Ducks hang on to beat Kings in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead
After dropping the first two games in the second-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Anaheim Ducks have taken a 3-2 series lead with a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 Monday.
A pair of youngsters led the way for the Ducks, as 21-year-old Devante Smith-Pelly scored two goals and 20-year-old John Gibson made 39 saves in the win, his second in as many career playoff starts. A goal by another young winger - Jakob Silfverberg - gave Anaheim a seemingly comfortable 4-1 lead, but if we've learned anything over the past few weeks, it's that NHL playoff games are not over until the final buzzer.
The Kings came to within one with a pair of goals by savvy trade deadline acquisition Marian Gaborik, but Gibson and the Ducks withstood a late flurry of shots to hold on for the victory.
Star Performer
With all due respect to Smith-Pelly, Gibson earned this distinction in Game 5. The rookie demonstrated great poise in net, outplayed Jonathan Quick (who allowed four goals on 24 shots), and made some incredible saves along the way, including a couple on this sequence in the second period.
[Courtesy NHL.com]
Turning Point
Smith-Pelly's goals were scored 93 seconds apart, and gave the Ducks a 3-0 lead at the time. While they would need one more to eventual seal the win, this outburst proved to be enough to build upon.
The first goal was initially credited to Mathieu Perreault, and was set up by a beautiful pass by the ageless Teemu Selanne.
[Courtesy NHL.com]
The second was unmistakably Smith-Pelly's, who gathered up a Ryan Getzlaf saucer pass and never looked back.
[Courtesy NHL.com]
In the eyes of his teammates, Smith-Pelly was the player of the game.
Smith-Pelly picked as player of the game in Ducks room.... pic.twitter.com/WBF9WXz2Ij
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) May 13, 2014
Highlight Reel
Marian Gaborik is proving to be a valuable addition for the Kings; the veteran became the first player to record three multi-goal games in the 2014 playoffs, scoring his second on a deft tip pass Gibson.
[Courtesy NHL.com]
The goal was the eighth in 12 games for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent.
Quote of the night
Ducks goalie John Gibson talked about Monday's game.
"I think I got tested more. I got more shots, and the guys did a really good job in front of me again. That’s why we’re winning."
But the real quote of the night came from Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who had this to say about the Ducks goalie.
On John Gibson, Sutter sarcastically says "He's the best goalie I've ever seen. I don't know how we ever got one past him tonight."
— Abbey Mastracco (@AbbeyMastracco) May 13, 2014
Series Recap
Game 1: Kings 3, Ducks 2 (OT) (Kings lead 1-0)
Game 2: Kings 2, Ducks 1 (Kings lead 2-0)
Game 3: Ducks 3, Kings 2 (Kings lead 2-1)
Game 4: Ducks 2, Kings 0 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: Ducks 4, Kings 3 (Ducks lead 3-2)
Game 6: Wednesday, May 14 - 9:30 PM EST
Game 7*: Friday, May 16 - TBD