Kings take 3-0 series lead over Coyotes

The Kings are one victory from paradise, even if that might be in New Jersey.

A 2-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at Staples Center on Thursday night gave the Kings a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals, one victory shy of facing the New York Rangers or New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup finals.

Even if the Kings can’t close out the series Sunday, a second trip to the finals in franchise history seems inevitable.

Only three teams have come back from being down 3-0 in the Stanley Cup playoffs_the Toronto Maple Leafs (1942), the New York Islanders (1975) and the Philadelphia Flyers (2010).

PHOTOS: Kings vs. Coyotes, Game 3The Kings meandered through much of Thursday’s game, but Jarret Stoll put some energy into the effort with a steal and point-blank shot a little more than a minute into the third period. Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith made the save, but it set the Kings into a feeding frenzy that produced the go-ahead goal.

King picked up the puck in the corner, circled into the faceoff circle and put a wrist shot past goaltender Smith for a 2-1 lead 1 minute 47 seconds into the period.

It was King’s fifth goal of the playoffs and his fourth goal in the series.

Daymond Langkow gave the Coyotes their first lead in the series a minute into the second period. Keith Yandle’s pass sent Langkow streaking up ice. His wrist shot skipped off the ice and went between the legs of goaltender Jonathan Quick.

The Kings had scored first in eight of their 11 previous playoff games.

Phoenix’s lead lasted only 2:07.

Dustin Brown found Anze Kopitar skating free into the Coyotes’ zone. Kopitar charged in and guided the puck past Smith to tie the score at, 1-1.

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Kings take 3-0 series lead over Coyotes