Canadiens Rally Past the Kings 4-3 in Late Comeback
The Kings lost 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, March 7, 2026, after Montreal scored twice in the final minutes of the third period to complete the comeback. The defeat stings for a squad that held a lead late, surrendering a home result to a Canadiens group playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
Montreal entered the night having lost 6-5 in a shootout at Anaheim the previous evening, yet the Canadiens still found the energy to outwork the Kings down the stretch. Jakub Dobes stopped 36 shots for the visitors, a workload that reflects how consistently the home side generated pressure across 60 minutes.
How the Canadiens Erased the Deficit
Montreal clawed back by leaning on its top offensive pieces at the right moment. Juraj Slafkovsky recorded two goals and an assist, while Nick Suzuki added a goal and two assists, giving the pair a combined six points on the night. That kind of top-line output is difficult for any defense to absorb, and the Kings could not contain both players simultaneously in the closing minutes.
Jake Evans also scored for Montreal and extended his personal point streak to four games, totaling five points — two goals and three assists — during that run. Dobes’ 36-save effort suggests the home team controlled shot volume but struggled to convert high-danger chances when the game was tight. Los Angeles generated enough offense to win; finishing, not effort, was the gap.
Scott Laughton scored in his Kings debut, giving the home side a notable subplot on an otherwise frustrating evening. Laughton’s arrival adds depth to a forward group that has been searching for secondary scoring consistency throughout the second half of the season. Jared Wright recorded the primary assist on a Kings goal, earning his first NHL point in three games.
Anze Kopitar now sits three points away from tying Marcel Dionne for the club’s all-time franchise scoring record. Kopitar has accumulated 1,304 NHL points — 447 goals and 857 assists — over his career with the Los Angeles Kings. That pursuit adds a compelling individual thread to every remaining regular-season game.
Kopitar has been the franchise cornerstone for nearly two decades. Closing within three points of Dionne’s mark is a genuine milestone for both the player and the organization. Dionne spent 12 seasons in Los Angeles and set that record during an era when the club was still building its NHL identity. Kopitar surpassing it would rank among the defining moments in franchise history.
His production at an elite rate well into his mid-30s is a durability few centers in league history have matched. His pace over recent seasons suggests the record will fall before the playoffs begin, though the exact timeline depends on his continued health and available ice time.
Key Developments From Saturday’s Game
Juraj Slafkovsky scored twice and added an assist for three points in Montreal’s comeback win.
Nick Suzuki contributed a goal and two assists, giving him three points alongside Slafkovsky.
Jakub Dobes made 36 saves for Montreal, who were playing their second game in two nights after a shootout loss at Anaheim on Friday.
Scott Laughton scored in his debut after being acquired, giving the team’s newest addition an immediate impact moment.
Jared Wright recorded the primary assist on a Kings goal, earning his first NHL point in three games.
A home loss to a back-to-back opponent carries real weight in the playoff race. The Kings cannot afford to drop points to teams below them in the standings. Surrendering a third-period lead against a fatigued Montreal group will draw scrutiny from the coaching staff. Recent roster moves — including the Laughton addition — reflect a front office committed to a playoff push, making results like this one harder to absorb.
Artemi Panarin, acquired from the New York Rangers on Feb. 4, has posted six points — one goal and five assists — across six games since joining the club. That production rate from a top-six forward is exactly what the front office targeted when the deal was made, and his continued output gives the team a legitimate offensive weapon heading into the stretch run.
The defensive breakdown in the third period will be a priority in film review after conceding two late goals. The home team had the lead and the crowd, yet failed to protect the period. Whether that reflects a systemic issue in neutral-zone structure or simply two high-quality plays by Slafkovsky and Suzuki is a fair question the coaching staff will answer before the next puck drops.
Montreal improved to 34-18-10 with the victory, a record that keeps the Canadiens in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card conversation. For the Kings, the focus shifts immediately to their next opponent, with Kopitar’s record chase providing a reason to watch every shift.
What was the final score of the Kings vs. Canadiens game on March 7, 2026?
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 at Crypto.com Arena on March 7, 2026. Montreal scored twice late in the third period to complete the comeback. Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki each recorded three points in the win.
How close is Anze Kopitar to the franchise scoring record?
Anze Kopitar has 1,304 NHL points — 447 goals and 857 assists — and sits three points away from tying Marcel Dionne for the Los Angeles Kings’ all-time franchise scoring record. Dionne’s mark has stood as the benchmark for Kings scorers for decades.
Who is Scott Laughton and what did he do in his debut?
Scott Laughton scored in his debut with the Kings on March 7, 2026, after being acquired ahead of the NHL trade deadline. He provides forward depth for a club chasing a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
How has Artemi Panarin performed since joining the Kings?
Artemi Panarin has recorded six points — one goal and five assists — across six games since the Los Angeles Kings acquired him from the New York Rangers on Feb. 4, 2026. That pace makes him one of the team’s most productive forwards since the trade.
