LOS ANGELES – Marian Gaborik scored the final two goals of the game, including the game-winner in overtime and the Los Angeles Kings came from behind to defeat the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Saturday night at Staples Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The defending Stanley Cup Champions proved why they're the best team in the NHL as they opened up the scoring 11:10 into the game. Patrick Kane scored the goal for the Blackhawks, his 19th consecutive game scoring at least a point.
Chicago went up 2-0 when Niklas Hjalmarsson's slap shot from just in front of the blue line sailed over Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick's glove and into the back of the net. Once again, it was Kane who was recorded another point as he was credited with the assist.
The Kings wasted no time getting back in the game in the third and final period. Jeff Carter scored his 10th goal of the season on the Kings first shot, just one-minute into the final frame and the Kings trailed by just a goal.
The Kings clawed all the way back when Anze Kopitar put a pass on plate for Marian Gaborik with just over five minutes remaining in the game. It was Gaborik's fourth and most important goal of the season as it tied the game at 2-2.
"Goal scorers build confidence by scoring goals," Kings head coach Darryl Sutter said of Gaborik. "Hopefully this is a jump start."
The game would go to overtime as the NHL's ever-exciting 3-on-3 format took over in thrilling fashion. Gaborik sent the crowd into a frenzy when he buried the puck into the back of the net off a breakaway and the Kings took out their Western Conference rivals and Stanley Cup Champions to complete the comeback.
"We never quit," Gaborik said after the game. "That team over there on the other side is a great team. We came up short in their buidling and we are happy to redeem ourselves in this building."
TURNING POINT
Jeff Carter's goal on the first shot of the third period put the belief in the Kings that they could come back.
MVP OF THE GAME
Patrick Kane. On the night he set the American record for consecutive games with a point, the Blackhawks right-winger added a goal and an assist to his 2015-2016 campaign.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Patrick Kane set the NHL record for consecutive games with a point scored by an American born player (19) when his power play goal got past Jonathan Quick in the first period.
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"It's cool when you think about how many great American players have played the game and the two players that were at that 18-game point streak and what they've done in their careers," said Kane of this milestone. "It's pretty cool right now but it was kind of overshadowed by the loss."
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Even the Lakers haven’t been able to evade Patrick Kane’s point-streak pic.twitter.com/eKkdxkwEqU — LA Kings (@LAKings) November 28, 2015
A simple typo can change everything.
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
"Oh, you almost had it. You've got to be Quick-er than that."
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"No, means no!" –shouted by LA Kings fans every time Patrick Kane touched the puck.
NOTES
The Kings are now 1-4 against the Blackhawks since winning the 2014 Stanley Cup.
Derek Forbot was scratched before the game.
Staples Center and the Los Angeles Kings put in a bid to host the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.
RECORD
Chicago Blackhawks (13-8-3, 29 points) 3rd in Central Division
Los Angeles Kings (14-8-1, 29 points) 1st in Pacific Division
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Blackhawks return home to Chicago where they will host the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
The Kings remain in Los Angeles where they will hos the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
