Coyotes vs. Kings: Game 3 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

The march to glory continues for the Los Angeles Kings, who moved to within one game of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals with a 2-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals at the Staples Center on Thursday night.

Early scores in the second and third periods by Anze Kopitar and rookie Dwight King, respectively, helped the Kings secure their eighth straight playoff win (tying an NHL record) and their 11th in 12 games since the end of the regular season. 

Once again, the Kings got contributions from just about all of their lines, from top to bottom, while Phoenix could do little to muster solid chances against LA's smothering defense.

Nonetheless, the Coyotes halted a slew of streaks 63 seconds into the second period. Keith Yandle sent a long pass up the ice to Daymond Langkow, who took advantage of the Kings' poor defensive alignment and promptly slotted a goal past Jonathan Quick that gave Phoenix its first lead of the series and LA its first deficit since the second round's Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues. It also snapped a shutout streak for Jonathan Quick that had lasted more than 100 minutes.

That goal also served to cash in a much-improved effort by the 'Yotes throughout the first period, in which they out-shot the Kings 11-8 (though it was LA that wound up with the better chances). 

But the Kings didn't wait long to even the score. Anze Kopitar scored on a breakaway just 2:07 later to even the tally at 1-1.

Mike Smith made several brilliant saves early in the third, as the 'Yotes struggled to get the puck out of their own end. But they couldn't quite stop Dwight King from snapping a shot into the net to give the Kings their first lead of the night less than two minutes into the period. LA went on to dominate the period and close out the game with a flourish, putting pressure on the puck and out-shooting Phoenix 13-4 over the final 20 minutes.

With a 3-0 series lead in their collective back pocket, the Kings will skate into Game 4 on Sunday looking to close out the Desert Dogs and nail down a spot among the final two teams vying for Lord Stanley's Cup.

Tweets of the Night

Who says there aren't "real" hockey fans in LA? Ben Maller of the NBC Sports Network had no trouble finding one:

"

First grader just rolled off 10 names of LA Kings players by matching jersey numbers. Someone should get her an NHL Sports Radio show.

— Ben Maller (@benmaller) May 18, 2012"

The Kings didn't even bother waiting for Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times to update the Twitterverse on the game before they tied up the score. The nerve...

"

first time Kings have trailed since Game 1 of secodn round opener...and by the time i typed that they tied it.

— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) May 18, 2012"

And thanks to Molly Knight of ESPN the Magazine for giving a textual synopsis of Coyotes coach Dave Tippett's reaction to Anze Kopitar's equalizer:

"

Kopitar ties it up 1-1 for the @LAKings. Coyotes' coach shown on TV saying: "F--- me."

— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) May 18, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Here's another look at Anze Kopitar's breakaway goal to even the score at 1-1 in the second. Kopi's a big guy who can rough it up with the best of 'em, but he's got some smooth moves with his stick as well.

Grades for Key Coyotes Players

Shane Doan: C

Shane Doan played another physical game but was nowhere to be found offensively in over 18 minutes of ice time. Phoenix's long-time captain took two penalties and didn't get off a single shot, though he did contribute 11 hits to the cause.

Still, Phoenix will need much more from Doan going forward if it's going to avoid being swept by their red-hot Pacific rivals.

Mike Smith: A-

Mike Smith made some amazing saves in goal, but was ultimately victimized by some defensive lapses by the skaters in front of him, who couldn't seem to handle the Kings' forecheck. Nonetheless, Smith deserves tremendous credit for stopping 26 of 28 shots to keep the Coyotes in the game.

Grades for Key Kings Players

Dustin Brown: A-

Everybody hates Dustin Brown. Except for everyone who plays or roots for the Kings. Brown continued to crawl under the Coyotes' collective skin on Thursday, drawing a cross-checking penalty on Oliver Ekman-Larsson and even drawing Mike Smith far away from the net for a check.

Throw in nine hits, three shots and an assist on Kopitar's goal, and Brown earns top marks for his effort in Game 3.   

Jonathan Quick: A-

Jonathan Quick had a relatively easy evening, thanks to a tremendous effort by the Kings on the forecheck. The All-Star goalie stopped 18 of 19 shots and deserves at least a partial pass for letting up a goal on a defensive breakdown by his back line in the second period.

Deciding Factor: Balance

The Kings have cruised through the playoffs behind contributions from just about everyone on their roster, and that certainly didn't change on Thursday night. Eight different Kings contributed multiple shots to the effort, with the top and bottom lines each accounting for a goal.

That's how you win in the playoffs, and that's precisely why LA now stands just five wins away from hoisting the Cup for the first time in franchise history.

Game MVP: Brown

Quick was great again, but Brown was the real difference-maker in Game 3. He was an offensive threat, a hard hitter, a pest and a defensive dynamo all in the same game.

Brown has so many facets to his game and showed off almost all of them in yet another winning effort for LA.

What's Next?

These two teams will reconvene for Game 4 at the Staples Center on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Follow @Josh_E_Martin