In the second game of back-to-back matches, the New York Rangers ran out of gas in the third period in Los Angeles and lost a two-goal lead and the game, 4-3, in overtime Thursday night.
Anze Kopitar tied the game late and then scored the game-winner in extra time.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Kopitar said. “To come back like we did in the third, it shows the character, again, that we have in this room. It’s definitely a nice a little boost for our hockey club.”
For the Rangers, it was a loser’s point they will take as they continue to be chased by the New York Islanders; though the Isles lost Thursday to the Nashville Predators.
“He’s (Kopitar) a big strong premier player in this League, and they’re tough to handle,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. “Our guys gave it everything they had tonight and we’re going to go to San Jose re-energized and get ready for an afternoon game.”
Dan Boyle, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller scored for the Rangers.
Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves but was upset about the game-tying goal that was reviewed and upheld by the NHL.
Lundqvist was critical of his team in the last minutes of regulation though this was a second straight difficult game against two of the better teams in the league.
“I think it comes down to just making really smart plays the last five-six minutes,” Lundqvist said. “We put ourselves in a tough spot and they kept coming. We just have to be very smart with the puck. That’s been our recipe the last couple of years; the last five or six minutes, you don’t give them much. [We’ll] try again.”
Jonathan Quick had 23 saves in the win and Kyle Clifford and Dustin Brown also scored for the Kings.
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