Kings’ 3-2 overtime win over Blackhawks was more than a ‘regular’ game

It wasn’t a playoff game but it felt like much more than just one game of 82 on the schedule.

The intensity and quality of both teams’ performances Saturday in the Kings’ 3-2 overtime victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks inspired Milan Lucic to break out a leaping chest-bump move and Marian Gaborik to pump his fist in pure glee, unfiltered reactions that seemed heartfelt.

Although Chicago left Staples Center with one point instead of the expected two, followers of both sides were entertained by a matchup of the teams that have passed the Cup back and forth each of the last four seasons.

“It was a great game for the fans. You could hear that. It was unbelievable,� said Gaborik, who tied the game with five minutes and 55 seconds left in the third period and won it on a wrist shot 2:04 into a frantic three-on-three overtime period, each time on setups from Anze Kopitar. “We never quit. That team over there on the other side is a great team.�

The Kings (14-8-1) stayed atop the Pacific division by getting contributions from their top two lines, which has been rare this season. Gaborik had only three goals before he twice victimized Chicago goaltender Scott Darling on Saturday, and Kopitar — who has led the Kings in assists each of the last eight seasons — had recorded only four assists before he clicked twice with Gaborik.

The Kings’ most productive line, of Lucic, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli, scored the team’s first goal, 52 seconds into the third period, after Carter’s second swipe at a rebound. Getting consistent contributions from Gaborik, Kopitar and Tanner Pearson would ease the scoring burden.

“Goal scorers build confidence by scoring goals,� Kings Coach Darryl Sutter said of Gaborik. “Hopefully, this is a jump start.�

The Blackhawks took the lead early, with Patrick Kane scoring a power-play goal from the left circle for a 1-0 lead at 11:10 of the first period. Goalie Jonathan Quick kept the Kings’ deficit at one with an array of fine saves but was helpless when Niklas Hjalmarsson’s long shot deflected past him for a 2-0 Chicago lead at 12:56 of the second period. Kane extended his points streak to 19 games, the longest ever compiled by an American-born player. “He’s been great,� Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville said of Kane, who has 11 goals and 31 points during the streak and a league-high 37 points overall.

Carter’s 10th goal this season cut Chicago’s lead to 2-1 early in the third. Gaborik tied it after Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook overskated the puck, allowing Kopitar to pounce on it and feed Gaborik a slick pass.

Gaborik ended the wild three-on-three overtime after taking a perfect stretch pass from Kopitar. “It feels good to contribute and to get these couple of points here against a great team,� Gaborik said. “We’ve just got to keep it up.�

Etc.

A club spokesman confirmed the Kings have bid to host the 2017 NHL All-Star Game. The game was played at the Forum in 1981 and at Staples Center in 2002.

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