Kings-Canucks: Game 3 tied, 1-1, after first period
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Was that worth the eight-year wait?
Talk about making up for lost time.
The Kings played the first period on fast forward, and the Canucks matched their pace on Monday night at Staples Center.
It is 1-1 after one period. The Canucks struck early as speedy Mason Raymond, newly promoted to the second line, scored off a nifty backhanded centering pass from Ryan Kesler, at 2:09.
The Kings responded on ... what else but the power play? Five of their six goals in this series have been on the power play and this one came from defenseman Drew Doughty at 11:00 unfettered up the slot as he beat Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo just inside the post and Luongo’s left pad.
The hitting was unrelenting. Ryan Smyth looked dazed and confused after going hard into the boards. Rich Clune went off to the dressing room after also going into the boards. In true hockey tradition, they both returned by the end of the period.
Of course.
Even King goalie Jonathan Quick got into the action, shoving Henrik Sedin into the net.
Can’t wait for the next period.
--Lisa Dillman
