Facing a 2-0 deficit in the second period, the Los Angeles Kings found their offensive swagger and scored six unanswered goals. They went on to win the game 6-2 to even the Western Conference Finals with the Chicago Blackhawks at one game apiece.
Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy got the Blackhawks on the scoreboard with a power-play goal in the first period. Forward Ben Smith netted the second Blackhawk goal early in the second period.
Los Angeles forward Justin Williams scored his sixth goal of the postseason to close the deficit to one heading into the third period.
“It was a huge goal for us,” said Kings forward Jeff Carter in his postgame press conference, who tied the game at two with a power play goal a minute and a half into the third period. “I thought we were a little flat heading up to that goal.”
Defenseman Jake Muzzin gave Los Angeles its first lead of the game with a power play goal. Forward Tyler Troffoli gave expanded the lead with a goal of his own.
The final two King goals came off the stick of Carter. He became the 12th player in NHL history to record three goals in the final period of a playoff game, according to ESPN.com.
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick recorded the win and made 23 saves on 25 shot attempts by the Blackhawks. Chicago goalie Corey Crawford amassed 25 saves and suffered the loss.
“I don’t know if we’ve seen a game like that all year, where we’re doing everything right, and then all of a sudden it was a disaster,” Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said in his postgame press conference on lakingsinsider.com.
The action shifts to Los Angeles for game three on Saturday on game four on Monday.