Final - OT
Richards shines, helps Kings top Rangers in OT
Oct 8, 2011 - 4:43 AM Stockholm, Sweden (Sports Network) - Mike Richards shined in his Kings debut.The former Philadelphia captain scored the tying goal in the latter stages of regulation and set up Jack Johnson's game-winner in overtime, as Los Angeles opened the 2011-12 season with a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Los Angeles failed to capitalize on a power play late in the third period, but got another chance with the man-advantage when New York defenseman Ryan McDonagh was whistled for tripping during the extra session.
This time, the Kings were able to convert.
Acquired from the Flyers on June 23, Richards accepted Anze Kopitar's pass and from the right side of the net, chipped the puck to the slot for Johnson, sneaking in from his point position. The defenseman wasted little time and fired the puck past Rangers goaltender and Sweden native Henrik Lundqvist with 52 seconds remaining.
"It was nice to finally start the season," said Mike Richards. "It was nice to contribute and help this team open the season with a win. It's going to be fun here."
Jonathan Quick made half of his 24 saves in the third period for the Kings, who, like the Rangers, are coming off a first-round playoff elimination.
Lundqvist stopped 27 shots in defeat.
Marian Gaborik gave New York a 2-1 lead midway through the third. Brad Richards, the prized player in free agency, picked up an assist for his first point as a Ranger.
"When you play a good team you have to have two good lines going all night and we didn't have that," said Brad Richards. "We have to work harder, keep the puck more and try to gain some confidence."
Mike Richards answered with 4:59 remaining, redirecting a pass from Brad Richardson.
The teams traded goals in the first period.
A bad giveaway in their own zone by the Rangers led to Justin Williams feeding Kopitar for a successful one-timer at 10:51. Ryan Callahan, the new Rangers captain, tied the game seconds after recording his team's first shot, beating Quick with a wrister from below the icing line with 4:38 remaining.
Game Notes
Teams that have opened in Europe have gone on to win the Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons (Pittsburgh in 2008-09, Chicago in 2009-10, and Boston in 2010-11)...The Kings have earned points in nine of their last 10 games against the Rangers (6-1-3)...New York defenseman Tim Erixon made his NHL debut...Callahan finished with 11 shots...On Saturday, Los Angeles and Buffalo will meet in Berlin, while New York will face Anaheim in Stockholm...Later on Friday, New York forward Mats Zuccarello was fined $2,500 by the National Hockey League for a boarding Kings forward Kyle Clifford 3:05 into the first period. Zuccarello was issued a minor boarding penalty for the incident.
- NEW YORK: 2
LOS ANGELES: 2
End of Regulation
Oct 7 3:32 PM - Los Angeles Goal - Mike Richards, from Brad Richardson and Dustin Brown at 14:59.
Rangers 2, Kings 2 3rd - 5:01Oct 7 3:23 PM - NEW YORK: 1
LOS ANGELES: 1
End of 2nd
Oct 7 2:39 PM - NEW YORK: 1
LOS ANGELES: 1
End of 1st
Oct 7 1:46 PM - NEW YORK: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Oct 7 1:11 PM - NEW YORK: 2
LOS ANGELES: 3
Final - OT
Oct 7 3:45 AM
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