Canucks 2, Kings 1
Brad Richardson scored with 1:23 left in regulation as host Vancouver halted a three-game winless drought (0-2-1) and staved off elimination from postseason contention.
Defenseman Alex Edler notched the tying goal early in the third period as the Canucks averted a five-game series sweep by Los Angeles to remain six points behind Dallas for the second wild card in the Western Conference. Rookie Eddie Lack turned aside 25 shots in his 18th consecutive start.
Blue-liner Slava Voynov scored the lone goal in the final minute of the second period for the Kings, who have lost three of four following a six-game winning streak. Jonathan Quick made 38 saves but lost for the eighth time in his last 10 starts in Vancouver.
A defensive lapse by the Canucks allowed Los Angeles to break the scoreless deadlock during a power play with 28 seconds left in the middle session. Three Vancouver defenders converged in the corner, leaving Voynov alone in the slot to beat Lack for his first tally since Nov. 14.
The Canucks got the equalizer on the power play 66 seconds into the third, when Daniel Sedin's pass through the crease caromed off the skate of Edler and into the net - a goal that was upheld upon video review. Vancouver dominated the period, pouring 20 shots on Quick, and the pressure finally paid off when former King Richardson scored for the third time in his last six games.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kings RW Marian Gaborik collected an assist on Voynov's goal to give him 699 career points, while C Jeff Carter reached 50 points for the fifth time in his career. ... Canucks captain Henrik Sedin, who returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous four games with a leg injury, collected his sixth point in his last five games. ... Los Angeles' Drew Doughty had his streak of 199 consecutive games played come to an end as he sat out the contest with an upper-body injury. Fellow D Matt Greene left the ice in the third period with his skate covered in blood but returned minutes later.