Canucks 2 - 3 Kings
Final - 2OT
  for this game

Canucks visit defending champs in L.A.

Jan 28, 2013 - 4:10 PM (Sports Network) - It took longer than expected but the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings won their first game of the season over the weekend.

The Kings will try to make it two in a row when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Monday in a rematch of a 2012 playoff series.

After posting a 16-4 record in last year's playoffs en route to the franchise's first Stanley Cup title, the Kings began this lockout-shortened campaign with an 0-2-1 mark. However, Los Angeles finally earned two points in Saturday's 4-2 win at Phoenix.

Anze Kopitar scored twice to help the Kings get off the schneid. Jake Muzzin added a goal and an assist while Jeff Carter also scored for the Kings.

Muzzin's goal was the first of his NHL career but it wasn't exactly one for the highlight reel.

"It was one of those hope wristers that floated through and made it through," Muzzin said.

Jonathan Quick, who won the Conn Smythe for his brilliant play in the 2012 postseason, made 32 saves to improve his record to 1-2-1 on the year.

Los Angeles began its championship run last spring by ousting the top-seeded Canucks from the playoffs in five games and Monday's tilt is the first meeting between the clubs since that postseason series.

The Canucks have won four of the last six meetings in the regular season.

Vancouver fell to 2-2-1 on the season following Sunday's loss in San Jose Joe Pavelski scored a pair of goals to help lift the Sharks to the 4-1 victory.

Alexandre Burrows registered the lone Vancouver goal, while Cory Schneider surrendered all four goals on 27 shots for the Canucks, who went 0-for-7 on the power play.

"Power play wasn't as good," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said. "We were unable to score. A couple of unforced errors that ended up right on their tape and in the back of the net. What's important is how we responded, and I thought we responded very well."

Schneider is 2-2-0 with a 3.13 goals against average this season. With Vancouver playing the second part of a back-to-back on Monday, Canucks backup Roberto Luongo could get his second start of the season.

Monday's test marks the end of a three-game road trip for Vancouver. The Canucks are 1-1-0 as the guest this season after posting a 24-12-5 road record in 2011-12.






Related News