The Los Angeles Kings took another step in their bid for a Stanley Cup title repeat, beating the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Friday to reach the second round of the NHL playoffs.
Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings is checked into the net by Roman Polak of the St. Louis Blues, as Blues goaltender Brian Elliott defends in the second period of Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings defeated the Blues 2-1.
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick made 21 saves and Dustin Penner scored with just two-tenths of a second remaining in the second period to lift Los Angeles, who ousted St. Louis four-games-to-two in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round set.
Quick won the Conn Smythe trophy last year as the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs for guiding the Kings' improbable run to their first Stanley Cup crown.
In six games against the Blues, Quick allowed 10 goals on 177 shots.
Drew Doughty also scored for the Kings, who swept the Blues in the second round last season.
Chris Porter scored the only goal for St. Louis, who won the first two games of the series before losing four straight.
St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott gave up both Kings goals as Los Angeles became the first reigning Stanley Cup champions in three years to reach the second round.