Kings Vs. Coyotes, Game 3: Los Angeles Grabs 3-0 Series Lead

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

The Los Angeles Kings will try to complete the sweep as they face the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Sunday's Game 4 will be played in Los Angeles, the Kings lead the best-of-seven series 3-0.

The Kings have dominated the series through the first three games, holding a 10-3 goal advantage over the Coyotes. Los Angeles is 11-1 in the playoffs including winning their last eight games. Dwight King leads the Kings in this series with four goals. Jonathan Quick has allowed just three goals in the three games, saving 67-of-70 shots.

The Coyotes will try to send the series back to Phoenix by winning Game 4. If Phoenix is going to have a chance, they are going to need better play from goaltender Mike Smith. In the first three games of the series, Smith has allowed nine goals, saving 106-of-115 shots.

Sunday's Game 4 is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC.

For all news and information regarding the Phoenix Coyotes, please visit Five for Howling or stop by SB Nation Arizona. For updates and perspective on the Los Angeles Kings, head on over to Jewels From The Crown and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Jonathan Quick's Jersey Is Just A Big Stop Sign

Los Angeles Kings Centers Pace Club To Another Win

Dominant play from Kings centers Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll -- oh, and Mike Richards too -- leaves opponents powerless to match lines or win the puck for long.

Kings Vs. Coyotes, Game 3 Final Score: Los Angeles Grabs Deserved 3-0 Series Lead

We talk about “killer instinct” in hockey quite a bit. Great teams supposedly have it, and it’s a serious flaw for teams that lack it. Wow, do these Kings have it.

From the moment they scored their second goal, taking a 2-1 lead over the Coyotes in the third period of Game 3, the Los Angeles Kings completely took over the hockey game, and it was evident that the Phoenix Coyotes had zero chance of coming back from the deficit.

Relentless forecheck. Absolutely relentless. In the final three minutes of the game, the Coyotes couldn’t even skate with the puck. They may as well have not even tried. Radim Vrbata took a penalty in the final minute, but it didn’t really matter. Six-on-five, five-on-five or five-on-four, the Coyotes were just not scoring on Los Angeles in the late stages of Game 3.

They’re up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series with the Game 3 win, and they can close things out over the weekend in Game 4 at Staples Center. Phoenix brought all they had in this essential must-win, but the Kings just look like an absolute juggernaut right now. Can anybody beat them?

Dustin Brown Knows How To Draw Penalties

They’re always going to call the retaliation. The Coyotes have a right to be mad about that cross-checking call on Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but well … the kid is learning the hard way.

Jarret Stoll's Hard Forecheck Forces Coyotes Penalty

It was a pretty weak penalty call against Michal Roszival, whistled for high-sticking at the 4:43 mark of the third period. Did he get his stick up on Jarret Stoll? Yes, he did. Was it penalty worthy? I’d argue no.

But Stoll really did make the play on his own. He beat Roszival for a puck in the offensive end, and as the Coyote tried to fight off the attacking King, his stick went up and caught Stoll up high. The play doesn’t happen without the hard forecheck by the Kings.

Dwight King Goal Caps Off Great Kings Shift, Gives Los Angeles 2-1 Lead

Holy hell, Dwight King.

Well, okay. That’s not totally fair. King doesn’t deserve all the credit for the Los Angeles Kings’ second goal in Game 3, which has put them up 2-1 over the Coyotes in the third period. First, Jarret Stoll did a great job to intercept a clearing attempt by Phoenix, keeping a shift going for LA. Then, Trevor Lewis — complete with his broken face and everything — fell on the puck in the corner and from his knees was able to win the puck battle and dish it back to King.

That’s where King took over. He danced his way to the front of the net and ripped a snipe of a shot through Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith. It was a gorgeous shot and a great all around effort by Los Angeles. The trio responsible for the goal has been great for the Kings all night long, and now they’ve put their team on a path towards a 3-0 series lead.

Anze Kopitar Knots Score At 1-1

The Coyotes had the lead for two minutes and seven seconds. 2:07. That’s it.

Just after the Kings had allowed the Coyotes to skate through the neutral zone with ease on their opening goal from Daymond Langkow, Phoenix gave the favor right back. Dustin Brown fed Anze Kopitar from blue line to blue line, and Kopitar fooled young Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone, who pinched up just a little too far.

Kopitar made him pay for it, streaking free, accepting the gorgeous outlet pass from Brown and skating in clear on Mike Smith’s net. A little forehand-to-backhand move was all it took on the breakaway to beat the Phoenix netminder. It’s all it took to even the score up at 1-1. Justin Williams was credited with the secondary assist on Kopitar’s fifth goal of the playoffs.

For all news and information regarding the Phoenix Coyotes, please visit Five for Howlingor stop by SB Nation Arizona. For updates and perspective on the Los Angeles Kings, head on over to Jewels From The Crown and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Daymond Langkow's First Goal Of Postseason Gives Coyotes 1-0 Lead

That is a huge goal for the Phoenix Coyotes. They’ve grabbed the lead for the first time in the series thanks to Daymond Langkow’s first goal of the postseason at the 1:03 mark of the second period. It’s 1-0 Phoenix.

