Colorado Avalanche Earn One Point in Shootout Loss

Dec 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) reacts after he scored the winning goal past Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) in the shootout at Staples Center. The Kings won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche would come back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game going into overtime thanks to Johnson and O’Reilly, but came up short as Kopitar buried the potential winner in the shootout, giving the Kings the 3-2 win.

Colorado was skating well in the first period asTyson Barriesent a pass in front of the net forRyan O’Reillybut was stuffed by the undefeatedMartin Jones. O’Reilly would have another solid scoring chance asMatt Duchenebodied up his defender by protecting the puck as it bounced to a wide-open O’Reilly but was saved. Kings would get caught with the first penalty of the game asAlec Martinezwas sent to the box for holdingP.A. Parenteau. The Kings defense played as if it were even strength, pressuring the puck. Colorado’s penalty would be killed off as they have struggled on the power-play.

The Los Angeles Kings would get on the board first asJeff Carterscored his 11th goal of the season, with just 31.3 seconds remaining in the first period to put the Kings up 1-0. Just 5:25 into the second period,Justin Williamswould score his 12th goal of the season off of a rebound, putting Los Angeles up 2-0 early. It seemed like one of those games for the Avalanche to lay down and let the Kings take over. Colorado would bounce back as Los AngelesJarret Stollwould be called for trippingJamie McGinn. That would set-up a power-play goal forErik Johnson, as the defenseman scored his 5th goal of the season off of a nice pass from Matt Duchene.

Tyson Barrie would be called for hooking late in the second period giving the Kings a chance to take a two goal lead, but Colorado’s penalty-kill unit would hold their ground, killing it off. Colorado would score yet another power-play goal 10:27 into the third period as Ryan O’Reilly would cash in his 12th goal of the season, as Matt Duchene would pick up another assist. The two teams would finish the period tied at two heading into overtime, but wouldn’t score. A shootout was looming at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Jeff Carter would be the first man up for the Kings as wrist shot was stopped by goaltenderSemyon Varlamov. Matt Duchene started it off for Colorado and was robbed by Martin Jones. That was huge for Los Angeles due to the fact that both P.A. Parenteau and Ryan O’Reilly would get stuffed.Anze Kopitarwould score the game-winning goal in the shootout as he shot it past Varlamov, giving the Kings the 3-2 win and two points. Martin Jones became the second goalie in NHL history to win his first eight games.

Three Stars:

3: Anze Kopitar (LAK): Game-winning SO goal, assist.

2: Matt Duchene (COL): Two assists.

1: Martin Jones (LAK): 23/25 saves, .920 SV%. 8th win.

The Colorado Avalanche (23-10-2) will be in San Jose Monday to take on the Sharks. Puck-Drop is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET, 8:30 PM MT.

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