Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, who both scored in the third period to tie the game beat Tim Thomas again in the shootout. Meanwhile, David Krejci and Miroslav Satan couldn't answer and beat Jonathan Quick (21 saves) for the Bruins.
Obviously this wasn't the way the Bruins wanted to end this road trip after leading by two goals headed to the final period, but they can salvage some satisfaction that they return home with three of a possible six points on a tough three-game west coast roadie.
Still, one of the main problems this season remains, a lack of a consistent 60-minute effort and failure to seize momentum (after a big win in San Jose), and has to be worrisome for Claude Julien and Peter Chiarelli. The Bruins collapsed in the third period and that just can't happen at this point in the season. Yes they lost another player to an injury in Marco Sturm and are still missing others but they did get that two-goal lead and they proved Thursday, they can still win, so why the collapse? This is a mental issue and not physical or lack of talent and bodies. Somehow, the Bruins need to correct this immediately or the playoffs are really in question.
The Bruins to their credit, did get some tough breaks from the referee and they also appear to have suffered another injury as Steve Begin left the game early, returned and then left again in the third never returning for overtime or the shootout. The beat goes on with injuries and more bad breaks will come but the Bruins need to to do what they did in San Jose and suck it up if they want to play in the playoffs.
End of overtime, 3-3: For the second straight game, the Bruins head to a shootout. Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas were the heroes Thursday night, who will step up today?
Thomas, with the exception of the first goal, has looked solid again with 31 saves.
Overtime, 1:08, 3-3: Jarret Stoll just got away with a hit from behind very similar to that of the one Mark Stuart was called for earlier.
Overtime, 2:39, 3-3: While Tim Thomas obviously wants those two third period goals back, he has played well overall and helped the Bruins earn at least a point.
Overtime, 4:13, 3-3: Undereway in overtime and we'll see if the Bruins can bounce back from blowing a two-goal lead.
End of regulation, 3-3: For the second straight game, the Bruins are headed for overtime. The Kings definitely have the momentum now but the Bruins can steal it back with the win in overtime.
Third period, 2:10, 3-3: We're in the final minutes here with the Bruins looking to grab at least a point after looking like they had two locked up.
Third period, 7:06, 3-3: Anze Kopitar has just tied the game for the Kings and after killing off two pairs of two-man advantages, the Bruins have unraveled quickly and blown a two-goal lead.
Wayne Simmonds and Brad Richardson get the helpers.
Third period, 9:28, Bruins 3-2: Dustin Brown was wide-open in front and just as I credited the Bruins defense for keeping Kings out of the crease area, both defenseman play the puck behind the net and leave Brown open in front for the goal.
Alexander Frolov and Michael Handzus get the helpers.
Third period, 11:20, Bruins 3-1: Tim Thomas looks good today but the Bruins defense also deserves some credit for clearing the puck out in front. There haven't been many rebound chances since the Kings' goal and the Bruins are giving them little room if any at all.
Third period, 15:14, Bruins 3-1: Michael Ryder is everywhere today and he must have been upset that he had that first goal taken away from him because he just hit the post. If Ryder can get hot over the second half of the season here, that would be huge for the Bruins offense.
Third period, 16:46, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins killed off a pair of two-man advantages and once again bails out their team after a parade of penalties.
Third period, 19:00, Bruins 3-1: Apparently Mark Stuart missed Derek Morris so much he got another penalty and is back in the penalty box with Morris.
Also, Blake Wheeler is now credited for the Bruins' second goal and not Michael Ryder. David Krejci gets the lone assist on that goal.
End of second period, Bruins 3-1: Thanks to some questionable calls by the referees, the Kings will start the final frame with a two-man advantage. But good period by the Bruins and great job of not whining too much about the non-stop calls against them.
Michael Ryder is alive! Ryder has been playing better as of late, being strong along the boards and it finally paid off with two goals in eleven seconds. That line as a whole right now is playing great with Blake Wheeler and David Krejci really hustling and they've proven that if healthy, they should be kept together.
Johnny Boychuk also deserves credit for some great passes and play bringing the puck out of the Bruins defensive zone.
Tim Thomas seems to have recovered nicely from a shaky goal in the first period and if the Bruins can kill off this two-man advantage, they should be in good shape.
Second period, :21.9, Bruins 3-1: When it rains it pours and it is pouring penalties on the Bruins right now as Derek Morris is sent off for hooking and the Kings have a two-man advantage.
Second period, 1:10, Bruins 3-1: Trent Whitfield is off to the sin-bin and the Bruins are shorthanded again after killing off that second LA power play.
Second period, 3:29, Bruins 3-1: Mark Stuart somehow is in the penalty box after being hit-from-behind by Jarret Stoll. Stuart retaliated and got caught but how does Stoll not get called? The Kings are 0-for-1 today.
Second period, 8:56, Bruins 3-1: Michael Ryder just broke a nine-game goal drought with two goals in eleven seconds and the Bruins are suddenly up by two goals.
