Kings after deadline: Robbed or not, the Canucks have problems

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Was it a goal or wasn’t it?

Alex Burrows’ centering pass to Daniel Sedin caromed into the net off Sedin’s right skate at 3:06 of the third period Monday, and it appeared the Vancouver Canucks had cut the Kings’ lead to 4-3.

But after a lengthy review and consultation with NHL executives watching the game back in Toronto, the on-ice officials waved the goal off, saying Sedin had kicked it in.

Players can turn their feet or place a foot to direct a goal in, but the no-no is a distinct kicking motion.

Sedin’s movement didn’t appear to be a distinct kick, but the NHL thought otherwise.

It was a crucial moment in what ended up as a 5-3 victory for the Kings and a 2-1 series lead, and it had the Canucks stewing.

“I think it was a good goal but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what I think,” Canucks Coach Alain Vigneault said. “We have to deal with it and get ready for the next game.

“The big difference now is specialty team. Our penalty kill hasn’t done the job and our power play hasn’t done the job.”

There’s the understatement of the day.

The Kings, who were three for three with the man advantage on Monday, are seven for 12 on the power play in the series. The Canucks, scoreless in four power-play chances on Monday, are two for 11 on their power play in this series.

“We were right there in the third period, I think,” Burrows said. “Coming in we knew we were two goals down and would have to play well. That disallowed goal, we got one back and then they scored. ... We just have to bear down and play better.

“Five on five I think we’re right there. We were doing some good things. Just keep going. It’s going to be a long series.”

No feeling in his leg? No worries

Ryan Smyth was shaken up about eight and a half minutes into the first period Monday after defenseman Alexander Edler took him hard into the boards.

Smyth wobbled as he got up and needed help from two of the on-ice officials to get back to the bench. He missed a few shifts but returned to the game, warrior that he is.

“My leg went numb for a split second. I’m fine. It just came back,” said Smyth, who later scored the Kings’ final goal, a deflection off Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff at 9:21 of the third period that ended a spurt of pressure by the Canucks. “It was nothing serious.”

Slap Shots

Drew Doughty’s four-point performance (one goal, three assists) tied a Kings playoff record for a defenseman. It was set by Paul Coffey on April 20, 1992 against Edmonton. Doughty and Jack Johnson (three assists) tied a club playoff record for most assists by a defenseman in a game. It has been done twice before, the last time by Mathieu Schneider on April 18, 2001 against Detroit.

In the six playoff series the Kings have held 2-1 leads, they’ve won four times. The last occasion was the 1993 conference finals against Toronto, which they won in seven games.

--Helene Elliott