LOS ANGELES – John Moore scored the game-winning goal in the dying seconds of overtime and the New Jersey Devils doubled up the Kings 2-1 in their rematch of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on Saturday night.
Before the game, the Kings were told by head coach Darryl Sutter, that it was important to score early against New Jersey. Unfortunately, that message must have fallen on deaf ears as the Kings conceded a goal just one minute into the game.
"We weren't ready to start. It was probably a continuation of the third period against Washington," said Kings captain Dustin Brown. "We got a point out of it, but we lost a point because of our start."
Tyler Kennedy scored just his third goal of the season as the Devils bombarded the net. Both Trevor Lewis and Jake Muzzin failed to clear the puck out of the Kings' zone on the play and New Jersey capitalized with the early goal.
"I don't think the energy level tonight was where it needed to be, especially right off the start," said Kings center Anze Kopitar. "The power play was not on tonight. We just didn't play the way we need to win the game."
Anze Kopitar tied the game late in the second period after New Jersey goalie Keith Kinkaid fell down on the play. Lucic's shot went wide of the net, but the rebound off the boards went right to Kopitar who snuck it into the far right corner of the net.
But the Kings offense would go missing in action in the third period and subsequent overtime as Devils' defenseman, John Moore, snuck the game-winner past Jonathan Quick's glove with just 16 seconds remaining in overtime.
"I noticed in the corner of my eye he [Jonathan Quick] kind of cheated off the near-side post," Moore said of his goal. "So I just tried to throw it there and luckily it went in."
The win keeps the Devils slim playoff hopes alive, but the loss brings tremendous doubt on Los Angeles who seemingly continues to play down to their competition. Just 48 hours after defeating the best team in the NHL in the Washington Capitals, the Kings struggled for the second time this season against one of the League's worst teams statistically.
"They don't give you much, and to score against this team, you have to get around the net continuously all night long," Brown said of the team's struggles against New Jersey.
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Things won't get any easier for Los Angeles who is clinging to a two-point lead over rival Anaheim in the Pacific Division as they head out on the road on Sunday to face the best in the West in the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars on back-to-back nights.
Players of the Night:
Anze Kopitar – Goal (14:36 in 2nd period)
Tyler Kennedy – Goal (1:12 in 1st period)
Jonathan Quick – 22 saves.
John Moore – Game-winning goal in overtime.
Three Takeaways:
1. Shots Fired: The Los Angeles Kings fell well below their season average for shots on goal on Saturday evening. The Kings average a whopping 32.5 shots per game during the regular season, but were held to just 21 shots by the Devils who disturbed the LA offense repeatedly throughout the night.
Intermission report says NJ has blocked 22 #LAKings shots.
Just gotta keep grinding and shooting boys!#Believe — Gustl Kopitar (@GustlTweets) March 13, 2016
2. Points in the Pacific: The Los Angeles Kings earned a crucial point in the overtime loss, putting them two points ahead of the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.
Despite the #LAKings loss to the #Devils on Sat. night, this is all that matters #GoKingsGo #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/a7DlwEj8XS — Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) March 13, 2016
3. The Devil Made Me Do It: The Devils find themselves in second to last place in the Metropolitan Division and an astronomical 30 points behind the first place Washington Capitals. Despite their struggles this season, the Devils have dominated the Los Angeles Kings, sweeping the season series and holding one of the League's best offenses to just one goal in their two meetings.
@JayWillemse @boggslite Devils first team in over ten years to beat two teams that were -240 or greater favorites in a row. — Chris Wassel (@ChrisWasselDFS) March 13, 2016
Up Next:
The New Jersey Devils (33-29-7) will complete their Southern California two-step when they travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks on Monday night at 7:00 PM PST.
The Los Angeles Kings (40-22-5) head out on the road to clash with the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at 5:00 PM PST.
