Anze Kopitar’s two goals can’t save Kings in overtime loss to Columbus
Johnny Gaudreau scored 40 seconds into overtime and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Kings 6-5 Sunday night for their second straight win.
Jack Roslovic had two goals and two assists, Patrik Laine had a goal and two assists, and Boone Jenner and rookie Kirill Marchenko also scored for the Blue Jackets. Gaudreau and Vladislav Gavrikov each had two assists and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 33 shots.
Anze Kopitar scored twice, and Blake Lizotte, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Adrian Kemp also had goals for the Kings, who earned a point after rallying from two two-goal deficits. Jonathan Quick finished with 20 saves.
In the extra period, Gaudreau rushed in and tipped the rebound of Laine’s shot. The goal stood after a lengthy video review that revealed the Kings’ Kevin Fiala directed the puck into his own net.
“We can take them in overtime, as long as we get our points,” Roslovic said. “It’s great to see results for the work that we put in this year.”
The Blue Jackets carried a two-goal lead out of the first period after Marchenko’s first NHL goal at 6:44 and Jenner’s team-leading fourth power-play score, 17 seconds into a Kings’ penalty.
The Kings appeared to take charge in the second period, as Kopitar cut the lead in half at 4:42 and Lizotte pulled Los Angeles even at 8:25.
Anze Kopitar and Viktor Arvidsson scored first-period goals Saturday night, and the Kings held on for a 4-2 triumph over the host Montreal Canadiens.
Laine used a give-and-go from Roslovic to put Columbus back in front just after the midpoint of the second, before Anderson-Dolan pulled the Kings even again five minutes later.
“That’s great that we’re scoring all these goals, but obviously we’re not getting enough points,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “It’s great that we come back. Great that we score goals. Great that we stick with it. But the carelessness is killing us.”
Roslovic then scored twice 1:31 apart — one short-handed and one on the power play — to put Columbus ahead 5-3 with 29 seconds left in the period. He became the fourth player in Columbus history with a four-point game — the first since Rick Nash in 2009.
The Kings looked to control the third period, as they outshot Columbus 16-7. Kopitar cut the lead to one at 4:52 and Kempe tied the score 39 seconds later.
Veteran Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is equally deft at turning away competitors for his job and shots on goal, defying time and chasing wins.
“I really liked our first,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “I thought we were really plugged in. The second period, we give up two odd-man rushes in the first 1:10, and both differently. It can’t happen. Then they get the break away and so we lost some momentum there.
“We were on our heels in third, so it’s great to score again. You hope you win the game with six goals.”
Injury update: Kings defenseman Drew Doughty did not play because of a lower-body injury. He is listed as day-to-day.
Milestone: Quick became the 27th goaltender in league history — and fourth active netminder — to reach 18,000 career saves.
Up next for the Kings: At Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday at 4 p.m. PST.
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