2014 flashbacks as Kings top Rangers, Lundqvist in OT

By Emily Redenbach
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Updated: March 18, 2016

The LA Kings were denied their 2014 Stanley Cup Finals rematch last season when Henrik Lundqvist didn’t play here at Staples Center, so tonight marks the first time he’s been back since letting in that infamous double overtime Alec Martinez goal. (Truthfully I felt bad for him but that feeling came days later once the Stanley Cup high started to ebb ever so slightly.)

The Kings dominated most of the first period, so of course they conceded the first goal. It started well; Jeff Carter opened up the shooting with a stunning slap shot, the resulting rebounds created a lot of good chains that Lundqvist squashed. Then came a Kings power play that had a lot of good looks but a few too many passes that didn’t actually set up anything. Lots of zone time and chances don’t equal a win though, as the Rangers – who were being outshot by the Kings 9-3, scored almost easily on their 4th shot. It was right after a 4-on-4; Vincent Lecavalier angrily cross checked Tanner Glass. After the whistle and he responded by roughing up Lecavalier a little. Then the Kings lost the puck and the Rangers found it. 3 of them, with Jake Muzzin the only one back to defend. Of course the 3-on-1 resulted in a goal and the Rangers rejoiced. Not for long though, thanks to Captain Dustin Brown, who has 3 goals in as many games. He was the very definition of hustle, as he controlled the puck going into the Rangers zone, despite being hounded by no less than 3 Rangers. His persistence paid off as he finally got a shot off that beat Lundqvist, much to almost everyone’s surprise. With 8 minutes remaining now in the 1st period the game was tied, despite the shot differential.

The second was much of the same. The Kings got some great looks, but not much was happening down by Quickie. He did make some Jedi like moves when it did, which is always exciting to watch. The Kings were awarded another power play that they did even less with than the first. Something about the 4th shot on goal – the Rangers scored on it again. It wasn’t a complete shock; at least 4 Kings had the chance to clear the puck in front of Quick but turned it over consistently. Towards the end of the period Quick made a spectacular point-blank save but couldn’t find the rebound right in front of him; the resulting confusing turned into a penalty kill. Fortunately it was split evenly between the end of the second and the beginning of the third.

2:46 into the third disaster struck in the form of a third goal no coaches challenge could disallow. It looked bleak, as the Rangers have a 24-1-1 record when leading after 2 periods. Thankfully the Kings have the best record in the NHL for pulling off a win when trailing going into the 3rd, with 7 going into the game. (They also lead the league in wins when allowing the first goal with 16.) It didn’t take long for Kyle Clifford to tally the Kings next goal. Exactly 2 minutes later Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown were buzzing around the net; Carter perfectly executed a backhand pass to an open Clifford who shot into an essentially net, while Lundqvist was still looking at Carter. Not for lack of trying it took almost the rest of the period for the Kings to tie it up, and when they did it was beautiful. Powered perhaps by some Chris Sutter mojo (the goal happened 6 seconds after he appeared on the dance cam – in fact he was still featured on the jumbotron as the goal occurred) Milan Lucic teed up an absolutely stunning shot that Anze Kopitar tipped in. It was the Rangers turn to challenge the goal, also for goaltender interference but they weren’t any more successful than the Kings – the goal stood. With so little time remaining in regulation the puck seemed to be in the Kings zone more than was ideal, but they made their way into overtime where they have now won 13. (Must be 3-on-3, because the Kings record last season was 2-14 in OT.)

With the Carter-Kopitar-Doughty trio unable to get a shot off, Sutter sent out Martinez-Toffoli-Pearson. They too didn’t manage to get a shot off, but neither did the Rangers. The Kings had constant possession. Finally a combination of Drew Doughty to Jake Muzzin saw the puck through to traffic in front of the net which Kopitar dazzlingly tipped in past Lundqvist. (An OT goal beating Lundqvist at Staples Center? Why I never… ) It was Kopitar’s 4th overtime goal of the season, which is the most by any King in a season. The Kings are now 4 points ahead of Anaheim, with 12 games remaining, including 1 more against the Ducks.

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