Kings
Rule Over Ducks, Reach West Finals
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[May 17, 2014]
(Reuters) - The Los Angeles Kings
opened with five straight goals and dominated the Anaheim Ducks in a 6-2
Game Seven win to advance to the Western Conference finals. In what had
been a tight, pressure-packed series against cross-town rivals, the
Kings sucked the energy out of the Anaheim home crowd and wrapped up the
best-of-seven series 4-3.
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"I don't think anyone expected it to be that high scoring," said
Kings center Anze Kopitar, who had a goal and an assist.
"We got on a roll and we took off after that. We knew this would
have to be our best game of the series, and I think it was."
Los Angeles are in the West final for the third consecutive time and
face a rematch against the defending Cup champion Chicago
Blackhawks.
Chicago dispatched of Los Angeles in just five games last season en
route to the Stanley Cup final.
For Los Angeles, first period goals by Justin Williams, Jeff Carter
and Mike Richards saw them storm ahead of Anaheim and they never let
up.
Kopitar added a goal before Marian Gaborik converted his ninth of
the playoffs in the second period to chase Anaheim's 20-year-old
goaltender John Gibson.
Gibson had been a revelation for the Ducks as he won Games Four and
Five, before dropping the final two of the series.
Jonas Hiller came on in relief and stopped 10 of 12 shots. Jonathan
Quick made 25 saves to aid the Kings' victory.
Anaheim finally got on the scoreboard late in the second on a score
from Kyle Palmieri. Corey Perry netted a goal in the third to make
it 5-2 before Kings winger Tanner Pearson closed the scoring. The
loss ended the career of 43-year-old Ducks right winger Teemu
Selanne, who is retiring.
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Selanne was given an ovation at the end, with the Kings staying on
the ice to show their respect. "It was unbelievable," Selanne said,
about the Kings. "It was so much respect."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Ian Ransom/Sudipto Ganguly)
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