Puckosphere.com

The Kings, AEG and Staples Center know how to throw a party. The team’s first playoff game in 8 years was more than just a game, it was an event. The outside of Staples Center was decorated with balloons and banners, the arena’s iconic Magic Johnson, Oscar De La Hoya and Wayne Gretzky statues were all adorned with the Kings’ new home playoff sweaters – the “Back in Black” jersey as it’s become known. Live music was played, local radio stations had promotional booths set up, and Bailey and the Kings’ Ice Crew roamed the perimeter interacting with fans. Inside,

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I had intended to give my typical opinionated preview of all 8 playoff series, but since I waited until 3 game ones were in the books, I’ll stay close to home and preview the series that matters most to me. My beloved Los Angeles Kings against the Northwest Division Champion Vancouver Canucks.
If you look at the regular season series between the two teams, the Kings have managed only one victory against the Canucks (both at home) in each of the last two seasons. In the first 3 games between the two clubs this season, the Kings struggled to find offense,

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As has been the case most of the past two to three weeks, the Kings did very little offensively in the first two periods. As has also become the norm lately, the Kings played a much better third period and forced overtime – the fifth consecutive Kings’ game unable to be settled in 60 minutes.
In the final minute of regulation, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov had a 2 on 1 and a chance to win it. Brown had Colorado goalie Craig Anderson cheating off the post and elected to to shoot, instead making the anticipated pass to Frolov that was

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