Kopitar Scores OT Goal In LA Kings' 2-1 Win Over Canucks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anze Kopitar scored on a pass from Jeff Carter 2:02 into overtime, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
Drew Doughty scored the tying power-play goal early in the third period for the first-place Kings, who won for the sixth time in nine games. Los Angeles won its fourth straight home game on a beautiful finish by Kopitar, who scored his eighth goal of the season.
Jonathan Quick made 15 saves for the Kings, who outshot the Canucks 18-1 in the third period and overtime.
Backup goalie Jacob Markstrom made 39 saves in a standout effort for the Canucks, who lost in extra time for the NHL-worst eighth time this season.
Daniel Sedin scored a power-play goal in the first period for Vancouver, which has lost eight of 10. The Canucks responded fairly well to the embarrassment of a lifeless performance in a 4-0 loss at Anaheim on Monday night, but the Kings took charge late.
Markstrom missed out on his first NHL shutout, but otherwise filled in solidly for starter Ryan Miller. The Swedish backup managed just one win in his first four appearances for Vancouver this season, giving up 10 goals in three starts.
Seven weeks ago, the Canucks sent Los Angeles to an 0-3-0 start to the season with a 3-0 victory at Staples Center, holding the Kings to 15 shots. But the Kings have responded splendidly, winning 15 of 21 and moving atop the Pacific Division.
The Sedin twins both lost lengthy scoring streaks in Anaheim, but got started on new ones in the first period at Staples Center. Henrik fed Daniel for his 12th goal on a one-timer through a screen, putting the Canucks ahead on just their second shot of the night.
After a dull second period, Doughty finally evened it with a long, rising shot through traffic for the defenseman's third goal of the season with 13:06 to play. Los Angeles dominated play in the third, outshooting Vancouver 15-1 and getting a late power play, but couldn't end it.
NOTES: Russian defenseman Andrey Pedan made his NHL debut for Vancouver, playing just 3:54 in six shifts. ... The Canucks scratched D Christopher Tanev, who blocked a shot with his hand on Monday night, and RW Jake Virtanen, who has a hip pointer after taking a hard hit in Anaheim. LW Chris Higgins also sat out for undisclosed reasons after playing Monday. ... Los Angeles had lost three straight to Vancouver.
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