Before Jeff Carter went all one-man show and scored a hat trick plus an assist in the Los Angeles Kings’ third-period, come-from-behind 5-2 victory in Game 2 of their series against the Chicago Blackhawks, something crazy happened at the other end.
It should’ve clued us in that Wednesday was not to be the champs’ night.
With a brilliant opportunity to go up 1-0 midway through the first period, a shot off Jonathan Quick’s blocker flips over the goalie. Heading to the crease, centre Peter Regin is looking to bang in his first playoff goal for his new club when he is cross-checked from behind by Kings defenceman Willie Mitchell. The puck clinks off the crossbar and flutters down in from of Regin’s net-bound face.
Dude probably could’ve blown the puck across the line at that point… but L.A.’s Tyler Toffoli comes to the rescue at the last instant and gets a stick on it, stopping the puck from bouncing over the goal line.
Wild stuff.
The play was reviewed, and the puck never crossed the line.
Mitchell, however, was dealt a minor penalty on the play, and the Balckahawks’ Nick Leddy scored on the ensuing power play.
