And just like that, both series are now 3-1.
Game 4: Chicago vs. Los Angeles.
I guess I got fooled by the fact that Chicago just won the Cup last season, that despite their rather mediocre 2013-2014 campaign, that they'd somehow "turn it on" and blast through the Western conference on their way to another appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
If this is going to happen, well, it'll be a whole lot more difficult than anybody thought it would.
Starting out in a 3-0 hole is always bad. Two of the three goals were scored on the power play, which indicates that penalties were taken, and that the Kings were ready to take advantage.
Of course, it also indicates that Corey Crawford was probably not on his game. He certainly wasn't showing the form that he did in 2013 when they were making that run.
Crawford gave up another one in the second period. The Kings scored in the third on an empty-netter that capped it off and destroyed whatever comeback attempt Chicago had in the works.
Saad and Bickell scored for Chicago. The main problem seems to be that their main offensive threats can't get going at the same time. In Game 3, Toews was practically on fire, but nobody else put it in the net. Last night, no one else was up to the task other than Saad and Bickell.
It's frustrating for me because I was hoping to see Chicago win the West and hopefully play Boston in the Final. Obviously, that isn't happening, but it may be that neither team will be there.
My main problem with the idea of Chicago winning this series in seven? Jonathan Quick. He hasn't been off his game since Game 4 of the first-round series against San Jose, practically. And even if it gets to a Game 7...I dunno, I just don't see it happening this year.
Los Angeles leads 3-1. Game 5 is Wednesday.
Later today, Game 5 in Montreal. With a win, the NY Rangers move on to the Stanley Cup Final.
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