Kopitar Leads Kings Past Jets 6-5 in Shootout Win

In a wild, back-and-forth game, the Los Angeles Kings were able to comeback and beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-5 in the shootout. 

The Kings started the game strong and were carrying most of the play in the first period.

But Jets star defensemen Josh Morrissey struck first. Stuffing the puck home after a scramble in front late in the period. 

Less than two minutes later, Morrissey extended the Jets lead to two. He was given far too much time and space in the offensive zone and wired a slap shot past Pheonix Copley. 

The period would end 2-0 in favor of the Jets. The Kings played a strong period overall, but two mental lapses in quick succession killed the Kings.

The Kings went onto an early power play just 20 seconds into the second period after Anze Kopitar drew a penalty from Neil Pionk.

Just six seconds into the power play, Kevin Fiala fired a pass over to Kopitar who one-timed the puck past Connor Hellebuyck to get the Kings on the board.

Kyle Connor would restore the Jets two goal lead six minutes later. He beat Copley with a nice shot from a bad angle, one Copley would want back.

Kopitar then got the Kings back into the game, scoring two goals just over a minute apart, securing a ten minute hat trick.

The lead didn't last long though. Kevin Stenlund put the Jets back in front just over a minute later.

Stenlund then got his second of the game late in the period, extending the Jets lead to three.

Early in the third period, Kopitar grabbed his fourth goal of the game. Blasting a slap shot past Hellebuyck, Kopitar's second career four goal game.

The game slowed down for most of the third, with the Jets trying to hunker down and defend their one goal lead.

The Kings were able to get their breakthrough with four minutes to go. Gabe Vilardi stripped a Jets defensemen just inside the zone and beat Hellebuyck with a nice shot short side to tie the game at five.

The game would go to overtime.

In overtime, the Kings had two big chances, a two-on-one for Phil Danault and Viktor Arvidsson. And a chance in front for Kopitar to get his fifth of the game. 

Hellebuyck turned both aside. Taking the game to a shootout.

Adrian Kempe was the loan scorer in the shootout. Going back to his usual five hole shot to great effect. 

After a shaky game, Copley stopped all three Jets shooters to earn himself the win.

It was a solid end to a tough road trip for the Kings, who will be back home Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.