Dustin Brown's big night puts Kings in surprising 2-0 lead on Canucks

Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown almost had a hat trick, but he's probably OK with the third being taken away as the Kings head home up 2-0 on the Canucks.

By Brian Stubits

Apr 14, 2012 at 1:05 am ET • 1 min read

Brown records the 10th postseason hat trick in franchise history. (Getty Images)

Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown nearly did something on Friday night that no King has done since the Great One. He had a hat trick until his third tally was eventually awarded to Jarret Stoll. Still, it was a pretty good night.

Like Mike Richards was in Game 1, Brown was the best player on the ice in Game 2. You want to know how good? The two goals he did get credit for came short-handed. That's having yourself a game right there.

As a result of Brown's big night, the Kings are now headed back home with a 2-0 series lead. A refresher, the Kings are the eighth seed. I know, it doesn't look like it with the way they have man-handled the Canucks in the first two games of this series, but they are.

It's hard to believe the team on the other end of the ice won the Presidents' Trophy this season. Either they are really missing Daniel Sedin out there or the Kings are one of the best eight seeds we've ever seen. Or both, it certainly could be. Because the Kings are no slouch, that's for sure.

The scary part for the Canucks? The Kings haven't won the first two games of this series on the play of their goaltender, Jonathan Quick. He's been good, obviously, but L.A. has been the dominant team in terms of puck possession. And scoring, obviously scoring.

On a night where two members of the Flyers had hat tricks, Brown's night might be a little overlooked. I'd advise against that. Nothing with the Kings should be overlooked right now, that was about as impressive a first two games as any team in the playoffs had or will have. It's either them or the Flyers, who have arguably the East favorite on the ropes the same way the Kings have the Canucks.

You heard a lot this season that the Kings would be scary if they ever started scoring in front of Quick. Well they have. I think you can look to Vancouver to see how scary they can be.

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