LOS ANGELES – Tanner Pearson had a goal and two assists, including the game-winning pass to Nick Shore and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Saturday night at Staples Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
Marian Gaborik got the Kings on the board a little over a minute into the game when he beat Cam Talbot strong side after a great effort by Tanner Pearson in the Oilers zone. Pearson forced a turnover behind the net and sent a pass to Gaborik in front of the net for the goal.
Gaborik returned the favor at the end of the period when he led a fast break down the ice and his shot hit the crossbar. Thankfully, Pearson was there to knock in the rebound with a beautiful backhand to beat Talbot.
Leon Draisaitl put the Oilers on the board in the second period when he scored from the right side of the net on a 3-on-2 break. Taylor Hall fed Draisaitl for the goal.
Three minutes later, Milan Lucic extended the Kings lead to 3-1, as the scored for the third time in five games. The line of Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Carter, and Lucic continued their strong play as each touched the puck and earned a point on the goal.
Teddy Purcell got the Oilers within one five minutes after that when his wrist shot found the back of the net after Edmonton was relentless in the Kings zone.
Hall tied the game with less than five minutes to play in the third and final period off a chip play. Purcell found Hall in front of the net for the one-timer.
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Nick Shore netted the game-winner with less than two minutes left in the game. Shore was the recipient of Pearson's persistence in the Oilers zone as stole the puck and quickly passed to Shore for the goal from just in front of the blue line.
TURNING POINT
The Kings and Oilers were deadlocked at 3-3 with less than two minutes to play. Overtime seemed inevitable as the Oilers had captured the momentum. Pearson came through again for the Kings, stealing the puck in the Oilers zone and passing the puck to Shore who netted the game-winner.
MVP OF THE GAME
Tanner Pearson. The left-winger had a goal and two assists, but his energy and persistence around the Oilers net was the difference in this game. Pearson stole the puck twice Edmonton's zone and cleaned up a Gaborik shot that hit off the crossbar at the end of the first period.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Anze Kopitar became the eighth player in Kings franchise history to appear in 700 games for Los Angeles.
Drew Doughty played in his 541st game on Saturday night, tying Sean O'Donnell for fifth on the Kings all-time games played list among defensemen.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
And doors have opened. #Prayers4Paris pic.twitter.com/llraFWgIL8 — LA Kings (@LAKings) November 15, 2015
#PrayForParis
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Alec Martinez doing whatever it takes to defend the net.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"It's great to get the two points. Tanner made a great play getting it towards the net. I just tried to follow it up and luckily it went in." Nick Shore on his game-winning goal.
NOTES
The Kings have killed off 15 consecutive penalties and 21-of-22 overall. Los Angeles extended their franchise-best home winning streak against the Oilers to seven games.
RECORD
Edmonton Oilers (6-12-0) (3-7 on the road) last in the Pacific Division
Los Angeles Kings (11-6-0) (7-5 at home) 1st in the Pacific Division
WHAT'S NEXT?
Things don't get better for the Oilers as they return to Edmonton to host the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Kings head on the road for the next five games as they travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers on Tuesday night.
