Kings allow late equalizer, lose to Blues in OT

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  • St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso, bottom, stops a shot under Kings right wing Dustin Brown during the first period of Friday night’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, left, collides with Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen gives up a goal on a shot from St. Louis Blues’ David Perron during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, bottom, collides with St. Louis Blues left wing Mackenzie MacEachern during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) pushes Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) against the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings center Blake Lizotte, right, falls down in front of St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) collides with Los Angeles Kings center Andreas Athanasiou (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: David Perron #57 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his power play goal with Ryan O’Reilly #90, Oskar Sundqvist #70 and Brayden Schenn #10, to take a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: David Perron #57 of the St. Louis Blues shoots and scores a power play goal in front of Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles King, to take a 1-0 lead, during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Zach Michael Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues chases a puck between Jeff Carter #77 and Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues looks to pass in front of Sean Walker #26 and Calvin Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Calvin Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save during the first period against the St. Louis Blues at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Dakota Joshua #54 of the St. Louis Blues skates after a shoot in next to Rasmus Kupari #89 of the Los Angeles Kings making his NHJL debut, during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Zach Michael Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues and Jeff Carter #77 of the Los Angeles Kings skate for the puck during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Ville Husso #35 of the St. Louis Blues watches a deflection attempt from Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Marco Scandella #6 of the St. Louis Blues holds Carl Grundstrom #91 of the Los Angeles Kings for a penalty during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Vince Dunn #29 of the St. Louis Blues bumps Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings off the puck during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Torey Krug #47 of the St. Louis Blues looks up ice as he is chased by Trevor Moore #12 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings looks up as he controls the puck in front of Niko Mikkola #77 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Rasmus Kupari #89 of the Los Angeles Kings and Kyle Clifford #13 of the St. Louis Blues chase after the puck during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Jeff Carter #77 of the Los Angeles Kings scores a goal past Ville Husso #35 of the St. Louis Blues, to tie the game 1-1, during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) scores past St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso (35) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter, center, celebrates his goal with Andreas Athanasiou (22) and Gabriel Vilardi (13) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Jeff Carter #77 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with Andreas Athanasiou #22 and Gabriel Vilardi #13, behind Ville Husso #35 of the St. Louis Blues, for a 1-1 tie, during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Ville Husso #35 of the St. Louis Blues looks up at the replay after a goal from Jeff Carter #77 of the Los Angeles Kings, to tie the game 1-1, during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube, top, signals from the bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen, left, stops a shot next to St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) scores past St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown, center, celebrates his goal with Alex Iafallo (19) and Anze Kopitar during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown, center, is hugged by teammates after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with the bench, to take a 2-1 lead over the St. Louis Blues, during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen stops a shot against the St. Louis Blues during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • St. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou (25) controls the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn (29) controls the puck in front of Los Angeles Kings center Blake Lizotte (46) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Torey Krug #47 of the St. Louis Blues and Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings collide as they follow the puck during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Cal Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings watches play behind Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Cal Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save on Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Cal Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save on Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Jordan Kyrou #25 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot in front of Mikey Anderson #44 of the Los Angeles Kings during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings watches the shot of Vince Dunn #29 of the St. Louis Blues next to Mackenzie MacEachern #28 during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • David Perron #57 of the St. Louis Blues shoots and scores to tie the game 2-2 with the Los Angeles Kings during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • St. Louis Blues left wing David Perron, bottom left, scores past Kings goaltender Cal Petersen to tie the score with 43.5 seconds left in the third period of Friday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Cal Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts after a goal from David Perron #57 of the St. Louis Blues, to tie the game 2-2, during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • St. Louis Blues left wing David Perron (57) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Mike Hoffman #68 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his game-winning goal with Torey Krug #47 during a 3-2 Blues overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Calvin Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings skates past the St. Louis Blues celebration during a 3-2 Blues overtime win at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan, top, looks up during the national anthem along with some of his players before an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Walter Gretzky is honored with a moment of silence before the game between the St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Walter Gretzky is honored with a moment of silence before the game between the St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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An overall sound, steady and structured effort went for naught Friday as the Kings blew a lead in the final minute and fell to the St. Louis Blues, 3-2, in overtime on Friday night at Staples Center.

It marked the third time this season that the Kings gave up a goal 6-on-5 with less than a minute to play – the other two were against Minnesota and San Jose – and all three late goals have led to overtime or shootout losses.

Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown scored for the Kings. Goalie Cal Petersen was flawless in regulation save for the first shot and second to last shot he faced. He made 19 saves.

“We take out minute 3 and minute 59, and you’re leaving the rink pretty happy with the group as a whole,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said.

