Johnson gets two for slashing, as the Leafs try to get something going. But L.A. kills the Johnson penalty, as it seems they are content with sitting back and playing defensively. Not a bad idea, since this is Los Angeles, and they lose big leads like Pam Anderson loses husbands.

LaBarbera has played awesome tonight, really making difficult saves, and looking like the LaBarbera of old.

O'Sullivan had a beautiful chance, but was stonewalled by Toskala. The Leafs' Kubina gets called for holding, as the Kings take the PP-mobile out for a spin. But they barely get a chance to take it out for a spin, before they have to put it back in the garage.

The Leafs score another, when Tucker scores from between the circles to give them two goals. The Kings are still playing conservatively, unless the top line is out there. The Leafs are outshooting the Kings, but aren't getting many good looks at the net.

Kilger gets two minutes for hooking, as the Kings gets yet another chance on the power play. Brown has a golden chance to get a hat trick, but shoots wide.

Kopitar gets a rare penalty, a hooking penalty, his sixth of the season. The Leafs are attacking the goal with wild abondon. But LaBarbera makes save after save. he is a man possessed tonight. He even slides out of the crease and winds up sitting on the puck to stop play.

The Leafs pull Toskala with 1:40 left in the game, and go with six players with the puck dropped deep in the Kings zone. Blake just hip-hammers a Leaf into the boards, much to the delight of the Kings fans in attendance. Johnson shoots wide of the crease, missing his bid to score tonight.

Third period: Kings 5, Leafs 2

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Ponikarovsky (Man, I love that name) sends Handzus into the boards and gets a penalty. LA. gets several chances, including Brown, who has two PP goals so far this game. But Toronto stands firm, and L.A. is denied.

Blake fires one from way downtown, putting the Kings up 5-0. The Kings have been cycling and circulating the puck, and one finally makes it through. It's Blake's fourth of the year, and his first in seven games.

The Leafs have a quick two-on-one, but they are shut down by LaBarbera. Although the Leafs have 9 shots so far, he's playing well. The defense is also blocking shots, so he doesn't have to stand on his head.

Kopitar is announced to the Staples Center as the sole representer of Los Angeles, and he is greeted by a warm round of applause. The kid deserves a trip, he's been the Kings best player this season.

The glass is shattered in the corner, as play stops. I've never really noticed that it takes 10 people to change on of those huge panes of glass. It takes a little time, because it's on the corner where the net is tethered to. Usually, the glass just has a straight crack in it. But it looks like the time I threw a hammer through my bedroom window, back in 1984. I wanted to try the Hammer Throw I had seen in the Olympics. Oops.

Guilano gets whistled for hooking, and the Leafs finally get on the board. Antropov beats LaBarbera for his 16th goal of the season. The Toronto crowd cheers much louder than the Kings, which sounds more like a sigh of relief than an actual celebration.

Johnson gets two for interfering with Sundin, and gives him a little shove after the veteran dove to the ice. I can't say I blame Johnson for being a little mad. Then Sundin draws Blake into the sin bin, giving Toronto a two-man advantage.

So Modry, Stuart and O'Sullivan are out there to stem the tide. LaBarbera has a sweet save, spreading wide to halt a Leaf scoring drive. He does it again, this time with his pads, kicking away a shot with authority. He then absorbs a cannon shot from the blueline.

The Kings kill the Johnson penalty, as LaBarbera is being called on to make some heady saves. Johnson, Visnovsky, Handzus and Calder kill the Blake penalty. And with 21 seconds left in the second, Ponikarovsky (I love that name!!) gets called for tripping. So the Kings will have the power play to start the third.

Second period: Kings 5, Maple Leafs 1

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Modry hits a laser beam, but it clanks off the post loudly, causing the fans to moan in unison.

The Kings score first, when Calder backhands a shot past Raycroft for his sixth of the season. Raycroft has been giving up some big rebounds, and he couldn't hold on to that one. It was the first time the Kings scored first in a long time. Usually, they spot the team a few before they get going.

The Leafs only have one shot so far, as the Kings look a little more focused than last game. LaBarbera makes two very nice saves when the Leafs finally register a few shots. I think fans are ready to jump all over LaBarbera again if he lets in another soft goal.

Antropov tries a wraparound, but LaBarbera is there. Dustin Brown draws a penalty when he's held by Kaberle, as the Kings go on the power play. And Dustin Brown knocks it in, when O'Sullivan's backhand toward the net and Raycroft fails to pull it in. Brown skates after it, and the puck dribbles in. O'Sullivan and Kopitar with the assists.

Frolov joins in on the fun, as he skates around the goaltender, turns wide and fires it past Raycroft. I guess three goals on seven shots is acceptable north of the border, because Raycroft is staying put. Nagy and Armstrong with the assists.

Wozniewski hits the puck over the glass and gets two for delay of game. And Brown scores his second of the period to give L.A. a 4-0 lead. The assists go to Visnovsky and Blake. The Kings have 11 shots in the first, and look dialed in.

Kings 4, Maple Leafs 0

Posted by Matt Murray at 7:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Both clubs are last in their respective conference. The Leafs lost last night against the Ducks, 5-0, so I'm sure they're a little punchy. The Kings have lost three in a row, and after the team's last game... let's just say things are bleak in L.A., as far as hockey is concerned.

For a good article about the Leafs and the Kings, head over to the Globe and Mail website.

Posted by Matt Murray at 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)