Remember how we were talking about the ease in which the teams were moving through the neutral zone? It’s continued into the second period, and it was evident on the goal.

Keith Yandle threaded a pass through a gap in the Kings defense, feeding Langkow right at the opposite blue line, where he was able to dash through Los Angeles’ last line of defense and in on goal all alone. The 23-foot wrister found a hole in Jonathan Quick and gave the Coyotes their first lead of the series.

For all news and information regarding the Phoenix Coyotes, please visit Five for Howling or stop by SB Nation Arizona. For updates and perspective on the Los Angeles Kings, head on over to Jewels From The Crown and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Kings, Coyotes Ignoring Neutral Zone In First Period

Neutral zone? What is that, exactly?

The Coyotes and Kings seem to have forgotten for much of the first period in Game 1. They’re flying through, mostly unchallenged, playing much of the game thus far at either end of the ice. It’s fair to say it’s about balanced at this point in terms of zone time, but both teams are getting through the middle of the ice with relative ease.

Phoenix Coyotes Look Strong Early In Game 3

The Coyotes definitely look more on top of their skates in the early going of Game 3. Los Angeles isn’t beating them to nearly the same number of pucks as they did in the first two games of the series. They’re getting through the neutral zone a little easier as well, and as a result, they’ve taken 15 shot attempts at Jonathan Quick through the first ten or so minutes of the game. That’s compared to just seven shot attempts from the Kings.

Oh, and Paul Bissonnette has made himself seen in his pair of shifts so far in the game. Sometimes, just a bit of energy can go a long way when your team has been thoroughly dominated like Phoenix has in these first two games. Bissonnette might not be all that good at hockey, but he can provide an emotional edge. It helps.

Los Angeles is getting its fair share of chances as well, but you can’t help but feel the Kings are a little less than comfortable with the way the game has begun.

Paul Bissonnette In Lineup For Game 3

Game 3 is underway, and yes, Paul Bissonnette is in the lineup. All hands on deck, Phoenix.

Paul Bissonnette Sighting In Warmups Before Game 3

I don't want to excite you or anything, but the NHL's most prolific Twitter user might just be in the Phoenix Coyotes' lineup during Thursday's Game 3. Paul Bissonnette has been spotted during warmups at Staples Center, and while that's not necessarily out of the ordinary, he's joined the fourth line during line rushes, an indication that he just might be in the actual lineup.

Lines in warm-up: The new fourth line is Bissonnette, Chipchura and Pouliot.

— Sarah McLellan (@azc_mclellan) May 18, 2012

Bissonnette hasn't played since the first round against the Chicago Blackhawks, seeing just 13 seconds of ice time in Game 4 before getting in a fight and earning an ejection for failing to tie down his fight strap. Marc-Antoine Pouliot is in Game 3 thanks to the suspension of Martin Hanzal, and Kyle Chipchura has played 12 games this postseason.

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett has put Biz in warmups in the past as a way to get the team excited for the game, only to pull him out of the lineup at the last possible moment. We won't know what the official word is until moments before puck drop. Chipchura has played 12 games this postseason for the Coyotes.

Coyotes Vs. Kings Lineup: Marc-Antoine Pouliot To Replace Martin Hanzal

With Martin Hanzal out of the Phoenix Coyotes lineup in Game 3 of the Western Conference final due to suspension, head coach Dave Tippett needs to make a few adjustments. According to the Los Angeles Times, Tippett will replace Hanzal in the lineup with forward Marc-Antoine Pouliot.

Pouliot played three games in the Western Conference semifinals against the Nashville Predators, but has yet to step into the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings. He's a defensive-minded depth forward who can play any forward position, so he'll give Tippett a bit of versatility in trying to combat what has quickly become a potent Los Angeles offense.

That's the only change expected in the Game 3 lineup for the Coyotes, who need a big win at Staples Center on Thursday evening to keep the series against the Kings interesting. Captain Shane Doan was not suspended for his hit on Trevor Lewis in Game 2 and will be in the lineup on Thursday night.

Lewis will also be in the lineup for the Kings. He told the Times that he did not break his nose on the hit from delivered by Doan and that he was cleaned up after a few stitches. Captain Dustin Brown is also fine after the suspension-worthy hit from Hanzal.

The Kings are expected to welcome Colin Fraser back to the lineup after he sat out Game 2 due to personal reasons. He played 7:31 in Game 1.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Kings Vs. Coyotes Game 3: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

Martin Hanzal Suspended 1 Game For Dustin Brown Hit

The NHL suspended Coyotes center Martin Hanzal for Game 3 after he received a major penalty and was ejected for boarding in Game 2.

Martin Hanzal Ejected For Boarding Dustin Brown; Suspension Coming?

The Phoenix Coyotes have already lost one player this postseason via suspension for a hit. Now Martin Hanzal may face disciplinary action for a hit on Dustin Brown.