LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings scored three unanswered goals that allowed them to take a 3-1 by the third period, but Minnesota Wild’s Krill Kaprizov scored the game winning goal in overtime for a 4-3 loss on Thursday night at Staples Center.
“We were just holding back too much and the desperation kicked in for them (Wild),” a disappointed Anze Kopitar said post game.
On a high note, Dustin Brown captured a huge milestone when he scored his 300th career goal late in the second period, on an assist from Alex Iafallo and Kopitar during a power play. His goal came on the power play, giving him 97 career power-play tallies. Brown is the 22nd American player to accomplish this goal. Focused on getting a victory in the game, his teammate Lias Anderson had to inform Brown and congratulated him after the game.
“I didn’t know what he was congratulating me for. That’s kind of how I found out. I guess if you play long enough, you can eventually get to any milestone,” Brown said.
Brown is responsible for helping the Kings capture their first two Stanley Cups in franchise history in 2012 and 2014.
“You don’t stay in one spot for as long as Dustin has if you don’t bring a lot of intangibles to the table. Certainly 300 is a goal that not a lot of people will reach,” Kings head coach Todd McLellan said.
This is season is very different for a multitude of reason and one noticeable things from games is the absent of fans in Staples Center and most arenas around the league to COVID19.
“You notice it more in the timeouts, once the game is on it was t too much of a difference. The only difference is when goals are scored,” Brown said about fans.
Ironically 11 years ago Brown scored his 100th career goal.
Brown joins an exclusive group of players to score 300 goals with the Kings, they include Luc Robitaille (557), Dave Taylor (431) Anze Kopitar (333), and Bernie Nicholls (327). Brown has shown no signs of slowing down and has a few years left in the tank, where he should finish his career with the Kings through 2022-23 season.
