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.
Sweet revenge as Visnovsky lifts Kings over Ducks
The Kings and Ducks meet for the second time this weekend, after last night's heart-breaking loss in the shootout. Goaltender Sean Burke is in goal for Los Angeles, as Mathieu Garon started last night. Mattias Norstrom is out of tonight's game, due to his knee injury from last night.
The most productive line for Los Angeles has been Alexander Frolov, Michael Cammalleri and Dustin Brown. Between those three players, they have a combined 25 goals. John Zeiler, signed by the Kings and brought up for yesterday's game, was credited with 5 hits and brought lots of energy to his line, much like he did down at Manchester. His play has reportedly impressed Crawford.
Lubomir Visnovsky's goal from 40 feet starts the scoring off. Cammalleri sent a sweet cross-ice pass to Lubo, and he fired it over Giguere's shoulder to make it 1-0. It was Cammy's third goal in five games against the Ducks. And just like the previous night, the Kings score first. Rookie Anze Kopitar also gets an assist, building off his 2 point effort last night. He has 10 points in the last ten games.
The Ducks tripled up the Kings in shots (15-5), but the Kings remain on top. The only thing that seems to be working is the majority of the Ducks' shots have come from the outside. The Kings are making it hard for the skilled puckhanders of Anaheim to skate in, forcing them to dump and chase. But the Kings better start shooting, if they expect to remain on top.
First period: Kings 1, Ducks 0
An odd-man Anaheim rush results in a Duck goal. Andy McDonald skates it in and passes it over to Teemu Selanne. McDonald then crashes the net as Teemu passes it over to Chris Kunitz for his 20th of the season.
Shane O'Brien gets yanked for hooking, and a little bit later Rob Niedermayer also gets two for hooking, giving the Kings a quick two-man advantage. The Kings can only muster one sdecnt shot with two extra men, and as O'Brien skates out of the box, he hammers Anze Kopitar as he skates by. Anze is able to shake it off, and takes a pass from Lubomir Visnovsky and holds up for a few. He then fires it to the point, where Michael Cammalleri scores on a one-timer to give Los Angeles the lead again.
The second period found the Kings shooting more, but unable to stem the tide of shots from Anaheim. It would show more Duck shots, if the Kings weren't blocking as many (13-3 in favor of LA). Another key is the Kings power play. They have scored two out of four with the man advantage. Anaheim has had four chances, but have been unable to put one in. Since they do have the third best PP in the league. I'm sure that may change.
Second period: Kings 2, Ducks 1
12 seconds into the third, Referee Mick McGeough strikes again. Tom Kostopolous gets whistled for hooking, allowing the third-best power play to take the ice. Teemu Selanne finally scores on the power play to tie the game, becoming the franchise leader in goals scored as a Duck. It was his 301 goal as an Anaheim player, pushing aside Paul Kariya in the history books for Anaheim. Well, I wouldn't really call it a history book, persay. More like a leaflet pamphlet.
But for the third time this game, Los Angeles takes the lead. Frolov and Cammalleri battle for the puck along the boards. Frolov is able to get it out to Sopel at the point, as Cammy skates in. Sopel's shot is redirected by Cammy, and the resulting rebound off Giguere finds Derek Armstrong's stick, who puts it in for his 10th of the season. Armstrong was given a 2-year extension on Thursday, thanks in part to his heads-up play this season. He already has a career high in assists. Army is on pace for 58 points. Cammy has his second assist of the game, and has figured in all the Kings goal tonight.
The Ducks tie it again, when Getzlaf knocks Selanne's pass past Burke for his 21st. The Kings couldn't clear the puck as Scott Neidermeyer holds the puck in. Getzlaf receives the pass from Neidermeyer, then has a nifty behind-the-back pass to Selanne. Teemu holds onto the puck long enough to draw Blake toward him, then he passed it back to Getzlaf, who one-times it past Burke.
Visnovsky gets his clock cleaned by Chris Kunitz, as he crumples to the ice. Kunitz gets the penalty, but Lubo looks worse for the wear.
The Kings have really brought their A-game against the Ducks for the second night in a row. Their improved play has earned them another point. In February, they have earned at least one point in seven out of eight games.
Third period: Kings 3, Ducks 3
A scary moment in overtime found Chris Pronger injured when he took a puck to the face. As much as I don't like the Ducks, you hate to see any player get nailed with that hard rubber of the puck. It apparently got him on the chin, so it could've been a lot worse.
For the second game in a row and for the third time this month, we are going to the shootout. The Kings have only won three games out of eight in the shootout. The leading scorers in the shootout is Anze Kopitar with three shootout goals.
Michael Cammalleri starts it off for L.A., but he is stopped by Giguere.
Ryan Getzlaf wristshot beats Burke.
Teemu Selanne's slapshot is saved by Burke.
Anze Kopitar's slapshot beats Giguere to tie it up.
Sean Burke halts Corey Perry's snapshot.
Patrick O'Sullivan goes out for his first attempt as a King, but Giguere snaps it out of the air.
Chris Kunitz's slapper lifts the Ducks.
Jamie Lundmark keeps L.A. alive with his own goal.
Sean Burke turns back Andy McDonald and Rob Niedermayer.
Giguere is able to turn away Dustin Brown, but Lubomir Visnovsky finally puts the Kings on top for the win!
Final score: Kings 4, Ducks 3 (SO)
