Kings make Quick work of Blues

For the first time since Wayne Gretzky took the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings are in the Western Conference Finals.

The Kings are playing on borrowed time after ousting the top seeded Vancouver Canucks in the opening round of the NHL Playoffs.

Just don’t tell that to Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Jonathan Quick, and the rest of the Kings after a second round sweep vs. the second seed St. Louis Blues.

The Kings got the sellout L.A. crowd out of their seats before many had even got to their seats as Jordan Nolan turned a Blues turnover into a Kings goal 4:36 into the opening frame.

Following a Kevin Shattenkirk goal tied the game and the first period was coming close to an end Anze Kopitar found longtime King, Dustin Brown, who managed to slip the puck past Blues goaltender Brian Elliott for a 2-1 Kings lead they never relinquished.

Quick made 23 saves on a day when the Blues challenged him, but the goaltender continued his stellar play he has displayed this postseason en route to a saving nearly 95% of all the shots he has faced.

The Kings await the winner from the Phoenix and Nashville series.  Phoenix currently holds the edge over Nashville 3-1 and may know their opponent if the Coyotes can defeat the Predators Monday night.

Entering the playoffs as a decided underdog, the Kings have the confidence and momentum for a possible run into the Cup Finals.  Knocking out the top two teams in the West is evidence of that.

Not only do the Kings possess the talent and coaching to win it all, but also the ability to rise to the occasion and make big shots and big saves without letting the moment get the best of them has been tantamount to their success thus far.

Hockey’s version of Cinderella still has time before their magical run comes to an end.

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Patrick is a diehard sports fan and former football player from Chicago, the greatest city in the world. The home of deep dish pizza, the greatest skyline in the world, and the best sports fans in America.  Patrick has been a fan of the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks from birth and is an avid college football fan, particularly the SEC.  Patrick is the host of “The Wake Up Call,”  a weekly sports show on Sportstownchicago.com every Wednesday morning from 8-10.  View his show’s website here.