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The Los Angeles Kings battled back to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, taking a 4-3 overtime win.
The Kings were all over the Blue Jackets early, creating turnovers and generating a ton of good chances, but Elvis Merzlikins made some key saves. The Kings outshot Columbus 13-7 in the period but couldn’t convert and the game remained scoreless after the opening frame.
The second period was more eventful, with the teams combining for 31 shots. Viktor Arvidsson finally managed to opened the scoring with a great shot off a faceoff, with only about six minutes remaining in the period. Columbus responded just 1:30 later though, as Patrik Laine snapped a shot over Quick’s shoulder to tie the game. Then only 25 seconds later, Sean Kuraly got a pass over to Oliver Bjorkstand, who quickly gave Columbus the lead. The Blue Jackets weren’t done there either, and only 21 seconds after that, Justin Danforth managed to chip a puck over Jonathan Quick and with three goals in just 46 seconds, all of a sudden, the Blue Jackets had a two-goal lead after 40 minutes.
Los Angeles battled back though, as Dustin Brown got the Kings to within a goal just a few minutes into the third period, as Merzlikins couldn’t handle Brown's shot and it somehow ended up going in. Then after the Kings limited the Blue Jackets to only six shots in the third period, Arvidsson got the puck in a good spot and scored with under four minutes to go, tying the game and sending it to overtime.
In overtime, it looked like Boone Jenner had won it for Columbus, but the play was ruled offside. Then after the game continued, Viktor Arvidsson used his speed to go down ice and get in alone, then went to the backhand to beat Merzlikins and win it for the Kings.
Even though the Kings had to battle back, they were the better team through a lot of the game. They controlled the first and third periods and outshot the Blue Jackets 43-29. That said, a poor 46 seconds almost sunk them and they can’t go through stretches like that where they’re getting caught puck watching and lose all momentum.
Viktor Arvidsson continues to be an excellent addition for the Kings (obviously, Phillip Danault as well), with 18 goals and 38 points in 49 games, a pace of 30 goals and 64 points per 82 games. He’s been a key source of goals for the Kings and his line has been one of the biggest reasons for the team's success.
It’s a key win, following back-to-back losses for Los Angeles. With the win, the Kings sit second in the Pacific Division in points percentage and sixth in the Western Conference. They’ll finish off their four-game road trip with a back-to-back set, playing the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow afternoon, followed by the Boston Bruins on Monday night.
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