A Night of Firsts

For the first time in eight years the LA Kings are battling for survival in the marathon that's known as the NHL playoffs.

Sixteen teams, two conferences, eight first round match-ups.  A long, long road ahead...with the team lucky enough to reach 16 wins first getting a one-on-one meet and greet with Lord Stanley's Cup.

Along the way records will be set and broken. The same can be said for bones, egos and hearts. Some - in fact, many - will probably be broken multiple times.

Last night was no such night. Instead, hope was realized.  Belief crept in for all the doubters.

It was also a night of similarities.  For the second game in a row the Kings and Canucks needed four periods to find a winner.

Two games in the series...and two matching scores...3-2 win in overtime.

The difference was the outcome.  Game two, Kings win - in a night of firsts...

Anze Kopitar's first playoff goal.

Kopitar's first overtime goal in the playoffs.

Kopi's first game winning goal in the playoffs.

Perhaps equally important to all three of those combined...Jonathan Quick's first playoff win.

Thank you Kopitar...you made it all possible...



The Mayor
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