Who would have thought that a game featuring Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith, two of the postseasons hottest goaltenders, would be tied at 3-3 entering the third period.
While both goaltenders have let three pucks behind them tonight, all the goals have been tips or good bounces.
The scoring began early with a goal from the Phoenix Coyotes. Taylor Pyatt would deflect a Martin Hanzal rocket from the slot on the power play. It was Pyatt's fourth of the postseason, and gave the Coyotes man-advantage unit a much needed boost.
However, that boost would soon be canceled out midway through the period. The Los Angeles Kings were called for too many men on the ice and it looked as if the Coyotes could take a commanding control of the game and momentum.
Instead of the Coyotes taking advantage of the opportunity, they would do just the opposite. Anze Kopitar would deflect a Drew Doughty shot from the point off a faceoff win and tie the game at 1-1.
After having the distinct advantage in the faceoff department early in the series, the Coyotes centers have struggled to win draws in their own zone. This was evident during a series of faceoffs in the second period where Jeff Carter got back-to-back chances off the same faceoff play.
The Coyotes would strike again at 6:23 of the second period. A defensive blunder by the Kings lead to the puck bouncing onto the stick of Marc-Antoine Pouliot, who put away a backhander past Quick. The goal was not only Pouliot's first of the postseason, but also career.
Drew Doughty and Mike Richards would round out the scoring for the Kings in the second period, and Keith Yandle would put a goal off his shin guards to tie the game up at 16:23 of the second.
While Radim Vrbata has only registered one assist this game, he has been a force. Vrbata had been nearly invisible this series after being the Coyotes leading scorer in their season series with the Kings. In Game 5 he has registered four shots on goal that have included a few post, and a missed open net.
If I was to make a pick for who will be the hero in this one, it's Vrbata. He has been working his butt off and has yet to light the lamp. Keep an eye on number 17 in the third.