Blackhawks vs. Kings Game 3: Score, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

The Los Angeles Kings held off a late charge by the Chicago Blackhawks to capture Game 3 on Tuesday at Staples Center, 3-1.

Justin Williams, Slava Voynov and goaltender Jonathan Quick were the heroes for the home team.

At the 3:21 mark in the first period, the Kings Justin Williams knocked in a 25-foot wrist shot, assisted by Slava Voynov and Rob Scuderi.

ESPN Stats & Info tweeted:

Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times added:

At the 6:42 mark, Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar was given two minutes for tripping Brandon Saad, but the Blackhawks were only able to get off one shot, which was blocked by Dustin Brown.

At the 14:03 mark, both Williams and Patrick Sharp were whistled for roughing.

At the 17:32 mark, Sharp was whistled again, this time for slashing Brad Richardson. But the Kings were unable to capitalize, watching all three shots on goal get saved by Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford.

Los Angeles had a 1-0 lead after one period of action.

The Kings out-shot the Blackhawks, 8-7. They also posted more hits, 13-10. Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play.

At the 2:59 mark of the second period, Chicago's Johnny Oduya was given two minutes for interference, but the Kings were unable to convert, watching two shots get blocked and two shots go wide of net.

But at the 6:37 mark, Los Angeles struck again. This time it was Voynov with an electric 34-foot slap shot off assists from Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter.

The Kings official Twitter account had this to say:

At the 7:58 mark, the Kings received another power play after Duncan Keith was given four minutes for high-sticking Carter.

Despite getting four minutes on the power play, the Kings didn't capitalize, getting off just one shot on goal.

The Kings were on the verge of heading into the third period with a 2-0 lead, but Chicago's Bryan Bickell scored on a nine-foot wrap-around with just 34 seconds remaining in the second period, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com then chimed in:

After two periods, the Kings had a 2-1 lead.

At the 1:52 mark in the third period, Chicago's Marc Kruger was whistled for high-sticking Toffoli, but the Kings once again fell short on the power play, getting off just one shot on goal.

At the 3:43 mark, Brown took a bad penalty, drawing a call for interference. But Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick came up big, saving three shots on the power play.

But there was no question that the Blackhawks had picked up the pace in the third period, putting pressure on the defending champs.

Brian Moore of RedEyeChicago.com gave his opinion:

Down the stretch, Chicago continued to threaten, but some close shots—coupled with some brilliant saves by Quick—held the Blackhawks at bay. 

With 27 seconds remaining, the Kings' Dwight King scored on the empty net, putting the game away.

Quick ended up registering 20 saves.

The Blackhawks now have a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference finals. The two teams will battle in Game 4 on Thursday at Staples Center.