Kings Get Win in Time of Need

This was weight that King defenseman Joe Corvo didn’t mind shouldering: a group hug from teammates that seemed more like group therapy.

Corvo lined up a shot, then put the puck where he aimed for a power-play goal that gave the Kings a 5-4 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center on Saturday.

“That one was a little more relief than happiness,” Corvo said about being mobbed by teammates.

On the surface, beating the Blackhawks seemed to rate more a phew-type moment than monumental achievement. The Blackhawks are the next-to-last-place team in the Western Conference, and the Kings did blow a two-goal lead in the third period.

But the Kings may be grading on a curve these days.

Corvo’s goal ended a seven-game losing streak that had taken them to eighth place. His red-light moment also ended a week in which a nationwide scandal involving alleged gambling was invading the dressing room -- Jeremy Roenick, league sources say, was one who placed bets -- while harsh words about “respect” between Sean Avery and Coach Andy Murray were on display for public consumption.

Corvo provided momentary relief, sending a shot in from the blue line that beat goaltender Craig Anderson 40 seconds into overtime. With that, the Kings assured themselves sole possession of eighth place when the Olympic break begins after today’s game against the Dallas Stars.

“What a goal,” Roenick said. “We needed that. We needed that. After giving up two goals, the feeling was like, ‘Here you go again.’ That’s a credit to us to come back to win that game.”

The Kings seemed on their way to an easier afternoon. Goals by Pavol Demitra, Tom Kostopoulos, Craig Conroy and Eric Belanger made for a 4-2 lead after two periods.

The Blackhawks have rallied in the third period to win only once this season. But when Tyler Arnason and Martin Lapointe scored goals in a three-minute span to tie the score 9 minutes 38 second into the third period, the Kings had that sinking feeling.

“We’ve got to learn to close out games,” Conroy said.

Corvo provided some closure.

With the Blackhawks’ Matthew Barnaby in the penalty box for delay of game, Corvo sent a Demitra cross-ice pass to his intended destination.

“As the puck was coming to me, I was thinking in my head that I wanted to go high and I wanted to go against the grain, because he slid my way,” said Corvo, who was responsible for the Kings’ last victory in a shootout against the Mighty Ducks.

“I didn’t tee-off on it, I aimed it up there and it sort of fluttered on me. Accuracy is more important than power. It went right where I wanted it to go.”

Whether it was strong medicine or a placebo may be seen today, when the Kings face the Stars, the Pacific Division leaders. That honor belonged to the Kings the last time the two teams played -- a 3-2 King victory that gave them a four-point lead in the division.

The Kings have slipped fast, losing 12 of their last 15 games, and trail Dallas by 12 points.

Symptoms of what has ailed the Kings were apparent. They took nine penalties -- they are second to Chicago in penalty minutes on the season -- and allowed two power-play goals. They have given up 24 power-play goals in the last 10 games.

What offset that were multipoint games by Demitra, Conroy, Corvo, Lubomir Visnovsky and Kostopoulos.

“Winning is certainly a good thing,” Avery said. “But this doesn’t mean anything unless we do it again tomorrow.”