Overtime Isn’t Fun Time for the Kings Again, 3-2

The Kings must dread the NHL’s five minute overtime period this season.

They lost to the Calgary Flames, 5-4, with 38 seconds remaining in overtime on Feb. 5 at the Forum and they lost to the New York Rangers, 5-4, with 1 1/2 seconds remaining in overtime on Jan. 27 at home.

After scoring two third-period goals to overcome a 2-0 deficit and force the Boston Bruins into overtime Monday night at the Forum, the Kings lost, 3-2, when right wing Glen Murray scored his eighth goal of the season on a 15-footer with 56 seconds remaining in the extra period before a sellout crowd of 16,005.

Defenseman Alex Zhitnik gave away the puck at the right boards to center Ted Donato, who fed right wing Steve Heinze in the circle. Heinze set up Murray, who was uncovered in the slot and he put it past the legs of goalie Kelly Hrudey.

Defenseman Rob Blake, who sent the game into overtime when he scored his 16th goal of the season with 5:39 remaining in the third period, took the blame for the loss because he was too late in getting to Murray.

“You feel the weight of 24 guys when you make a mistake like that,” Blake said. “It was just coverage and we go over that day in and day out in practice and when you let it go . . . It’s just a mental mistake, not being in the right position.

“I should have been closer to him. I should have been on him very much sooner.”

Less than a year after making the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history, the Kings are in jeopardy of failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 1986. If the season ended today, the Kings (21-29-6) wouldn’t be in the playoffs.

“It’s do or die, and if we don’t get it going we’re going to be out of it,” King center Pat Conacher said.

In the third period, the Kings did get going, scoring twice in a 2:34 span to tie it at 2-2.

Wayne Gretzky, the NHL leader with 98 points before the game, assisted on both goals to record the 14th 100-point season of his 15-year NHL career. He leads the NHL with 72 assists and 50 points on the power play.

Jari Kurri scored his fourth goal in the last three games with 8:13 remaining on a pass from defenseman Doug Honda.

The Kings got a chance to tie the score only four seconds later when they went on a power play after left wing Dave Reid was penalized for hooking. Blake tied it when Gretzky set him up from behind the net. Blake beat Bruin goalie Vincent Riendeau for his fifth power-play goal of the season.

The Kings, who were outshot 141-69 in their last three games, were outshot 18-2 by the Bruins in the first period.

In an effort to motivate his team, King Coach Barry Melrose inserted center Brian McReynolds and left wings Dave Tomlinson and Keith Redmond in the lineup. All three had been recalled earlier in the day from the minor league affiliate in Phoenix.

“We haven’t been playing well and I had to get some guys who play hard in there,” Melrose said. Melrose benched right wing Tomas Sandstrom, who hasn’t scored a goal in his last six games. It was the second time this season that he has been scratched.

“I’m (mad) about not playing, but he’s the coach and he makes the calls,” Sandstrom said.

King Notes

Tony Tavares, the Mighty Duck club president whose comments about Wayne Gretzky influencing officials inspired Gretzky to a five-point performance in the Kings’ 5-3 victory over the Ducks on Friday, said he has learned a lesson. “The bottom line is what I was trying to accomplish was to push Wayne away from the referee and vice versa,” Tavares said. “Instead, what happened is I pushed him toward the net.” Tavares stands by his claim that Gretzky influences officials. “Anyone who has achieved what he has is going to have influence with officials,” Tavares said, although he said he realized Gretzky was upset that he said he “cries all the time” to officials. “We all learn lessons in life, and I prefer to learn mine from the best,” Tavares said. “He’s a good teacher, and I’m a fast learner.”

Tony Granato, suspended for high-sticking Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Neil Wilkinson, will appear at an hearing today in New York.

Times staff writer Robyn Norwood contributed to this story.