Kings eliminate the Canucks with 2-1 overtime win

VANCOUVER, Canada--Center Jarret Stoll scored on a shot from the left circle 4 minutes 27 seconds into overtime on Sunday, giving the Kings a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks and a five-game triumph in their first-round playoff series.

The Kings, seeded eighth and matched up agains the NHL’s top regular-season team, had not won a playoff series since 2001. They had a chance to win the series in four games but had to come back north of the border to Rogers Arena on Sunday, where they finished things on the strength of another fine goaltending performance by Jonathan Quick.

They will face the St. Louis Blues, who defeated the San Jose Sharks in five games, in the next round. The dates for second-round games have not been determined.

Stoll’s goal was assisted by Trevor Lewis.

PHOTOS: Kings vs. Canucks, Game 5

The Kings had the first two power plays of the game and couldn’t score, but the Canucks capitalized on the second of their two advantages to open the scoring and carry a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Kings killed the first penalty they took, called on Drew Doughty at 9:10, but the Canucks made them pay after Brad Richardson was penalized for roughing at 12:24.

Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis foiled Jeff Carter’s attempt to clear the puck, allowing twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin to work their magic. Daniel Sedin, who returned in Game 4 after missing nearly a month because of a concussion, had the puck deep on the right side and drew Quick’s attention in that direction. However, Daniel passed to Henrik, who had an open left side of the net to deposit his second goal of the series.

Although the Canucks began to dominate the period, the Kings had a chance to get even in the closing seconds. Canucks winger David Booth tried to pass the puck to teammate Kevin Bieksa but Kings center Anze Kopitar stepped in to intercept it and turned up ice on a breakaway. Schneider was ready, repelling the shot and preserving the Canucks’ lead.

Quick matched Schneider save for save in the second period and topped him on drama. Quick stopped two breakaways to keep the Kings within a goal through 40 minutes.

The first Vancouver breakaway was a wrist shot by Jannik Hansen after Kings defenseman Slava Voynov turned the puck over on his own blue line. About two minutes later, at 17:48, Quick thrust out his left leg to stop a breakaway attempt by Daniel Sedin.

Schneider’s best save was a deft glove grab on a close-in shot by Mike Richards just shy of 13 minutes into the period.

The Kings pulled even at 3:21 of the third period on a smart and well-executed offensive foray by Doughty. He came up the middle before gaining speed and going outside of the Canucks’ defense. He then threw the puck in front, where an unchecked Brad Richardson tapped it in.

Richardson, who had gotten a team-low 4:09 of ice time over the first two periods in addition to having taken a penalty, continued to be an offensive threat when he hit the post on a backhander almost midway through the third period, triggering gasps from fans who had become anxious about the tide having turned against the Canucks.

Both teams had some excellent scoring chances in overtime but Stoll ended it with a blistering shot.

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Kings eliminate the Canucks with 2-1 overtime win