2013 Second Round Game 6 vs Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings: From expansion to Stanley Cup champions.
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The team was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent Cooke was awarded an NHL expansion franchise for Los Angeles on February 9, 1966, becoming one of the six teams that began play as part of the 1967 NHL expansion. The team plays its home games at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, their home since the start of the 1999–2000 season. Prior to that, the Kings played for 32 years at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 2012-13 NHL Playoffs
- Round
- Western Conference Semifinals (Second Round)
- Venue
- Staples Center, Los Angeles
- Opponent
- Los Angeles Kings
- Key goalies
- Corey Crawford (CHI), Jonathan Quick (LAK)
- Series context
- Forced a Game 7 clincher in Chicago
Lore & Background
During the 1970s and early 1980s, the Kings had many years marked by impressive play in the regular season only to be washed out by early playoff exits. Their highlights included the strong goaltending of Rogie Vachon, and the 'Triple Crown Line' of Charlie Simmer, Dave Taylor and Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne, who had a famous upset of the rising Edmonton Oilers in a 1982 playoff game known as the Miracle on Manchester. In 1988, the Kings traded with the Oilers to get their captain Wayne Gretzky, leading to a successful phase that raised hockey's popularity in Los Angeles. Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, and Rob Blake led the Kings to the franchise's sole division title in 1990–91, and the Kings' first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1993, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens. After the 1993 Final, the Kings entered financial problems, with a bankruptcy in 1995, leading to the franchise being acquired by Philip Anschutz and Ed Roski Jr. A period of mediocrity ensued, with the Kings only resurging as they broke a six-year playoff drought in the 2009–10 season, with a team that included Jonathan Quick, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Justin Williams. Under coach Darryl Sutter, and with the acquisition of Jeff Carter, the Kings won two Stanley Cups in three years: 2012 over the New Jersey Devils, and 2014 over the New York Rangers, while Quick and Williams respectively won the Conn Smythe Trophy. The team has had mixed success since then as they have qualified for the playoffs from 2022 to 2026, but have not advanced past the first round – a feat they have not achieved since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014.
Reader's Guide
The Kings were founded as part of the 1967 NHL expansion. They played their first season partly at Long Beach Arena before moving to the Forum. The team's colors were originally purple (or 'Forum Blue') and gold. Key eras include the Triple Crown Line years, the Wayne Gretzky era, and the Stanley Cup-winning teams of 2012 and 2014.
Did You Know?
- The Miracle on Manchester occurred in 1982 when the Kings erased a 5–0 third-period deficit to upset the Edmonton Oilers in overtime.
- The Kings share Crypto.com Arena with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of Game 6 against the Kings?
The Los Angeles Kings defeated Chicago in overtime to tie the series, forcing a decisive seventh game back in Chicago.
Where was this pivotal playoff contest held?
This match took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, presenting a challenging road environment for the Blackhawks.
Which goaltenders started between the pipes for each team?
Corey Crawford anchored the net for Chicago while Jonathan Quick faced off against him representing the Kings.
Why is this game considered crucial to the season narrative?
It prevented elimination on the road and kept the team's Stanley Cup hopes alive by setting up a home-ice advantage finale.
What specific round of the playoffs does this entry document?
This match belongs to the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NHL Playoffs, serving as a gateway to the conference finals.
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