Dustin Brown scores in overtime as Los Angeles Kings beat Vancouver Canucks 2-1

Markus Granlund tied the game for the Canucks (11-13-3) with under four minutes to go in the third. He said it was tough to break down the Kings.

“Obviously they have a heavy team,” Granlund said. “I think we needed more speed and more legs to get more goals.”

Jacob Markstrom made 23 saves for the Canucks while Calvin Petersen stopped 32 shots for the Kings.

Vancouver spent a lot of time in L.A.’s end in the third period, out-shooting them 13-6.

But there weren’t a ton of “grade-A” chances, Petersen said.

“The whole time it was our game to win and I think it was just a matter of time really,” said Petersn, who earned his fourth win of the season. “Obviously when they get one that late in the game, it could be deflating but I think we have been through too much as a team to let stuff like that continue to bother us. It showed in the overtime. We controlled the play and luckily we were rewarded.”

The 24-year-old’s calm demeanour in net has helped the Kings this year, Brown said.

“Even from a young guy it has an effect on the team when you have a guy who doesn’t get flustered or when a goal goes in he just resets and goes,” said the right-winger. “That’s a big part of (goalie Jonathan Quick’s) game and Cal has a lot of that calmness in net that I think kind of helps our team not panic.”

Kings head coach Willie Desjardins felt Petersen helped set the tone early by making a couple of “outstanding” saves.

“For a young guy to come in and do that is pretty impressive,” he said.

The game also marked Desjardins’ first return to Rogers Arena. The former Canucks bench boss was fired at the end of the 2016-2017 campaign. He took over as the Kings’ head coach after the club turfed John Stevens earlier in November.

Desjardins received a mix of cheers and jeers from the crowd as his face was flashed on the big screen before the game.

Playing in Vancouver has always meant something a little different to the coach.

“Whenever you come back in here there’s lots of good guys in that room over there and I know that,” he said. “And I know they hate to lose as well but I certainly enjoyed a win.”

Despite the loss, Markstrom thinks the Canucks are doing well in their own zone and creating plays in their opponents end.

“We’re playing tighter in front of our net and we’re letting their shots come from the outside, so we’re doing a good job,” the goalie said. “We’re creating a lot of scoring chances as well even though we haven’t scored as many goals as we could have. … So goals are going to come.”

Vancouver continues its five-game homestand on Thursday, hosting the Vegas Golden Knights.

Notes: Veteran Kings goalie Jonathan Quick returned to the lineup on Tuesday, backing up Cal Petersen. The 32-year-old has struggled with a lower-body injury this season and missed the Kings last 12 games. … Vancouver was missing defenceman Erik Gudbranson, who tweaked his neck in practice on Monday and is listed as day-to-day. … The Canucks 50/50 jackpot hit a record-breaking $1,413,630 giving one lucky hockey fan a prize of more than $700,000.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Dustin Brown scores in overtime as Los Angeles Kings beat Vancouver Canucks 2-1

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