ANAHEIM—Matt Jones, the 23-year-old North Vancouver native, helped the Los Angeles Kings with a terrific performance to a 3-2 win at the Honda Center Tuesday night. He was the ninth player from each side to end the short marathon of one on one shots to the net.
With bragging rights at stake, the Kings came right out of the gate outshooting the Ducks 16-6 with two power plays in the first period. Anaheim showed that they were not to be underestimated as their goaltending from Jonas Hiller and a strong defense in front kept the game from slipping away too early.
The second period saw more action from both offensive sides as Jeff Carter opened the scoring on an unassisted wrist shot that nailed the high slot over the shoulder of Hiller for his seventh of the season. No more than 46 seconds later did the Ducks respond with a shot from Captain Ryan Getzlaf who scored on a tip in from Hampus Lindholm’s shot; that shot went off the mask of Martin Jones. This gave the Ducks center enough time to tie the game, as he gained his 14th of the year. Los Angeles remained vigilant doubling the shots on net.
The Ducks struck first for the lead at 2:14 in the third period where Corey Perry connected on a backhander during their fourth man advantage of the night. Perry added his 16th goal with Dustin Penner, and Cam Fowler each receiving their 13th assist. It didn’t take more than three minutes for the Kings to even the game once more on Kings captain Dustin Brown’s wrister that came off the face-off. It bounced behind Hiller for his fifth and the last goal seen in regulation. Both teams gained a point with Anaheim grasping on their point lead over Los Angeles.
Overtime saw a total of six shots, with the Kings taking five on the net, but in the quarter period of play and no leeway on the road, a shootout was in the works. Both Los Angeles and Anaheim put their best shooters on the lines to begin the fight for the second point. Frame after frame went by without a shot finding the back of the net. During round six, Jerret Stoll, who the Kings rely on in scoreless situations, had trouble himself getting through Hiller. It would go all the way to the ninth round where the Kings shot high above the glove side of Hiller to put them ahead.
Jones’ first win in the NHL as goalie came with 26 saves for a .929 save percentage. His tenacity gave Los Angeles a big win and a two-game winning streak. The Kings who are starting December with a bang take a two day rest hosting the New York Islanders Saturday night before heading east for a four game, eight day road trip.
