It only took 205 some-odd minutes of game-time and 10 straight periods, but the Los Angeles Kings were not to be denied a goal. Who else but Trevor Lewis with an assist by Kyle Clifford?
Even after Sidney Crosby scored a shorthanded goal after slipping behind an excoriatingly slow Kings defense in the first period, tying the game didn’t feel like quite a feat for once. Well. It did but there was still some hope that it could happen today. And who better than a pair of fourth line grinders to score on the weirdest, bounciest puck?
Second periods have been much of a disaster for LA this season but they managed to outscore, out shoot and even out attempt the Pittsburgh Penguins. Progress!
Not a bad period all and all: LAK up 18-14 ES Corsi, PIT 7-5 scoring chances, 2-1 high-danger
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2016
Instead of allowing multiple goals in the second period, the Kings scored one (1). pic.twitter.com/ImU3DxzMW6
— THX BUD (@thxbud) November 4, 2016
The third period was interesting. Matt Greene somehow scored through a maze of bodies off a clean faceoff and the puck found its way past Marc-Andre Fleury into the back of the net. But then the Kings allowed that Crosby guy to be alone in front of Peter Budaj and you can guess what happened next.
Crosby ties the game pic.twitter.com/MbrRHT5qa6
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 4, 2016
Tyler Toffoli had the game on his stick in the dying seconds but alas, the teams had to settle for overtime.
Not to be nitpicky, because the Kings have played well, but yeah, that’s 17 straight (incl playoffs) since last regulation win on 4/7/16.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) November 4, 2016
As he has done so often this year, Nic Dowd shone as bright as a Staples Center spotlight, snagging the OT winner by patiently outwaiting Fleury. Hard to believe he was scratched for two games early on. He has been nothing short of effective since his insertion into the lineup.
Special teams didn’t really make difference in this game. Both teams were strong on the kill and they both went 0/3 on the power play.
After the Penguins handily hunted the Anaheim Ducks last night, the Kings managed to slow the champs down long enough to scrape out a post-regulation victory (because how else would they win?)
Also of note, Jeff Zatkoff received his ring tonight!
Zatkoff gets his Pens Stanley Cup ring before the game and it’s really shiny ✨ pic.twitter.com/LXFCMknGRk
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 4, 2016
Congratulations to Jeff “Mr. Game 1” Zatkoff on receiving his Stanley Cup ring. More from LA: https://t.co/ZMUAptGuJ7 pic.twitter.com/9yaeHukpa2
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 4, 2016
Final numbers courtesy of Sheng Peng:
LAK 40-37 ES Corsi, 5-4 High danger, PIT 15-10 scoring chances
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 4, 2016
The jam-packed November schedule continues with a game against the Calgary Flames, who appear to finally be getting some bounces their way following a slow start to their season. It is the final game of this brief home stand before they head out on the road for a five-game trip through Ontario, Manitoba and Colorado.