Demko makes 38 saves in Canucks’ comeback shootout victory over Kings

Demko makes 38 saves in Canucks’ comeback shootout victory over Kings

Elias Pettersson had a power-play goal, Thatcher Demko made 38 saves and the Vancouver Canucks defeated the host Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in a shootout Saturday night.

Brock Boeser also scored in regulation for the Canucks, who have won six of seven. J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes each had two assists, and Demko saved a penalty shot by Adrian Kempe midway through the second period.

Miller and Andrei Kuzmenko converted in the shootout. Demko denied both Los Angeles attempts.

Carl Grundstrom and Alex Edler scored for the Kings, who earned one point and moved into a tie with Vegas for first place in the Pacific Division. Joonas Korpisalo made 15 saves.

Los Angeles hasn’t lost in regulation in its past nine games and is 12-2-3 since the All-Star break. But in the shootout, Gabe Vilardi fired over the net and Trevor Moore was stopped by Demko.

WATCH | Miller wins it for Vancouver:

Miller’s shootout winner gives Canucks victory over Kings

53 minutes ago

Duration 1:12

J. T. Miller’s shootout winner delivered a 3-2 win for Vancouver over Los Angeles Saturday night.

Pettersson buried a shot from the right circle seven seconds into Vancouver’s first power play of the night to tie it at 2 midway through the third period.

Grundstrom continued his excellent play on the fourth line to put the Kings up 2-1 late in the second when he used his skate to redirect Rasmus Kupari’s shot. The assist was the fifth point in eight games for Kupari since returning from a lower-body injury.

Edler, who holds the Canucks record for most points by a defenceman, factored in on both goals in the first. His stick struck Boeser’s shot and redirected it off the left post to put Vancouver up midway through the period, but Edler got his first goal against the Canucks with three minutes left to tie it at 1.

Korpisalo is 3-0-1 since being acquired from Columbus in a trade on Feb. 28. He has allowed eight goals in that span.

Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear returned after missing eight games because of a facial injury.