Forward David Perron scored twice for the Blues and winger Mike Hoffman netted the overtime winner. St. Louis gave Jordan Binnington a rare night off as Finnish rookie Ville Husso got the nod in net and made 28 saves.

Young players like Kings center Gabe Vilardi and Blues winger Jordan Kyrou had their moments, but all four goal-scorers were veterans with a combined age of 135.

“I thought we played, actually, a really good game. We had a lot of really good chances,” Brown said. “We just didn’t find the back of the net as much as we’d like.”

In the extra frame, the Blues were set up in a 1-2-1 formation during a delayed penalty, moving the puck from the left wing to the top of the zone and then over to the right faceoff dot where Hoffman hammered home a one-timer for the win.

St. Louis forced overtime by scoring with just 43.5 seconds left in regulation, counterattacking as the Kings pressed for an empty-net goal. The Kings hustled back to even up the rush, but Perron caught the defense backing up, allowing him to pick his corner and loft the puck high to the short side for the equalizer. It was an NHL-leading seventh goal for St. Louis when it is playing 6-on-5, and it portended the Kings’ fourth consecutive loss since their six-game winning streak.

“To give a goal up late … I think it’s a good lesson for us as a group,” Brown said. “During the six-game winning streak, we squeaked out a couple games where the bounces went our way. You’re going to have to play a full 60 to get out of this little skid we’re in.”

For all the Kings’ unrewarded effort early in this game and late in their Wednesday loss to Arizona, they were compensated with a break early in the third period. They began the period on the power play and after Kopitar’s pass for Brown failed to connect it ended up going in off a skate as Brown spun to find the puck. It was Brown’s fifth goal in as many games against the Blues this season and sixth power-play goal overall in 2021.

“When we got back to the bench, we both kind of chuckled because as soon as I gave him the puck I think we both knew what was going to happen,” Brown said. “That’s the benefit of playing with one guy and clicking with a guy for the last whatever many years we’ve played together.”

Kopitar moved into a tie with Dave Taylor for third on the franchise’s career assists list. Kopitar and Brown have now played the most regular-season games together (1,067) of any two active players in the NHL. Blackhawks defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook had played 1,069 games together, but Seabrook retired Friday due to complications from three surgeries, one on his shoulder and one on each hip.

Five minutes into the final frame Adrian Kempe had a breakaway but was denied by the right pad of Husso.

In the second period, the Kings continued to control the flow of the game and limit St. Louis mostly to perimeter shots, many from their defensemen. But it took until nearly 17 minutes were off the clock for them to finally get on the board.

A counterattack with defenseman Tobias Bjornfot jumping into the play saw winger Andreas Athanasiou draw St. Louis’ transition defense into the center of the ice. He found Carter streaking ahead of the play, and Carter glided in on goal with a toe-drag move that led to him beating Husso with a backhand shot.

St. Louis scored a power-play on its first shot of the game. An untidy line change saddled the Kings with a penalty for too many men on the ice.

“The line that took the penalty wasn’t even on the ice yet, and that’s unacceptable,” said McLellan, who also rued his team’s ill-fated press for the empty-net goal before Perron tallied a second time.

On his first goal, Perron skated to the top of the zone to support the puck. He skated between the tops of the faceoff circles and flicked a wrist shot that appeared to be deflected slightly by Kings winger Alex Iafallo, fooling Petersen and putting the Kings down a goal. The Blues scored all three goals in their previous game on the power play as well.

From there, the Kings dominated possession and opportunity alike in the first period, out-shooting the Blues 12-6 with a Corsi-for percentage of 73, a Fenwick-for at 80 percent and all the scoring chances from the first goal forward. Still, they headed into the first intermission down, 1-0.

NOTES

Walter Gretzky, the father of “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky died on Thursday. The 82-year-old became the ultimate hockey dad and a revered, symbolic figure in his native Canada and beyond. … Former Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who guided them two Stanley Cups, agreed to become the coach of the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Sutter was Calgary’s general manager previously and also coached the Flames between 2002 and 2006, including reaching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2004. He hails from Viking, Alberta, about 230 miles north of Calgary. … Rasmus Kupari made his NHL debut on Friday. The 21-year-old Finnish forward, who was the team’s first-round pick (20th overall) in the NHL draft, centered the third line and registered a shot on goal and two hits, in addition to some solid checking and faceoff work. He was promoted from the Ontario Reign after scoring two goals and nine points in eight games. … Kopitar has four assists in the last three games and is tied for fifth in the league with 21. … The Kings have scored on the power play in three straight games and are 4 for 12 over that stretch.

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