The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 thanks to a career debut goal by Andrei Loktionov early in the third period.
Loktionov was a fifth-round draft pick of Los Angeles in 2008 and made his presence felt at 3:19 into the third when he took custody of the puck behind the net on the right side and sent it gliding into the crease where it dodged the stick of Justin Peters and safely reached the net.
Ryan Smyth scored the first goal 5:43 into the first by using a rebound at the right side of the net. The lead was broken by the Hurricanes in less than two minutes as Chad LaRose hit a blast from the left circle in what was a tricky goal; it was later decided by the match officials by using replays.
Eric Stall took his team to a 2-1 lead with his classic shot from the right circle with just 2:14 left in the first. Just as the period was drawing to a close with 8.5 seconds left, Michal Handzus used a deflection to deposit the puck in the net and evened the game.
Jeff Skinner scored the third goal in the second and leveled the game after Kopitar took a 3-2 lead 6:58 into the second by using the left circle. The Hurricanes failed to sustain the lead and Loktionov clinched the victory for his team in the third.
Jonathan Bernier was the star goalie of the Kings by saving 27 shots, including all 15 he turned aside in the final period.
