03/07/26 08:56:00
Printable Page
03/07 20:54 CST Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki lead Canadiens' late comeback for
a 4-3 win over the Kings
Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki lead Canadiens' late comeback for a 4-3 win over
the Kings
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Juraj Slafkovsky scored his second goal 49 seconds before
he set up captain Nick Suzuki for the tiebreaker with 4:33 to play, leading the
Montreal Canadiens' rally for a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on
Saturday night.
Jake Evans also scored and Jakub Dobes made 35 saves for the Canadiens, who
salvaged the final stop of their three-game California road trip with a late
surge led by their offensive stars.
Shortly after Slafkovsky tied it on Montreal's only power play, Cole Caufield
forced a turnover that went from Slafkovsky to Suzuki for a one-timer that
slipped underneath Darcy Kuemper's arm.
Montreal had its NHL-leading 20th comeback victory one night after making a
late rally --- and then blowing a lead --- in a wild 6-5 loss to Anaheim.
Alex Laferriere scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period for the
Kings, who have lost seven of nine --- including two of three under interim
head coach D.J. Smith.
Scott Laughton scored in his debut for the Kings, who acquired the center in a
trade with Toronto on Friday. Kuemper stopped 19 shots.
Captain Anze Kopitar opened the scoring with his seventh goal late in the first
period. The Kings' 38-year-old captain, who is retiring this spring after 20
seasons with LA, ended his 21-game goal drought since Dec. 8.
Slafkovsky put Montreal ahead late in the second when he skated in off the
boards. The 21-year-old Slovak's first goal since January was also his 50th
point, making him the first Canadiens player to record three 50-point seasons
before turning 22.
Los Angeles didn't take a penalty until Trevor Moore went off for slashing with
5:53 to play, but Slafkovsky tied it moments later.
Phillip Danault got a lukewarm reception during his first game in Los Angeles
since the Kings traded him back to Montreal in December. Danault had four solid
seasons for the Kings, but then played 30 goalless games this fall and
reportedly requested an exit.
Up next
Canadiens: Host Toronto on Tuesday night.
Kings: At Columbus on Monday night to open a five-game trip.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
|