Canucks Vs. Kings, Game 1: Los Angeles Takes Series Lead With 4-2 Win

GIF: Linesman Elbows Dave Bolland, Gets Payback In Form Of Stick To Face

Los Angeles Kings' Twitter Account Is Amazing, Must Never Change

Kings Vs. Canucks, Game 1: Did Vancouver Make The Right Call To Go Physical?

The Vancouver Canucks were criticized a year ago for not playing physical enough. They've added toughness this year as a result, but did the plan to beef up backfire on them in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings?

Canucks Vs. Kings, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Dustin Penner Scores Late Game-Winner, L.A. Up 1-0

The Los Angeles Kings have been one of the strongest clubs in the NHL since the trade deadline, and they didn't let their status as a No. 8 seed in the Western Conference deter them against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. Mike Richards led the Kings into Rogers Arena, where they used a late Dustin Penner goal to pull out what ultimately became a 4-2 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Yeah, I think Jeff Carter meant to kick that puck over to Dustin Penner. Crazy skilled, crazy goal. Game-winning goal, in fact. Dustin Brown sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 18 seconds left in the game.

Special teams play was big in this one. The Kings killed off five Vancouver power play attempts while scoring on two of their own eight attempts. The real winner in this one, however, is the Los Angeles Kings' official Twitter account. And apparently the majority of Canada:

To everyone in Canada outside of BC, you're welcome.

— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 12, 2012

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage of Kings vs. Canucks. For more on the Kings, check out Los Angeles Kings blog Jewels From The Crown and SB Nation LA. For more on the Canucks, head over to Vancouver Canucks blog Nucks Misconduct. We'll have coverage of every playoff series at SB Nation's NHL Hub.

Canucks Vs. Kings, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Alex Edler Scores Late In Second, Knots Score At 2-2

Alex Edler scored late in the second period to tie Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings at two goals apiece. It was a long floater of a point shot that found its way through traffic untouched before somehow fooling Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.

The goal was huge for Vancouver as it came just eight seconds before the team was set to enter the second intermission in a 2-1 hole. Willie Mitchell opened that lead for the Kings just three minutes prior to the Edler goal on a similar-type point shot that got through a screen set in front of Roberto Luongo.

The Kings aren't playing like a No. 8 seed in this one, but the No. 1-seeded Canucks might have all the jump after the late second-period tally.

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage of Kings vs. Canucks. For more on Sedin's injury and the playoff run from the Vancouver perspective, check in with Nucks Misconduct.

Byron Bitz Hits Kyle Clifford, Gets Ejected From Game 1 Between Canucks, Kings

Canucks Vs. Kings, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Mike Richards, Alex Burrows Goals Tie Game At 1

Alex Burrows scored just 4:17 into the first period to give the Vancouver Canucks an early 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, but that didn't last long. Less than 10 minutes later on the power play, Mike Richards took a tough angle shot that somehow snuck by Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo.

The Kings had quite a bit of trouble scoring this season -- in fact, they finished second to only Minnesota in fewest goals scored per game -- but it's something that improved toward the end of the season. None of that matters if Luongo is giving up gifts like that, however.

The Kings look dangerous on the power play, and that's problematic for the Canucks, who have taken six minor penalties as of the midway point of the second period. That could come back to bite them.

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage of Kings vs. Canucks. For more on Sedin's injury and the playoff run from the Vancouver perspective, check in with Nucks Misconduct.

Daniel Sedin Injury: Canucks Star Out For Game 1 Vs. Kings

Daniel Sedin will not be in the lineup for the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, head coach Alain Vigneault announced Wednesday via the team.

Sedin did not take part in the morning skate prior to the game at Rogers Arena, confirming his status as sidelined for the game. The Canucks leading scorer has not played since taking an elbow to the head from Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith in a game on March 21. Keith was suspended five games by the league for that hit, but Sedin will miss his tenth game in a row on Wednesday.

WIll it hurt the Canucks? They obviously lack the extra firepower, and without Daniel, his brother Henrik Sedin suffers a bit too. But in terms of direct results, the Canucks won eight of the nine games they played without Daniel, so maybe it won't matter all that much after all.

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage of Kings vs. Canucks. For more on Sedin's injury and the playoff run from the Vancouver perspective, check in with Nucks Misconduct.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Kings Vs. Canucks Game 1: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The Los Angeles Kings have top talent and split the regular season series with the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver won the Presidents' Trophy from a weak division. Can the Kings finally pull their talent together for a huge upset?