Kings vs. Coyotes Game 5: Weak Play in Game 4 Won't Destroy L.A.'s Momentum

The Los Angeles Kings can’t play perfect hockey every game.

With a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals over the Phoenix Coyotes, they succumbed to the desperation of the situation, falling 2-0 on Sunday.

Still owning a commanding 3-1 series lead, there is no reason to panic in LA.

The Kings were riding an eight-game winning streak before Sunday’s loss, and simply couldn’t match the intensity of the more desperate Coyotes.

Shane Doan was able to slip two goals past the red-hot Jonathan Quick, including the Coyotes' first power-play goal in the team’s last 23 attempts. Despite allowing the two goals, Quick still owns a 1.46 GAA and a .948 save percentage in the playoffs. He is the MVP of the postseason and one mediocre game does nothing to derail that.

LA had a streak of 30-straight penalty kills—going all the way back to Game 5 of the first round against the Canucks—before allowing the first period goal to Doan. They continue to ratchet up their aggressiveness when down a man and it’s one of the main reasons they are only one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals.

Despite losing the game, Los Angeles was still able to log 36 shots on goal to the Coyotes' 21 and had three more power-play opportunities. They were simply the victims of a strong bounce-back game from Phoenix goalie Mike Smith, who rejected all 36 shots he faced.

The Kings are one win away from becoming just the second No. 8 seed in NHL playoff history to win three series', and one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for only the second time in the 44 years of the franchise's existence.

The Kings had to lose a game at some point, and why not let it be when you’re up 3-0? The Coyotes are looking to become just the fourth team in NHL history to win four straight after falling behind 3-0.

History says the Kings will be just fine, and considering they are a perfect 7-0 on the road in the playoffs, a Game 5 win at Phoenix will be expected.

The Kings are the better team in this series and will ultimately prevail—even if it takes more than four games to do it.

Nothing comes easy in the NHL playoffs, and the Kings learned as much on Sunday. 

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