Milan Hejduk scored the lone goal in the shootout, giving the Colorado Avalanche a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings Monday night at Staples Center. Though they lost, the Kings picked up a point to remain in first place in the Pacific Division with 45 points. The Kings are 4-0-3 under new head coach Darryl Sutter, who has yet to lose in regulation with Los Angeles.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Kings outshoot the Avalanche 12-5, Dustin Brown gave Los Angeles the lead with his 10th goal of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. Ryan O`Reilly answered with the equalizer at 14:17 of the third period.
The Kings outshot Colorado 32-21 for the game. Semyon Varlamov saved 31 of 32 shots in the victory for the Avalanche, and stopped all three shots from the Kings in the shootout, from Brown, Kopitar, and Jarret Stoll.
The Kings have two days off before continuing their homestand with a Thursday night battle with the Phoenix Coyotes at Staples Center.
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