The Los Angeles Kings got the new season off to a roaring start with a 3-2 overtime victory over the New York Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden as part the NHL Premiere Series.

Center Anze Kopitar opened the scoring for the Kings at 10:51 of the first period, after right wing Justin Williams picked up a loose puck inside the Rangers blue line. He skated through the left circle before tossing a saucer pass across to Kopitar, who one-timed his shot from just below the right face-off dot, beating Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist top shelf, just inside the right goal post.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick looked confused, and was out of position when Rangers forward Ryan Callahan beat him with a wrist shot from the left corner, below the goal line at the 15:22 mark, tying the game.

Quick bounced back after allowing that soft goal, but Rangers winger Marian Gaborik got a rebound in front and lifted the puck over Quick’s right leg pad for a goal at 10:28 of the third period, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

But center Mike Richards answered for the Kings, taking a centering pass off the rush from left wing Brad Richardson. Richards re-directed the pass from the low slot, beating Lundqvist high, just inside the left goal post to tie the game at the 15:01 mark.

The game went into overtime, when Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonough was whistled off for tripping at the 2:51 mark, giving the Kings a four-on-three power play. They moved the puck around until Kopitar got it at the top of the right circle. He quickly passed to Richards, who was below the right circle. Richards threw the puck across the low slot to defenseman Jack Johnson, who had snuck in back door, and from left crease, he lifted the puck into the open left side of the net for the game-winner.

Early in the first period, Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello shoved Kings left wing Kyle Clifford into the end boards from behind, a dangerous play, given Clliford’s position near the end boards.

Zuccarello received a minor penalty for boarding on the play. After the game, the National Hockey League levied a $2,500.00 fine, the league maximum, on Zuccarello for boarding.

Game Highlights From NHL Video On YouTube

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