Kings Vs. Canucks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 4: Cory Schneider Brilliant, Nucks Take 2-1 Lead

The Los Angeles Kings went on the power play twice in the second period and forced Cory Schneider into a ridiculous amount of work, but somehow managed to let the Vancouver Canucks back into the game. A bad penalty and a lucky deflection set up two goals for the visitors, and Vancouver leads 2-1 at the second intermission even though the Kings have twice as many shots.

Colin Fraser went to the penalty box 3:33 into the period for tripping and the Canucks capitalized instantly with a goal by Alexander Edler just over 30 seconds later. Ryan Kesler didn't get credit for an assist, but his contribution to the goal was as good as an assist. He got in front of Jonathan Quick on Edler's shot and prevented the Kings' goalie from seeing the puck.

Kevin Bieksa was credited with Vancouver's other goal 8:36 into the second period, though he needed some help from the Kings to score it. His long shot from the blue line took a massive deflection off the stick of Kings center Mike Richards, changing the trajectory of the puck in a way that made it virtually impossible for Quick to make a save.

LA's been good enough offensively that they should have made up for those goals, but Schneider played out of his mind in the second period, stopping everything thrown at him. He already has 30 saves in this game, and in his last five periods has played much better than Roberto Luongo did during the first two games in this series.

Also, during this period, Henrik Sedin punched Dustin Brown in the face and was not penalized. For those thinking that Brown took a dive, he actually came away from this with a bloody nose.

For more on the Canucks, head over to Vancouver Canucks blog Nucks Misconduct. For more on the Kings, head on over to LA Kings blog Jewels From The Crown and SB Nation LA.