Game 67: Canucks 4, Kings 2

A quick update here, as I caught parts of the game online... err, I mean, followed it on the radio, and I can't really speak to the Kings performance. But since when has that ever stopped bloggers online?

The Kings continue letting their opponents get ahead early, and fight back the rest of the game. They could only muster three shots! I doubt there was a game this season where the Kings had less. Hell, just clearing the puck every time it came in the Kings zone could garner more than that. Add to that they allowed 20 shots...

The Canucks had a sense of urgency right out of the gate, pumping rubber furiously at Quick, who turned all but two away. Doughty may get the early kudos for some for the Calder, but Quick should now be mentioned in the same sentence now.

The Kings are cinco points out, and things might become more dire after tonight's game against the Sharks. The only thing going for the Kings is the Sharks have lost four of their last five games. Maybe they can catch the Sharks early... it seemed to work for the Canucks...

• AP: Henrik Sedin nets 100th career goal as Canucks top Kings

It was the first loss in four games for the Kings, but their fifth straight on the road, where they are 13-16-1 this season. That's not a good sign for a team that remains five points out of the last playoff spot in the West, and plays 11 of its final 15 games away from home, starting in San Jose tonight.

• Yahoo: Team report

Strong special-teams play had fueled the Kings’ recent three-game winning streak, but that all ended Friday night. The Kings entered the game 9-for-9 on the penalty kill in their last three games, but they gave up a 5-on-3 goal to the Canucks late in the first period. The Kings also went 0-for-5 on the power play.

• Royal road report: Tough start too much

The Kings were 15-3-2 heading into this game when Anze Kopitar scored a goal and 38-18-8 all-time when he found the back of the net. His 24th goal of the season wasn’t pretty, but it tied the game up at 2-2 before the Canucks stormed back.

They said it

"The first period was the difference in the game. They came out with all the desperation that they needed to play the right way and play harder than we did and had the puck most of the first period." –  Kings coach Terry Murray.

Looking through purple-hued googles

• The Royal Half: The greatest line of all

Hey, awesome Fox Sports West! Thanks for actually broadcasting this game tonight. Oh wait what? It's an illegal internet stream I have to watch tonight? Okay, what ever you say!

• Inside Hockey: Finally, Kings are a team

What the LA Kings are doing right now, they shouldn’t be. But followers of the team don’t care about what ought to be. They’re just excited about what is.

• Examiner.com: Kings hope to keep win streak going this weekend

As the Los Angeles Kings prepare for two important games in the next two days at Vancouver and San Jose, here are some quick hitters of information and statistics to consider when watching the games.

• The Throne Room: 3 In a Row At Home, 3 Points Out

3 Home wins in a row, just when you thought the chase was about over for the Kings. I’m not advocating that they will make the playoffs, after all they have 3 nights without a game which gives all the other teams competing for that 8th playoff spot lots of time to get ground back, but it certainly looks more likely than it did a week ago.

From across the aisle, the Vancouver view

•  The Vancouver Sun: Canucks bounce back to beat Kings

Obviously smarting from their 0-1-1 road trip to southern California, the Canucks were ready from the drop of the puck — they actually won the opening faceoff — and dominated the first period.

• CBC.ca: Canucks withstand L.A. rally

L.A. goalie Jonathan Quick was the story early on as Vancouver pressed hard for the opening goal. The Kings netminder stopped a couple of 2-on-1s and poke-checked Kyle Wellwood as he tried to make a move on a breakaway.

• Crashing the Goalie: Who would you rather?

One of the teams we won’t be facing is the LA Kings. I’ve said this before. They’ll be heard from, just maybe not this year. But they did beat us earlier in the week so we should be showing up tonight with some urgency.

Peeping the dailies