Vancouver Canucks come 44 seconds short of defeating the Kings

Goalie Roberto Luongo turned in a stellar performance, but the Vancouver Canucks still came up short against the Los Angeles Kings, losing 3-2 in a shootout.

The Canucks led 1-0 after the first period on Zack Kassian's fourth goal. Alex Burrows then found the back of the net on a wrap-around at 4:05 of the second frame, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead.

But that was all the Canucks' popcorn offence could muster against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

A power-play goal by the Kings' Jeff Carter narrowed the lead later in the second period, and Slava Voynov tied the game on a screen shot that was tipped in with just 44 seconds left in regulation time.

The Canucks missed a chance to put the game away on two power plays in the third period.

The Kings outshot Vancouver 28-23 and won the game in the shootout when Carter lifted the puck above Luongo.

The Sedins were held off the scoresheet and were not chosen by coach Alain Vigneault for the shootout. In Vancouver's defence, it was their fourth game in six nights.

The Canucks have had one of the NHL's most fearsome power plays in recent years, but the loss of Sami Salo's booming slap shot from the point appears to be having a greater effect than management might have forecast.

Salo's replacement on the Canucks blueline, Jason Garrison, has been held off the scoresheet in six games this season.