Season Series
Wow was this even. Each team played 2 home games, 2 away, and came out with one win, one loss, one OT loss and one OT win. They also won and lost a game apiece at home and away. Here’s a summary of the games:
November 19th 4-2 Vegas in Vegas. 3 goals in the first, 1 55 seconds in, 3 in 10:17. Only 1 penalty each in the second period. Kings outshot 29-40.
December 28th 3-2 (OT) Vegas in LA. Gaborik scored first, Doughty bookended to tie it with 4:33 remaining. 6 Kings penalties, 2 per period, only 2 Vegas penalties. Kings outshot 15-3 in the second. Quick named 2nd star.
February 26th 3-2 (OT) Kings in LA. 1 Vegas scored 1 in 1st, 1 in 3rd. Carter comes back 12:28 into the 3rd, (first of the season) Kopi ties it with 19 seconds. Brown OT winner 3:14 in. 4 penalties each in regulation, Brown PPG in OT. Kings outshot them 14-6 in the second, exactly even in the third and OT. Both Quick and Fleury stars of the game.
February 27th 4-1 Kings in Vegas. Vegas opened, Cliffy responded unassisted. Toff unassisted and Kopi in the second (30 seconds remaining.) Carts PPG to close the 3rd. 6 Vegas penalties, roughing, goalie interference, interference, roughing, boarding and abuse of officials. 4 Kings penalties. Outshot by Vegas 7-17 in the second. Campbell’s first win.
So the Kings didn’t start well but they did end well. Vegas became unruffled in the final game but the Kings were only saved from an abysmal second period by Quick. Having
Jeff Carter back seemed to be a game changer. While I still expect this to be a close series, I predict the Kings in 6. I don’t expect any blowouts. But here’s why the stats don’t tell the whole story – the Kings have playoff success already. Vegas, while made up of members who’s won a Cup before – has never been in as a team. Sure, no one expected their success so far, and sure they’ll put up a fight, but that x-factor can be a game changer come playoffs, and no one knows how to come up big with their backs against the wall like the Kings. Vegas just doesn’t have that. (We hope, right Kings fans?)
