Kings stifle Ducks to tie series and force Game 7

The Los Angeles Kings played a complete defensive game to stifle the Anaheim Ducks' offense and force a decisive Game 7 with a 2-1 victory in Game 6 on Wednesday.

Jake Muzzin and Trevor Lewis scored for Los Angeles, who limited the Ducks to five shots in the first period and seven in the second before Jonathan Quick shut the door with 10 saves in the third. Kyle Palmieri was the only Anaheim player who could solve the Kings.

Game 7 is set for Friday at 9 p.m. ET.

[Source: ExtraSkater.com]

Star Performer

Muzzin was effective for the Kings at both ends of the ice, opening the scoring with his third playoff goal and finishing with five hits and two blocked shots in 25:01, including over four minutes on the penalty kill. Only Drew Doughty played more for Los Angeles.

[Source: NHL.com]

Turning Point

Los Angeles was most impressive killing penalties - something the Kings struggled with earlier in the series.

Los Angeles forward Dwight King was called for hooking and Doughty took a slashing penalty in the opening 8:38 of the second period but the Kings held on to their 1-0 lead. Lewis scored the eventual winning goal 3:26 after Doughty's penalty expired and Los Angeles killed off two more penalties in the third to help seal the win.

Highlight Reel

Anaheim rookie netminder John Gibson suffered his first postseason loss, largely due to a soft goal by Lewis in the second period. Lewis fired a weak shot along the ice from the top of the faceoff circle and it trickled between Gibson's pads:

[Source: NHL.com]

The 20-year-old redeemed himself shortly after with this great glove save on Drew Doughty, who thought he had a wide-open net to make the score 3-1:

[Source: NHL.com]

Palmieri's goal required a slick wraparound move executed perfectly at top speed, which was the only way Quick could be solved in Game 6:

[Source: NHL.com]

Quote of the Night

Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau understands there's only so much Anaheim can do in Game 7, and the possibility of his first conference finals appearance as a coach will likely be decided by a little luck.

Series at a glance

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: Kings 2, Ducks 1 (Series tied 3-3)
Game 7: Friday, May 16 - 9 p.m. ET