Blake Wheeler gets the primary assists on both goals while David Krejci gets the secondary on the first Ryder goal and Johnny Boychuk gets his second helper on the second Ryder tally.
Ryder's two-goal strike is amazingly not the fastest ever as Jack Edwards just pointed out. Nels Stewart scored two in four seconds somehow with the Montreal Maroons.
Second period, 11:02, 1-1: Good penalty kill as always by the NHL's best PK unit and the Kings are 0-for-1.
Second period, 13:28, 1-1: Johnny Boychuk is headed to the sin bin for interference and the Kings are on their first power play today. The Bruins failed to convert on their first man advantage and are 0-for-1.
Second period, 15:42, 1-1: Sean O'Donnell a former Bruin, is off for hooking and the Bruins are going on their first power play today. They were 0-for-2 on Thursday night in San Jose.
Second period, 16:38, 1-1: Non-stop action to start the second period at the Staples Center. Keep an eye on Wayne Simmonds, a rising star in the mold of Milan Lucic.
End of first period, 1-1: Miroslav Satan is starting to look like another great low-risk pickup by Peter Chiarelli as he comes up with a big goal and helps the Bruins go to the dressing room tied at one.
The Bruins looked a bit on their heels for most of that period but they finished strong. Have to love the physical play in this one though and the continued presence of the fourth line.
Also, just a beautiful outlet pass by Johnny Boychuk to Milan Lucic who then fed Satan. The Bruins need more offense from their blue line and more strong first passes.
First period, 1:40, 1-1: The devil is in L.A. as Miroslav Satan just sniped a shot past Jonathan Quick. Satan took a beautiful feed from Milan Lucic, who took a good pass through the neutral zone from Johnny Boychuk.
First period, 5:17, Kings 1-0: Jonathan Quick just made a nice save for the Kings. Quick is a rising star right now, being named to the U.S. Olympic squad with 26 wins heading into this game.
The former UMass goalie has come a long way in a short time and has worked with former Bruins goalie Bill Ranford, the Kings goalie coach. Quick will be a factor today. Tough to beat with his size and positioning.
First period, 8:18, Kings 1-0: Jarret Stoll just poked in a weird goal to say the least, and the Kings are up 1-0. Not sure if Tim Thomas should be blamed or if that was simply unlucky.
Scott Parse shot in a hard-angle shot and it somehow started to just roll. Stoll tipped in the roller for the goal. Brad Richardson gets the other helper.
Shawn Thornton and Raitis Ivanans just did the tango as well.
First period, 11:06: Another tough break for the Bruins as they gain two players back in Mark Stuart and David Krejci but lose Marc Sturm.
But this team has shown such resiliency as of late. The fourth line in particular has been great and we'll see how they do against a fast Kings squad.
First period, 12:17: David Krejci looks pretty good in his first game back from an undisclosed injury.
First period, 17:11: Adam McQuaid just got in his second fight in three games and this kid like to throw them as he gets the best of Brandon Segal.
First period, 19:06: Under way at the Staples Center where another makeshift Bruins lineup tries to grab another two points in the final game of a three-game road trip.
4 p.m.: Both David Krejci and Mark Stuart will play this afternoon while Marco Sturm is sitting out with a leg injury. Dennis Wideman is a late scratch as well. Tim Thomas will get the nod in net for the second straight game after a 41-save performance in a 2-1 shootout win at San Jose Thursday night.
Here's today's lineup:
Forwards
Blake Wheeler–David Krejci–Michael Ryder
Daniel Paille–Mark Recchi–Miroslav Satan
Milan Lucic–Steve Begin–Byron Bitz
Vladimir Sobotka-Trent Whitfield–Shawn Thornton
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Adam McQuaid
Mark Stuart–Johnny Boychuck
Matt Hunwick–Derek Morris
Goaltenders
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
2:41 p.m.: According to the Globe, Mark Stuart is probable while David Krejci is questionable.
1:22 p.m.: The Bruins (23-16-7, 53 points) are in Los Angeles for the final game of their three-game west coast swing to face the Kings (26-18-3, 55 points) at the Staples Center.
Boston will be looking to close its road trip out on a positive note and take an impressive four out of a possible six points. The Bruins, who are playing without the likes of Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard, Andrew Ference and David Krejci, probably would have been very happy with a point in each game of this trip. But there seems to be a stronger resolve in this team after they beat the NHL's best team, the San Jose Sharks, and they will try to show that resolve again today at 4 p.m.
No word yet on Krejci (undisclosed injury) but there is a chance that Mark Stuart could return from a broken sternum and play for the first time since Dec. 14. He will be a gametime decision. If Stuart isn't in, here's what the Bruins lineup should look like:
Forwards
Blake Wheeler–Vladimir Sobotka–Michael Ryder
Marco Sturm–Mark Recchi–Miroslav Satan
Milan Lucic–Steve Begin–Byron Bitz
Daniel Paille–Trent Whitfield–Shawn Thornton
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Dennis Wideman
Adam McQuaid–Johnny Boychuck
Matt Hunwick–Derek Morris
Goaltenders
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
