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Kings honor Bob Miller, rally to beat Blackhawks 3-2

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Unable to make the playoffs this season, the Kings succeeded at prolonging venerated announcer Bob Miller’s final home broadcast and ushered him toward retirement with an emotional comeback victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Dustin Brown, who had handed the Stanley Cup to Miller after the team’s 2012 triumph, scored with 55 seconds left in regulation and Drew Doughty scored the winner 27 seconds into overtime Saturday to cap off the team’s tribute to Miller with a 3-2 victory. The 78-year-old Hall of Famer’s final call at Staples Center was as exultant as the final call made at Dodger Stadium by iconic Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, who ended a 67-year Hall of Fame career in September by describing a home run by Charlie Culberson that clinched the National League West title. The key difference is that the Dodgers went on to the playoffs and the Kings will go on to a long summer after they face the Ducks on Sunday at Anaheim in Miller’s final broadcast.

Dry-eyed but touched by the many video tributes played on the scoreboard featuring celebrities, colleagues, and current and former players, Miller couldn’t resist a rueful observation.

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“Maybe we should have started this night about 20 games ago and we’d be playing on Wednesday,” he said.

The Stanley Cup playoffs will start Wednesday without the Kings, who figure to undergo changes during the offseason. The change in the broadcast booth, though, might be the most painful for fans who have hung on Miller’s every word for 44 seasons.

They serenaded him with chants, honored him by holding up placards, and scrawled messages on a wall outside the arena.

“I didn’t know half of what was going on outside until I saw it on the TV monitors,” Miller said. “And I said, ‘That autograph wall, is that going to fit in the back of my SUV? I don’t think so.’

“But everybody did so much, the people behind the scenes here with the organization. It was a great honor for me.”

Players were aware of the occasion, and Anze Kopitar, who set up all three goals, admitted to looking up at the scoreboard to watch Scully’s heartfelt tribute to Miller. Doughty also felt the emotion and channeled it well, making a fine defensive play late in regulation before scoring the winner and improving the team’s home record to 23-16-2.

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“It was good to get a win,” Doughty said. “Even though we’re really playing for nothing right now we were still playing for a lot of pride. We have a lot of pride playing for this organization. And obviously Bob has been a big part of the organization for a long time, so to get a win for him and for the team and for the fans as well, it feels good.”

The Blackhawks, who previously clinched the top record in the West but played most of their regulars, took the lead on Jonathan Toews’ goal at 6:25 of the first period. Tyler Toffoli tied it during a third-period power play, which Miller saw as an omen because Toffoli wears No. 73 and Miller’s first Kings broadcast was in 1973, in a loss to the Blackhawks.

“There were things happening there,” Miller said.

Artemi Panarin regained the lead for Chicago at 13:53 of the third period but Brown brought the Kings even as the crowd roared and Miller pumped his fists. Doughty’s winner left Miller elated.

“It was perfect the way it happened,” Miller said. “It was great.”

helene.elliott@latimes.com

Follow Helene Elliott on Twitter @helenenothelen

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