Clarke scores in OT, Kings recover to defeat Islanders

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Brandt Clarke scored at 2:43 of overtime, and the Los Angeles Kings recovered to defeat the New York Islanders 3-2 at UBS Arena on Thursday.

Clarke took a drop pass from Adrian Kempe in the right circle and roofed a shot over the glove of Semyon Varlamov.

“We possessed the puck for like three minutes there, tired some guys out, forced them to make a change they probably don't want to make,” Clarke said. “And then we come in on an odd-man rush and it ends up with me with a good lane at the net. So, I was happy to bear down there.”

Artemi Panarin scored twice for the Kings (2-4-2), who have won two straight after losing their first six games to start the season. Darcy Kuemper made 41 saves.

“The first few periods we were chasing the game, and then I think just small adjustments in the third period and really shut them down,” Los Angeles coach Peter Laviolette said. “I think we only gave up maybe two chances in the third, none in the overtime. So, I think from a defensive standpoint we were able to seal them off and shut it down from what they were doing."

Victor Eklund and Matthew Schaefer scored for the Islanders (5-3-2), who extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2). Varlamov made 24 saves.

“I loved the first 40 minutes, and in the third they pushed back a little bit,” New York coach Peter DeBoer said. “But the first 40 minutes, I mean, despite the scoreboard, I really liked how we played. I’m trying to think what we could have done better. You have to give them credit, they're a good defensive team around their net. So, it was tough to get there, but I loved our resiliency in sticking with it, keeping the pressure on, and not getting frustrated. The penalty shot saved by 'Varly' was huge to keep us in that game, and it was a really important point for us against a tough team.”

Panarin gave the Kings a 1-0 lead at 5:51 of the first period. He scored on a rush from the right circle over the glove of Varlamov, who was cheating for a cross-ice pass.

Panarin then scored his second goal of the period following a scramble near the crease to make it 2-0 at 16:37. Panarin's initial shot from the left circle was blocked by Matthew Kessel, but the rebound popped right back to him and he beat Varlamov under his glove arm.

Panarin has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past two games.

“Even without those kind of points, I try every game (to make a difference),” Panarin said. “Every game I work, and then thanks to my partners. Our line, I feel, hasn’t looked bad these past couple of games. Yeah, just have to try and keep working.”

Kempe had a chance to extend the lead on a penalty shot after Schaefer hooked him on a breakaway at 10:59 of the second period, but Varlamov made the save with his right pad.

Eklund scored on a power play to cut the Islanders' deficit to 2-1 at 14:06. His one-timer from above the left circle trickled under the left pad of Kuemper.

The Islanders outshot the Kings 32-15 through two periods.

"Kuemper was phenomenal," Laviolette said. "I mean, the first two periods we gave up probably 20 attempts in the first two periods, 20 chances in the first two. If he wasn't as good as he was then it'd be a different story.”

Schaefer tied the game at 2-2 at 7:06 of the third period, skating into the right circle and beating Kuemper blocker side.

Kuemper kept the game tied with 57 seconds remaining in regulation when he denied Eklund with his right pad after Schaefer's shot produced a rebound.

“I thought we played a really good hockey game today,” Islanders captain Bo Horvat said. “Credit to their goalie, he played really well tonight. Varlamov made some great saves for us, too. For us, I thought we carried the play for a lot of that game. So, it was just one of those nights where we couldn't find the back of the net enough to get Varlamov the win."

NOTES: Varlamov started a game at UBS Arena for the first time since Nov. 25, 2024. ... Schaefer tied Bobby Orr (24) for the second-most goals by a teenage defenseman in NHL history. Phil Housley ranks first with 46. ... Kings forward Quinton Byfield, who was a game-time decision, did not play because of an upper-body injury.