Kings vs Ducks Game 7: LA’s California Reign

Need to win a game 7? No problem!

There were many ways another game 7 on the road could have gone for the LA Kings. I don’t think many predicted that they’d crush the Anaheim Ducks through most of regulation. After all, though the Kings came away with two road wins to start the Souther California series, they weren’t commanding wins at all. That wasn’t the case Friday night in Anaheim.

Justin Williams lived up to his “Mr. Game Seven” nickname yet again. He got the scoring started four and a half minutes in, whacking a rebound past Ducks goaltender John Gibson on on the power play. 1-0 Kings.

Though Gibson had played unbelievably at times, particularly in his game 4 shutout win, his luck ran out at exactly the wrong time. It wasn’t all his fault. Anaheim’s defense looked like they were in way over their heads against the Kings’ fast start. Jeff Carter muscled Hampus Lindholm out of the way to create a partial breakaway opportunity and score on the backhand. And he made it look easy.

 
An unfortunate call against Drew Doughty allowed birthday boy Corey Perry to gain a penalty shot. Luckily for the Kings, Quick used “poke check.” It was super effective!

Though it was still only the first period, the Ducks probably should’ve known they were done when they allowed the most unlikely King to join the goal-scoring party.

 
Well, hello there, Mike Richards!

He’d already earned an assist on Williams’ goal, and then Gibson let him slam a rebound home to widen the Kings’ lead. By the end of the first, all the ex-Flyers on the team had scored. #PaintItOrange

During the second period, the top line came rushing in, too. Kopitar made it 4-0 just two minutes in and chased Gibson from net in favor of Jonas Hiller. Marian Gaborik pushed the lead to 5-0 on another power play. Kings fans in Honda Center rejoiced and chanted Hiller’s name in his own arena for the second time in the series. LA fans were feeling so good that they started calling Honda Center their own.

And Quick felt so lovely that he started trolling Perry.

Kyle Palmieri scoring near the end of the second period gave the Ducks a little life. Some thought they might try to claw their way back into the game during the third once Perry finally managed to get a goal past Quick, but Carter and Pearson ripped those hopes away. The final score was 6-2. The Kings won decisively, and then stayed on the ice to salute Teemu Selanne for his final season in the NHL.

Next up? A Western Conference Final rematch against the Chicago Blackhawks.