Quick did whatever it took to make amends for a disappointing game 2

No it wasn’t a must-win game 3-but as I always say ‘it was a better win this one or else’! And the Kings took care of biz by scoring the all important first goal of the game (by who else but Mr. Clutch Justin Williams) and they held on for a 3-1 win (including a late empty netter) over Chicago to make this a 2-1 Hawks series lead.

The Kings have now won 15 straight on home ice (8 of those in these playoffs) and it certainly helped that goalie Jonathan Quick was back on his all-world game making 19 saves and none better than the one in the final minutes to preserve the win on a point blank stop on Bryan Bickell (who scored his club’s only goal on an uncontested wrap-around in the last minute of the 2nd period).

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov gave his club a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period which gives him a new club record of 4 game winning goals in the same postseason. And the Kings minus Mike Richards again found a way to make this a series. Mike came into our press area to watch the game from the 2nd period on and I asked him if he thought he might be able to go in Thursday night’s game 4 and he didn’t rule it out by simply saying ‘I hope so’. Mike was also kind enough to stop and take a picture together at what some lovingly call ‘Ted’s Sports Bar’ where I sit for every event I cover at Staples.

with Richards at the alcohol free press area known as Ted’s Sports Bar

The following are my sounds of the post-game in a very up-beat but cautiously optimistic locker room:

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick:

Kings RW Justin Williams:

Kings captain Dustin Brown:

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov:

Kings center Jarret Stoll:

Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi:

Kings center Tyler Toffoli:

Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr:

When it was all over, Kings play by play guru Bob Miller gave me a few minutes to discuss his thoughts on the game including the bad high sticking penalty by Chicago’s Duncan Keith against Jeff Carter which resulted in ONLY a 4 minute minor penalty as opposed to what should’ve been a 5 minute major, a game misconduct, and a suspension—which don’t be surprised if Keith is watching game 4 from his locker room.

Bob Miller and I talk post-game:

To sum this series up…this was a great win for the Kings but if they don’t make it 16 straight at home on Thursday night it likely won’t be enough as the Blackhawks are too good a team to lose 3 straight to any club in the playoffs. OR ARE THEY???