The Los Angeles Kings's series against the St. Louis Blues has been a beating. It has been five games of heavy hitting and big smashes into the boards. Each team is bringing their own aches and pains into a crucial Game 6.
The Kings have the momentum having won three straight games to get home-ice for Game 6. They have had a strong comeback and need just one more victory to move on to the second round. This matchup proves the Kings run to the Stanley Cup will be much harder than last year. The team flew under the radar into the finals in 2012, something they do not have the luxury of now. They are now simply in a battle with one of the tougher Western Conference teams looking to fight their way from an early postseason exit.
Every game in this opening series has been decided by one goal with short leads. The Blues are looking to change franchise history, having won just one playoff series since 2002, but it will be an uphill battle having to head into the Staples Center. Defenseman Barret Jackman says the team is not intimidated by the Kings or Los Angeles, they just need to focus on scoring more. Head coach Ken Hitchcock has had little criticism for his team. He believes they are playing physical hockey and is optimistic they can tie the series up.
History bodes well for the Kings. Only one in seven tries have they failed to win a playoff series when leading 3-2. However, they are 12-10 in closeout games like the one Friday. They struggle to shut a team out early, losing all four closeout games last season. However, their success in Game 7s should make the fans sit at ease.
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