LOS ANGELES – Anze Kopitar scored the game-winning goal in overtime and the Los Angeles Kings handed the Vancouver Canucks their 8th overtime loss of the season 2-1 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Daniel Sedin put the Canucks up one on the power play thanks to his brother Henrick whose pass fell perfectly to Daniel's stick on the right side of the net. Sedin blasted a wrist shot through the five-hole of Jonathan Quick and Vancouver had the lead.

Drew Doughty brought the Kings level in the third period on the power play after his slapshot got past Canucks backup goalie Jacob Markstrom. The goal put Doughty 4th on the King's all-time franchise list for points amongst defensemen.

Marian Gaborik was credited with the assist, giving him four goals and six points in his last eight games.

With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Radim Vrbata was called for hooking, put the Kings on the power play for the final 90 seconds. Los Angeles was not able to capitalize, but had a 4-on-3 advantage for the first 30 seconds of overtime.

The Kings didn't score on the PP in OT, but Anze Kopitar finally connected on the game-winner 2:02 into the extra period when he got a great one-timer from Jeff Carter. The Kings outshot the Canucks 40-16 for the game.



TURNING POINT

Doughty's goal. The Kings were dead in the water before the defenseman tied things up at 1-1.

MVP OF THE GAME

The third period. The Kings outshot the Canucks 15-1 in the final period as they came-from-behind for the second straight game.

STAT OF THE NIGHT

Drew Doughty's third period goal gave him 280 points for his career, passing Lubomir Visnovsky for fourth all-time among defensemen in LA Kings franchise history.

TWEET OF THE NIGHT

A Charlie Brown Christmas steals my heart every time…but seriously, stay out of the box.

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT





When going between the legs for the score is not a good thing.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"I don't know. I wasn't in their dressing room before the third period." – LA Kings head coach Darryl Sutter when asked if the Canucks were tired for the final frame.

NOTES

Kings defenseman Matt Greene will undergo shoulder surgery on Thursday and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

The Canucks were without left winger Chris Higgins and right winger Jake Vlirtanen as both skaters were injured on Monday in the team's 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Canucks loss is their eighth overtime loss this season (most in the NHL).

RECORD

Vancouver Canucks (9-9-8, 26 points) 4th place in Pacific Division

Los Angeles Kings (15-8-1, 31 points) 1st place in Pacific Division

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Canucks will be happy to exit California as they travel back to Vancouver where they will host the red-hot Dallas Stars on Thursday at 7:30PM PST at Rogers Arena.

The Kings host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon at 1:00PM PST at Staples Center.