How much things can change in a hurry.
The Vancouver Canucks were heavy favorites not only to beat the Los Angeles Kings, but to win the Western Conference Playoffs. A week later, it’s the Los Angeles Kings, eighth-seeded in the west, who are the darlings in NHL Futures Betting.
The Kings have won the first three games of their series with the Canucks, and look to close it out with a shocking sweep Wednesday night. The two teams square off in a pressure-packed Game Four at Staples Center.
Bovada is favoring the Kings at home by 1 1/2 goals with a -115 moneyline on either side.
Nothing has been shown to prove otherwise. Los Angeles has played like a team with urgency all series. Goaltender Jonathan Quick has stopped 111 of Vancouver’s 115 shots and held his opponents to a whopping 0-for-14 on power plays.
“We’re doing all the things we need to do on defense consistently,” Quick told the Associated Press. “If we stick to our game and keep it simple, that’s how you compete with a team with that much talent.”
Only three teams have ever come back from a 3-0 defecit to win the series in NHL history. The Philadelphia Flyers did it in 2010, a team that included Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.
Richards is now on Los Angeles’ roster, but won’t give Vancouver any answers.
“I don’t remember that far back,” Richards said smiling to the Associated Press. “I can’t let you know that mindset.”
The Kings have plenty at stake on their own to close out the series, and promise not to let up. The franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since 2001, and could make a huge statement doing it against the Presidents’ Cup champions.
“It’s important to understand the desperation they’re going to have, so we bring the same energy and enthusiasm,” Richards continued. “We shouldn’t change our style of play, but we have to bring it to an even higher level if possible.”
Among the many problems Vancouver is scrambling to fix, one might clear up tonight. Leading goal-scorer Daniel Sedin could return to action for the first time in weeks. He’s their best power play man, scoring 10 goals and 15 assists in those situations during the regular season. He’s been out 12 games with a concussion, and missed the entire series thus far. Head coach Alain Vigneault is keeping his status close to the vest, and hasn’t even said who will tend the goal, either.
“No matter who starts, we have to be ready off the puck-drop to play our best game,” Roberto Luongo said.
No team in hockey’s modern era has ever been swept after winning the most games during the regular season. It would be a historic flub on a night when the Pittsburgh Penguins are also hoping to avoid a sweep.
“We had a great day off, and we know where we are and what we have to do,” Canucks captain Henrick Sedin said. “If we get one win, we can bring it back to Vancouver and see what happens.”