LA Kings beat Phoenix, move to brink of Cup final

By Greg Beacham

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, May 17 2012 9:45 p.m. MDT

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Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick blocks a shot by the Phoenix Coyotes during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals, Thursday, May 17, 2012, in Los Angeles.

Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press

Summary

Dwight King scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Jonathan Quick made 18 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings rolled to the brink of their first Stanley Cup final in 19 years with a 2-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.

LOS ANGELES — Dwight King scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Jonathan Quick made 18 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings rolled to the brink of their first Stanley Cup final in 19 years with a 2-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.

The Kings lead the Western Conference finals 3-0.

Anze Kopitar also scored to help the eighth-seeded Kings improve to 11-1 in their improbable postseason run. Despite trailing in a game for the first time since April 28, King scored his fourth goal in three games against the Coyotes, who face a deficit only three teams have overcome in NHL playoff history.

Game 4 is Sunday at Staples Center.

Mike Smith stopped 26 shots in a standout performance for the third-seeded Coyotes, who must win four straight to reach their first Stanley Cup final in club history.

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