Vancouver Canucks Vs. Los Angeles Kings, NHL Playoffs 2012: Complete Series Coverage

VIDEO: How Did Penguins, Canucks Stave Off Elimination?

Canucks Vs. Kings Game 4: Big Decisions Coming For Both Teams After Vancouver Stays Alive

With the Canucks managing to come back to life, both teams need to make changes in advance of Sunday's Game 5.

ANIMATED/PHOTO: Henrik Sedin Bloodies Dustin Brown's Nose With Backhand?

ANIMATED: Enthusiastic Los Angeles Kings Fan Is All Alone, Owning It

NHL Playoffs 2012, Kings Vs. Canucks Game 4: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The Los Angeles Kings will have an opportunity to sweep the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. Los Angeles currently leads the best-of-seven first round playoff series, 3-0.

VIDEO: Can Canucks, Penguins Climb Out Of 0-3 Holes?

Canucks Vs. Kings, Game 3: Vancouver Has Plenty Of Problems, Starting With Jonathan Quick

The lack of Daniel Sedin is a major blow to the Vancouver Canucks, but it's not the only factor in their continued struggles.

Kings, Canucks Have Some Second Period Fun

Daniel Sedin Injury Update: Canucks Star Will Miss Games 3, 4 Vs. Kings

The Vancouver Canucks will have Saturday off to recuperate and recover from back-to-back losses against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks will head to Los Angeles in a surprising 2-0 hole and just two more losses from being ushered out of the playoffs in a surprising upset. They'll also be taking their road trip without star winger and alternate captain Daniel Sedin.

According to the official Canucks Twitter feed, Sedin will not be traveling with the team to Southern California. Sedin has not played since suffering a concussion on March 21 as a result of a vicious hit by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith.

Sedin not traveling with the team essentially rules him out for games three and four of the series. It is possible Sedin may have to watch his team get eliminated not even from the sidelines, but from home.

For all news and information regarding the series between the Kings and the Canucks, keep checking this StoryStream. For more on the Canucks, visit Nucks Misconduct. For updates on the Kings, check out Jewels From the Crown and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Canucks Vs. Kings Game 2: Dean Lombardi's Vision Taking Shape

Dean Lombardi has been looking to put his team over the top for several years, but now his moves finally seem to be paying off.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Canucks Vs. Kings Game 2: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The Kings want a 2-0 lead, but the Canucks will be trying to avoid a 2-0 hole at home on Friday night.

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

Byron Bitz Suspended 2 Games For Kyle Clifford Hit

Byron Bitz has been suspended two games by the NHL for his hit on Kyle Clifford in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the league announced on Thursday evening. He'll miss Games 2 and 3 of the series, while it's still unknown just how long Clifford will be out with the injury he sustained on the play.

Here's the explanation from NHL player safety chief Brendan Shanahan:

It's clear that injury is a major component in the decision whether or not to suspend a player. In opting not to suspend Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators for his, um, predatory smash of Henrik Zetterberg's head, Shanahan cited the lack of injury to the Detroit Red Wings forward on the play -- even though concussion symptoms could still potentially arise down the line.

By injuring Clifford, however, Bitz likely solidified his suspension, even if the intent wasn't there like it clearly was on Weber's hit. He'll sit for two games as a result and the Canucks will go on without him.

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage of Kings vs. Canucks.

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

Byron Bitz Will Face Disciplinary Hearing For Hit On Kyle Clifford

Vancouver Canucks forward Byron Bitz will face a disciplinary hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his hit on Los Angeles Kings winger Kyle Clifford, the league announced Thursday afternoon.

Bitz shoved Clifford into the glass from behind near the midway point of the second period Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal series between the two clubs. Bitz was given a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct on the play. Clifford did not return to action and his status is unknown for Friday's Game 2.

Bitz has never been suspended in his NHL career, so he's not a repeat offender, but the league has shown precedent already in these playoffs when it comes to suspending or not suspending players for hits which cause injury. Brendan Shanahan, the league's chief of player safety, cited the lack of injury to Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg as the reason not to suspend Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber.

More: NHL needs to practice what the preach regarding head shots

Given that Clifford failed to return to Game 1 and he's still up in the air for Game 2, it's certainly possible Bitz sits for at least a game, if not more.

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage of Kings vs. Canucks.

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 Out: Vancouver Canucks Vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds Remain One-Sided

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?

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012, Canucks Vs. Kings Preview: Can Jon Quick, L.A. Defense Stop Vancouver Attack?

Can the iron-clad defense of the Kings hold off one of the most powerful offenses in the NHL? It all may come down to who gets healthy first, and whose secondary players step up.

NHL Playoffs 2012: Late-Season Surge Has Los Angeles Kings Looking Forward To Deep Run

A late season surge helped the Los Angeles Kings qualify for the postseason, and now that they're in, they have upset on their minds.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Vancouver Canucks Vs. Los Angeles Kings: Game Schedule, TV Coverage And More

The Los Angeles Kings used a strong stretch run to qualify for the postseason, but they have the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks to deal with now that they're there.