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.
Stars tie game, Kings head into overtime
The Kings get an early power play, as Miettinen was called for tripping as the second period expired. But the Stars have the top penalty kill in the league, and they do just that.
Then Preissing gets two minutes in the sin bin, as the league's second-worst PK unit takes to the ice. Brown is able to wrangle the puck away for a short-handed attempt. But Turco cannot be fooled, as the Stars continue to be on the attack. Blake then gets sent to the box for cross-checking, giving the Stars a prime chance to tie the game.
L.A. kills the two-man advantage, but allow another bone-headed penalty, when Stuart gets two for delay of game, giving Dallas their third two-man advantage. The game is tied, when Modry is nailed by Niskanen's shot from the point, slowing the puck down, as it arcs over LaBarbera and into the net. The Stars still have the man-advantage.
LaBarbera makes a huge play on Halpern, as he shoots on a tight one-timer, and snaps the puck out of the air. The Staples Center crowd gives Jason a rousing roar of approval, as they show the replay. He extended fully, and made a beautiful save to keep the game knotted at 3.
The Kings are playing with some steam, trying to capitilze on the seemingly tired Stars.
L.A. gets another power play, when Ott gets a deuce for hooking Nagy. But the Stars seemingly stymie the Kings with one fewer player on the ice. Dallas kills the penalty, as both teams are slowing down now. As we head to overtime!
Third period: Kings 3, Stars 3
