Iginla leads Kings past Predators in OT
LOS ANGELES -- Jarome Iginla scored two goals, including the game-winner during a 4-on-3 power play in overtime, to lift the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-2 victory against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at Staples Center.
The Predators were called for too many men on the ice with 2:24 left in overtime and Iginla scored with 1:16 on the clock.
Los Angeles pulled within a point of the idle St. Louis Blues for the second wild card out of the Western Conference.
The Kings (32-28-6) scored on their only two power plays of regulation, each time tying the score.
Iginla scored his first goal with the Kings since he was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on March 1, tying the score at 1-1 at 5:04 of the second period. Marian Gaborik scored at 10:55 of the third to make it 2-2.
Nashville rookie Kevin Fiala, who was a healthy scratch in a 4-3 shootout loss Tuesday at the Anaheim Ducks, gave Nashville a 2-1 lead with his eighth goal of the season 1:31 into the third period.
Iginla's first goal began when Los Angeles went on the power play after Mike Fisher was called for roughing Dustin Brown at 3:05 of the second. Gaborik and defenseman Alec Martinez had shots on goal before Paul LaDue passed to Gaborik between the circles and he touched-passed ahead to Iginla in front of the crease.
Iginla stopped the puck with his forehand, pulled it away from Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne with his backhand and swept it around the goalie to tie the score 1-1. It was the 620th career goal for Iginla and his 68th point in 68 career games against Nashville.
The Predators (32-24-11) took a 1-0 lead at 16:39 of the first period on the 14th goal of the season by Calle Jarnkrok.
The play began with James Neal leading the forecheck with hits on Anze Kopitar and Brayden McNabb. Nashville defenseman Roman Josi poked the puck off the stick of Gaborik along the boards and it slid between McNabb and Martinez. Jarnkrok was positioned in the low slot and he lifted the puck high in the net.
NOTES: Nashville D Ryan Ellis aggravated a knee injury during pre-game warmups and was a late scratch. Ellis, who missed Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks with the injury, scored in his return Tuesday in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Anaheim Ducks. ... Nashville C Vernon Fiddler did not play after injuring his hand blocking a shot in the third period against the Ducks. ... Predators C Colton Sissons and D Anthony Bitetto also returned to the lineup after serving as healthy scratches against the Ducks....Kings D Kevin Gravel was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game.