Aho scores in OT, Hurricanes recover to defeat Kings

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sebastian Aho scored at 1:25 of overtime, and the Carolina Hurricanes recovered from blowing a two-goal lead in the third period to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Lenovo Center on Sunday.

Seth Jarvis dropped a backhand pass to Aho, who skated into the offensive zone and beat Anton Forsberg with a wrist shot that redirected off Los Angeles forward Adrian Kempe’s stick and over the right pad from the high slot.

The win comes one day after the Hurricanes blew a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 overtime loss at the Washington Capitals.

“Yesterday’s game was not good enough,” Aho said. “So a good bounce back. It feels good to win this one at home.”

Aho has two overtime goals this season and 18 in the NHL.

“A little bit lucky,” Aho said. “I guess, a good thing always to shoot the puck. That was the case on that one too. I think it went off (Kempe's) stick and that kind of changed the direction, and we were able to sneak that one in.”

Jordan Staal and Alexander Nikishin scored, and Shayne Gostisbehere had two assists for the Hurricanes (34-15-6), who extended their point streak to eight games (6-0-2). Brandon Bussi made 11 saves.

“I thought we were playing a perfect game, exactly how we want to do it,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We had to be patient, but I thought we had the better looks. They got a couple, but I loved the way we kept playing.”

Samuel Helenius and Quinton Byfield scored for the Kings (23-17-14), who are 4-1-4 in their past nine games and finished a five-game road trip 3-1-1. Forsberg made 31 saves.

“It wasn’t maybe pretty the whole time, but we were there to fight,” Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller said. “We fought for every inch, they fought for every inch. Pretty good hockey in the end.”

Staal opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 6:25 of the first period. After winning the face-off in the left circle, Staal glided to the slot, where he redirected a pass from Andrei Svechnikov past Forsberg's blocker.

Bussi faced just eight shots through the first two periods, including a quick shot from Kempe low in the left circle.

“I think we did a great job of slowing down what they’re good at,” Bussi said. “They were a little opportunistic there in the third, but just overall, a great game for us. I think the team made my job pretty easy tonight.”

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty dove into the crease to deny Jarvis' backhander from in front at 18:34 of the second period, keeping it a one-goal game.

“It would have been more fun with the win and probably creating more opportunities in their zone,” Doughty said. “Say what you want about how they dominated us, but the boys played so hard tonight. We came back in the third, got a huge point. It’s the last game of a long trip. Obviously we want to have a win, but the effort was there."

Nikishin made it 2-0 at 12:57 of the third period. He intercepted Brandt Clarke’s clearing attempt and buried a snap shot from the slot that went in off the left post.

Helenius cut the deficit to 2-1 just 24 seconds later at 13:21, taking a cross-ice pass from Jeff Malott and scoring on a wrist shot from the right circle.

Byfield tied it 2-2 at 16:49. Kempe curled behind the net and fed a centering pass in front to Byfield, who tapped the puck past the right skate of Bussi.

NOTES: Aho is tied with Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand for the second-most overtime goals among all players since the 3-on-3 format was introduced in 2015-16 behind only Leon Draisaitl (20). ... Bussi (21-3-1) recorded his 21st career win and surpassed Andrew Hammond (20-1-2) and Bill Durnan (20-2-3) for the most wins by a goaltender through their first 25 career games in NHL history. ... Gostisbehere has six points (three goals, three assists) in a three-game point streak. ... Hurricanes forward William Carrier played his 500th NHL game. ... Kempe extended his point streak to seven games (five goals, four assists). ... Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson left 32 seconds into the first period with an upper-body injury after being hit into the boards by Carolina forward Jordan Martinook. He returned briefly in the first before leaving again and did not return.