Matt Murray has been a Kings fan since the late '80s, when Wayne Gretzky grabbed headlines by defecting to the West Coast. Since then, he has been a card-carrying bandwagon member as the club soared in popularity with their sole Stanley Cup appearance to their position near the bottom of the Pacific. But things are looking brighter, as he is anxious to witness the rise of the new Kings.
Kings battle from behind to defeat Avalanche in shootout
Dean Lombardi made a rare appearance in the press box, as the Kings took the ice to face the Colorado Avalanche. During the pre-game introductions, fans lustifully booed the Avs players announced, with the exception of one: Ian Laperriere.
Besides the Ducks and Red Wings, no one brings out more boo-birds than Colorado. But the rivalry didn't really blossom until Rob Blake went over in a trade. After he signed with Colorado, every time he touched the puck, fans booed him merciliessly. Now that Blake is back with the Kings, the boos remain, forming a nice little rivalry between the two Western teams.
Anze Kopitar scored a power play on a nifty goal to lift the Kings, 1-0. Blake and Burke with the assists. He must've skated through three Avs players, then neatly deposited the puck past Budaj. It was an impressive goal by the 19-year-old, for his 18th of the season. He's extended his point streak to four games.
An interesting note on Kopitar: in the Team LA store, they are now selling replicas of the Slovenian team for... $190! Thing is, they look cheaply made, and his name, the logo and numbers are screened on it. The jersey itself has more holes than... something with a lot of holes in it. I think I'll pass.
The Kings scored again when Brian Willsie scored from up close to make it 2-0. Scott Thornton carried the puck behind the net and passed it over to Jaime Lundmark. Lundy backhanded a pass to Willsie in the slot, and Willsie shot it from close range past Budaj. It was his seventh of the season.
Rob Blake skated off the ice with an apparent injury as the period came to a close. After that, Tom Kostopolous and Lapperriere squared off for a little how-do-you-do in front of the Colorado net.
The Kings outshot the Avs, 16-10 in the first period. Jaime Lundmark has been playing well this period. He is already credited with 3 hits.
First period: Kings 2, Avalanche 0
Colorado got on the board when Brett Clark scored to make it 2-1.
The Avs have dictated the tempo of the second period. Lappy scores to tie up the game, and Staples Center erupts in the cheers of Avs fans, of which they are few and far between. Earlier in the first period, Laperriere got a nice round of applause when he was featured on the scoreboards as being one of the most popular Kings in their 40 year old history. Not too many fans are cheering now, as Lappy has tied it all up.
A foolish penalty by Brent Sopel has the the Kings short-handed going into the third period. The shots were even, and L.A. had two power play opportunities, but failed on both tries.
Second period: Kings 2, Avalanche 2
The Avalanche finally took the lead on a John Michael-Liles power play goal to lift Colorado, 3-2. A nifty play where Joe Sakic had the puck behind the net and quickly passed it to Paul Stastny. Stastny lost control of the puck, but the puck bounced to Liles, who slipped it past Burke for the score.
A defensive lapse that found John Zeiler and Lundmark sprawled across the ice when they ran into each other led to another Colorado goal. Heading into the Kings' zone with a three-on-two, Marek Svatos shot past Burke to score his 14th of the season. The Kings have failed to register a shot in the first 6 minutes of the third period.
Frolov backhanded a mishandled rebound to bring the Kings closer, 4-3. A shot from the point was lost in the chaos in front of the net, but Frolov was able to battle through it and popped it past Budaj. His team-leading 32 goals eclipses anyone on the roster, Cammy is second with 24.
Tom Kostopoulos gets whistled for tripping, and the Kings go back on the penalty. And seconds into the penalty, Milan Hejduk scored a power play goal to make it 5-3 Avalanche.
Back-to-back penalties to Stastny and Ossi Vaananen give the Kings a rare five-on-three opportunity for close to two minutes.After passing the puck around for ages, Lubomir Visnovsky scores on the slapshot from the point to bring the Kings within one goal. He has also extended his goal-scoring streak to three games. Michael Cammalleri has two assists in the game.
Just when things start clicking for L.A., the Kings get called for too many men on the ice, effectively killing any chance they have at tying the game. But L.A. is able to call a timeout and pull the goalie. And that's when Rob Blake scores on his own rebound to tie the game. Staples Center erupts in wild applause as the Kings tie the game and cap off an amazing comeback to take it to overtime.
Third period: Kings 5, Avalanche 5
The Kings get several odd-man rushes, but are unable to hold onto the puck long enough to get a decent shot. The Kings get three shots on goal, but Colorado is only able to register one. As we head to the shootout.
Los Angeles chooses to shoot second, so Colorado send Marek Svatos, whose attempt against Burke results in a goal.
Anze Kopitar shoots wide of the net.
Burke makes a save on Milan Hejduk.
Cammalleri backhands one past Budaj for a goal.
Joe Sakic puts Colorado ahead with a goal for the Avs.
Team leader Frolov puts a wristshot past Budaj to extend the shootout.
Burke is able to ward off Paul Stastny.
Lubomir Visnovsky shoots wide of the net.
Brett McLean's wrister lifts the Avs, 3-2 in the shootout.
But Jamie Lundmark ties it all up again.
Andrew Brunette is thwarted bby Burke.
Dustin Brown slowly circles center ice comes skating down. He dekes and scores, lifting the Kings past Colorado in this exciting game.
Final score: Kings 6, Avalanche 5
