Gaborik Scores Twice In Regulation, Adds Shootout Goal As Kings Defeat Habs, 4-3
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marian Gaborik's second power-play goal tied it with 45 seconds left in regulation, and he scored again in the shootout as the Los Angeles Kings rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.
Jeff Carter also scored in regulation and the shootout, and Anze Kopitar scored in the fourth round before Lars Eller put a shot off the post to end Los Angeles' second shootout victory in eight tries this season.
The defending Stanley Cup champions have won 10 of 13 overall, staying even with Calgary in third place in the Pacific Division.
Max Pacioretty scored in the third period and again in the shootout for the Canadiens, who rallied from an early two-goal deficit.
Tom Gilbert and Brendan Gallagher scored 94 seconds apart to tie it in the second period for the Canadiens.
Montreal still rebounded from back-to-back losses in California with its first point on a four-game West Coast trip. The Canadiens have lost three straight games for the first time since early December, but are still one point ahead of the New York Islanders for the Eastern Conference's best record.
After Pacioretty's 31st goal put the Canadiens ahead, the Kings finally awoke during a 6-on-4 advantage in the final seconds. Gaborik came out from behind the net and put a low shot around Carter's big screen.
Gaborik and Carter put the Kings' first two shootout tries past Dustin Tokarski, who made 26 saves in a rare start in place of Carey Price. David Desharnais and Pacioretty tied it with consecutive scores for Montreal.
Jonathan Quick stopped 15 shots for the Kings, who nearly hurt their playoff chances by wasting a 2-0 lead and a dominant performance in the first 30 minutes.
The Kings went ahead early on an exceptional redirect by Gaborik, who had his back to the net when he managed to put Brayden McNabb's off-target shot past Tokarski for his 18th goal. Kings captain Dustin Brown then threaded a pass to Carter for the power forward's fourth goal in three games.
The Canadiens finally got rolling with a surprising goal from Gilbert, a defense-first blueliner who walked the puck in from the boards for his third goal of the season. Gallagher then got the puck alone in front and buried a backhand for his 18th goal.
With Montreal controlling play, Pacioretty scored with 12:48 left in the third period, slipping in front to convert a pass from Desharnais.
NOTES: Pacioretty hadn't scored a goal in his last three games, but hasn't gone four games without a goal in 2015. ... Montreal scratched D Sergei Gonchar, with Mike Weaver taking his spot. ... The Kings beat Montreal twice last season for their first victories over the Canadiens since 2003-04. ... Carter played in his 700th NHL game and his 200th with Los Angeles.
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