Kings Vs. Blues, Game 4: Los Angeles Sweeps St. Louis

It may have been the two seed versus the eighth seed on paper, but in reality it was going to be a dogfight between two of the NHL’s best teams. The Kings, making their third consecutive playoff experience, were prepared for that fight. The Blues, making just their second playoff appearance since the lockout, were not.

The Blues, in contrast, did it too seldom and too late. Outside of the opening period of Game 1 and the desperate final periods of Game 4 when it was win or go home, the Blues never found their game -- never imposed their game -- against a tough opponent. Worse, the elevated emotional atmosphere of the postseason got the best of them. As Hitchcock said in his post-game media conference:

Less than a minute left in the game and the Blues pulled their goalie, trying to find some way of extending the season. With 25 seconds left, Brown scored his second of the game and sixth of the series on a breakaway, clinching the win.

The Blues made it a close one — as Quick said afterward, it was far closer than a four-game sweep — but timely scoring and brilliant goaltending was the recipe for the Kings to continue one of the most unlikely postseason runs in recent history.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Kings, please visit Jewels from the Crown or stay tuned to SB Nation Los Angeles. For updates and perspective on the St. Louis Blues, head on over to St. Louis Game Time or check out SB Nation St. Louis.