LOS ANGELES – Radim Vrbata got the assist on the game-tying goal in the second period and then scored the game-winning goal in the third to crush the Kings fading hopes of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2015.
Vrbata, Nick Bonino, Daniel Sedin and Bo Harvath all scored for Vancouver and the Canucks defeated Los Angeles 4-1 in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center on Saturday.
“I thought we played a hell of a game today,” said Canucks forward Jannik Hansen. “We came out with a lot of intensity and I thought we were smoother in our breakouts than we have been in our past games against these guys.”
Heading into the game, the Kings were one point behind Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division and two points behind Vancouver for second. After the game, the Kings found themselves further away from the pack as the Canucks are now four points ahead of the Kings. The Calgary Flames, who picked up a point as well, are two up on the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
After a scoreless first period, Marian Gaborik got the Kings on the board first with his 22nd goal of the season. Gaborik took a pass from Doughty and beat Canucks goalie Eddie Lack with a wrist shot to his glove side.
“The bottom line is that you can’t win with just one goal,” said Gaborik of his team’s performance. “We had a lot of chances to put the game away but we just didn’t capitalize. We need to work on this. We need to score more goals without sacrificing our defense. We need to play the right way.”
Kopitar was also credited with an assist on the play, and earned his 600th career point. The milestone currently puts Kopitar seventh on the all-time franchise list for points.
The turning point in the game came when Tyler Toffoli missed a shorthanded breakaway goal early in the third period. After he missed the shot, Toffoli cross-checked Canucks forward Alex Burrows into the boards from behind and received a five-minute game misconduct penalty for boarding. The costly mistake gave the Canucks a 5-on-3 advantage and Vrbata promptly scored to give Vancouver the lead.
“A 5-on-3 penalty kill is not an easy thing to do, especially against the unit that they have, and they got a big goal,” said Kings captain Dustin Brown. “That ends up being the difference in the game. It was a hard game. Both teams understood how big of a game it was. Now it’s about getting ready to go on the road.”
Sedin and Horvat added an empty netter late, and the Kings playoff hopes are now looking dimmer than ever before as LA now goes on a five-game road trip against the best teams in the East, with every game a must-win.
Alexander Edler was the star of the game with one assist, eight shots, and six big hits.
Lack made 25 saves for Vancouver and picked up his 13th win of the season.
“This was a big win,” said Lack. “If we would have lost this game we would have been tied but instead we are 4 ahead. This was huge for the race.”
Kings goalie, Jonathan Quick, picked up a two-minute penalty for roughing in the second period after he went after Canucks captain, Henrik Sedin for slamming him in the crease after he made a save on his brother, Daniel. Quick and Sedin both received penalties for the scuffle, but it was Quick’s 18th penalty minute this season. In comparison, over the first seven years of his NHL career, Quick had a combined total of just 12 penalty minutes. Quick made 38 saves in the loss.
Game Notes:
The Kings celebrated the 8th birthday of their mascot, Bailey, by inviting other sports mascots to Staples Center to celebrate. Clark (Chicago Cubs), Mr. Dodger (LA Dodgers), Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys), Slapshot (Washington Capitals), S.J. Sharkie (San Jose Sharks), Cozmo (LA Galaxy), Tommy Trojan (USC Trojans), Joe Bruin (UCLA Bruins), Swinging Friar (San Diego Padres), The Dark Knight (Ontario Reign), The Lakers Girls and more were all in attendance participating in birthday games for the famous hockey mascot.
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