LOS ANGELES, California -- A three-goal lead after the first period wasn't enough for the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday as they allowed four unanswered goals in the final forty minutes of play and lost to the Los Angeles Kings, 4-3.
It was the ninth consecutive win for the Kings, a franchise record.
Alexander Frolov started the LA comeback at 9:16 of the second period. Detroit defender Brad Stuart sent a bad outlet pass from behind the Red Wings' goal straight into Kings' posession and Frolov drove to the net, banging a rebound past goalie Jimmy Howard.
A turnover by Howard led to the Kings' second goal with 5:13 left in the period. The puck came to the side of the Detroit net on a dump-in and Howard came out to play it. He couldn't control the puck and Michal Handzus raced it, swatting it into the net.
Just 1:34 later, Ryan Smyth tipped a the puck in from the front of the net to tie the game.
After the Red Wings controlled the first fifteen minutes of the third period without a goal, Los Angeles took the lead when Handzus cut across the top of the crease and put a shot around Howard with 2:11 remaining.
The Red Wings had opened the game's scoring at 8:44 of the first period, when Henrik Zetterberg took a centering pass from Pavel Datsyuk and tipped a shot into the open side of the Kings' net, past goaltender Jonathan Quick.
Just 16 seconds later, Valtteri Filppula put a shot on goal that deflected off of an LA defenseman and past Quick for a 2-0 lead.
Zetterberg added Detroit's third goal with five seconds remaining in the period, swatting a rebound chance over the sprawling Quick.
Neither team scored a power play goal in the game. Detroit had four tries with the extra attacker while Los Angeles had three.
Howard stopped 23 of 27 shots against. Quick made 20 saves on 23 Detroit chances.
Notes: The Red Wings lost Tomas Holmstrom to a bruised knee after the first period. Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller left the game after the second with ankle injuries after blocking shots.
I was going to post earlier about how today's Wings - Kings game could be the last time we see at least one Red Wing in the lineup... And then Ville Leino was traded before I got the chance.
Speaking of roster moves, Niklas Kronwall remains out, expected to make his second return from injury on Tuesday alongside Johan Franzen.
Jimmy Howard gets the start against a Los Angeles team riding a team-record eight-game winning streak.
Game time is an odd 4:00 PM.
I was going to post earlier about how today's Wings - Kings game could be the last time we see at least one Red Wing in the lineup... And then Ville Leino was traded before I got the chance.
Speaking of roster moves, Niklas Kronwall remains out, expected to make his second return from injury on Tuesday alongside Johan Franzen.
Jimmy Howard gets the start against a Los Angeles team riding a team-record eight-game winning streak.
Game time is an odd 4:00 PM.
I was going to go to this game hoawever, Kronner is out and the weather (rain) does not make for an easy trip on California highways. All I want is for us to go on a winng streak. 10 games would be nice...
Odd game time but much better than 10:30 tonight!
I was going to go to this game hoawever, Kronner is out and the weather (rain) does not make for an easy trip on California highways. All I want is for us to go on a winng streak. 10 games would be nice...
Much like southerners complaining about snow, I just have to shake my head when Californians complain about rain.
Lackluster power play to start things off, not good.
Wow, fantastic play to make that pass. Fake cleared just enough space.
Edit: Wasn't a fake, Datsyuk tried to make the initial pass but it was blocked. A bit fortunate.
Two goals in a matter of seconds. Wow.
Eaves now Detroit’s best PK specialist? I’m thinking so.
Very good kill considering they were out there the entire time
"Oh my f*cking god."
One of the Kings didn't like that call. 
Zata! That's why you hang around the net.
Is anyone surprised that a botched clearing attempt turned into a goal against?
Is anyone surprised that a botched clearing attempt turned into a goal against?
Things were going too well for it to not happen?
Hell of a chance there.
Well, Homer won't return today. Sweet.
What in the f*ck was that, Jimmy?
Jesus motherf*cking Christ, I hate this team sometimes.
Well, Homer's out, the Kings score a bunch, and Zata gets called for the same thing Brown did unpunished at the other end. Great f*cking period.
glad I missed most of that period.......jesus
Eaves gone? The Curse of Ville Leino.
Oh, it's not Eaves... it's Eaves *and* Miller.
If the Wings manage to get a point out of this clusterf*ck, I will laugh until I cry.
Motherf*cking post.
Why was Howard down that early?
You know... The only consistant thing about the Wings this season is their knack for blowing a perfectly good lead.
That was a painful game to watch right there. Bad blown lead, but the Kings are really showing their stuff by winning a game like that.
But still, the Kings won. AGAIN. I'm getting tired of them winning.
just a few more losses and i can stop watching the tragedy on ice.
Henrik Zetterberg takes a faceoff
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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