Nick Schmaltz delivered a clutch overtime performance, scoring twice including the game-winner to lead Utah past Los Angeles 4-3. The victory keeps Utah in playoff position while the Kings continue to struggle in their postseason push.
Nick Schmaltz delivered when it mattered most, netting the decisive goal just 1 minute and 46 seconds into overtime as Utah defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Sunday evening in Salt Lake City.
The forward controlled a 2-on-1 rush into the attacking zone, elected to shoot rather than pass, and fired a wrist shot past goaltender Darcy Kuemper for his second tally of the night.
Lawson Crouse contributed a pair of goals plus one assist for Utah (37-28-6, 80 points), which has captured three victories in its last four contests and currently occupies the top wild-card position for Western Conference playoff qualification. Kevin Stenlund recorded two helpers while goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka turned aside 33 shots.
Quinton Byfield tallied once and added an assist for Los Angeles (28-25-17, 73 points), which has dropped three consecutive games and sits two points behind Nashville for the West’s second wild-card berth. Kuemper stopped 30 attempts between the pipes.
Los Angeles forward Artemi Panarin knotted the score at 3-3 with 3:30 remaining in regulation, extending his scoring streak to three games. Panarin carried the puck on a rush, momentarily lost possession but regained control, then fired from a difficult angle near the right boards that somehow slipped beneath Vejmelka’s left leg pad.
Crouse opened the scoring for Utah at the 7:04 mark of the opening frame. John Marino stripped the puck from Sam Helenius, circled behind the net and delivered a pass to Crouse in the slot, who converted with a quick wrist shot.
Alex Laferriere answered just 36 seconds afterward, carrying the puck on a 2-on-1 break and electing to shoot, beating Vejmelka with a snap shot from the right faceoff circle to even things at 1-1.
Crouse restored Utah’s advantage at 9:19, receiving a feed at the bottom of the left circle and lifting the puck up and over Kuemper into the upper portion of the goal for a 2-1 lead.
Byfield responded 28 seconds later to tie it again. After Vejmelka stopped Brandt Clarke’s long-range attempt but couldn’t secure the rebound, the goalie knocked the loose puck away only to have Byfield collect it and score from the left circle.
The middle period remained deadlocked until Schmaltz knocked home his own rebound at 16:11 following a scramble in front of the net, giving Utah a 3-2 advantage heading into the final frame.
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