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| L.A. does plenty of smiling, especially in the first. (Getty Images) |
Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 2 (Kings lead series 2-0)
Kings 5, Blues 2 (Recap, Box Score)
Dustin Brown: Take your pick from the Kings, there are a handful of guys to choose from. But how about Brown? This is about a lot more than him being the captain for the Kings, he was in on everything it seemed in the win except for the goal scoring. He was too busy helping his teammates do that, finishing the night with three assists, including another on the penalty kill.
The first shift of the game. The Kings left the crowd in St. Louis and probably the Blues themselves stunned. I mean Dustin Penner toying with that defense on the goal line to set up a Mike Richards goal just 31 seconds in? Yes, stunning is a good word for that. L.A. absolutely dominated the opening period to the tune of a 4-0 lead. If Jaroslav Halak were healthy, you have to believe Brian Elliott wouldn't have seen any time after the first period.
Pretty then ugly. The first period was exciting to watch, unless you're a Blues fan. The Kings were buzzing all over the ice and had some highlight-reel goals to boot. With Jonathan Quick in goal, the game was put out of reach quickly. Then it got out of hand. The game denegrated to a nasty affair with skirmish after skirmish, and it was actually mutual, not just frustration boiling over for the Blues, facing a 2-0 series hole. There ended up being more than 100 penalty minutes combined.
We also would have accepted the word "crushing" for St. Louis.
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