Martinez scores in OT as Kings top Stars for 1st win
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[October 21, 2016]
DALLAS -- After an 0-3 start,
the Los Angeles Kings hit the ice at American Airlines Center
Thursday night with a sense of urgency. And thanks to Alec Martinez
scoring the game-winner 1:20 into overtime, the Kings left town with
a 4-3 victory against the Dallas Stars.
Martinez ended the game with a wrist shot from the slot, which
landed just inside the near post. After a brief review to determine
whether Tanner Pearson had interfered with Stars goaltender Kari
Lehtonen, who stopped 35 of 39 shots in a losing effort, the goal
was deemed valid.
"It was just a breakout," Martinez said of his game-winner. "Those
other two guys (Pearson and Toffoli) worked it up the ice. (Toffoli)
made a really good play to me in the slot. I believe (Pearson) was
in front with a good screen. I was really just a beneficiary of all
that."
However, one person Martinez's clinching goal didn't agree with was
Stars coach Lindy Ruff.
"I think it's a terrible call at the end of the game. I thought our
goaltender was interfered with, I thought he was elbowed in the head
before the puck went in the net," Ruff said. "(It's) terrible.
Somebody is going to have to explain to me why that goal counts. I
want an explanation."
Jeff Carter and Pearson each had a goal and an assist for the Kings
(1-3-0), who also got a goal from Nic Dowd. Petr Budaj stopped 17 of
20 shots.
Jason Spezza had a goal and an assist and Tyler Seguin two assists
for Dallas (2-1-1), which also got goals from Jamie Benn and Radek
Faksa. Spezza forced overtime with 2:07 remaining in regulation with
wrist shot from the left circle which beat Budaj top shelf on his
short side. Dallas had an extra attacker after Lehtonen left the ice
with 2:40 remaining.
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The Stars lost two forwards to injury in the game -- Patrick Eaves
and Patrick Sharp -- both in the second period. Eaves sustained a
lower-body injury late in the middle frame and did not return for
the third period.
Sharp was experiencing concussion-like symptoms after the Kings
Brayden McNabb sent him head-first into the boards 3:34 into the
second period. Sharp did not return to the ice after going through
the NHL's concussion protocol.
"Sharp, he'll be out," Ruff said. "I don't know what the timeframe
is. Eaves will be evaluated (Friday) morning. He took a shot, and
couldn't finish the game either."
Los Angeles struck first when Dowd scored with the Kings on the
power play 8:18 into the game. After Tom Gilbert fed him the puck,
Dowd maneuvered out of the edge of the left circle, drawing out
Lehtonen and Dowd finished with a wrist shot from the slot inside
the near post.
And even though his Kings found the win column for the first time
this season, Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter didn't see much
different in this game, other than the outcome.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/102116pics/sports76.jpg)
Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) scores a goal as left wing
Tanner Pearson (70) watches against Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza
(90) in overtime at American Airlines Center. Los Angeles won 4-3 in
overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
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"That's pretty much the way we played for other than one period this
season except (tonight) we got a break to win," Sutter said.
Dallas tied it with 8:20 remaining in the first period when Faksa
beat Budaj with a wrist shot from the right circle. Budaj was
attempting to clear the puck from the Kings zone when it deflected
off Spezza, who then fed Faksa for the equalizer.
Los Angeles regained its lead when Carter scored on a wrist shot
from the high slot 1:24 into the second period. Carter's precision
strike beat Lehtonen far post, sailing in over his glove and making
it 2-1.
The Stars got even five minutes into the middle frame when Benn
converted with Dallas on the power play. Benn beat Budaj top shelf
on his short side with a wrist shot from the left circle which
sailed under the crossbar before hitting the top right corner of the
Kings net.
Los Angeles took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission after
Pearson scored with 26.7 seconds remaining in the second. Lehtonen
denied Pearson's initial attempt with a pad save, but Pearson
slipped the puck inside the near post to make it 3-2.
NOTES: The Kings scratched D Matt Greene, C Jordan Nolan and RW
Teddy Purcell. ... The Stars scratched D Jordie Benn, RW Jiri Hudler
(flu) and D Patrik Nemeth. ... Kings G Petr Budaj made his first
start of the season. The start, the 267th of Budaj's career, was his
first since Feb. 12, 2016 at the New York Rangers. ... Stars G Kari
Lehtonen was making his second start of the season. ... Los Angeles
concluded a two-game road trip. The Kings lost 6-3 at Minnesota on
Tuesday. ... Dallas began a three-game homestand. ... The Kings and
Stars were Pacific Division rivals for 14 seasons from 1998-2013.
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