with on a 2-on-1 but he left the puck on Toffoli’s stick when it came to the shooting part and we all know how that goes lately. More fighting not worth penalties. More actual Kings penalties for dumb things like tripping, and hooking. More big hits. It’s a wonder the Kings got any shots in. As it was they only got off 6. So it was a miracle when one did actually make it past Crawford! Wagner, who’s goal at the beginning of the season was to get 20 points, achieved it in his 58th game, with a stunning wrister. What a way to end the second period.