Rangers lose season opener in Sweden

STOCKHOLM -- Henrik Lundqvist's eagerly anticipated return home didn't have the storybook ending the Swedish fans, or the goaltender himself, had hoped for.

With Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the penalty box for tripping, Los Angeles defenseman Jack Johnson scored on a power play with 52 seconds remaining in overtime as the Kings beat the Rangers, 3-2, Friday night in their NHL opener at the Ericsson Globe.

"It was fun to be out there and play, just a little frustrating to not get the two points," Lundqvist said.

Two penalties, on Bryan Boyle with 2:03 left in the third period and on McDonagh in overtime, undercut the Rangers' chances and left coach John Tortorella miffed.

"It smacked us right in the face," he said. "I think we should feel good about our second and third periods, but to take a stupid one at the end of the third, kill that off, and take another stupid one in overtime, you're not going to win. Hopefully, you get a quick lesson here as far as our discipline is concerned."

The crowd chanted "Let's go Rangers" in support of their Swedish icon, and Lundqvist was sharp in the first period, allowing one goal on 13 shots while keeping the sluggish-looking Rangers in the contest.

"It was a pretty challenging first period and they came out flying," said Lundqvist, who denied 27 of 30 Kings shots. "For me personally, I felt pretty good. It is a challenge to be over here to play and there are a lot of emotions."

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In the first seven minutes, the Rangers killed off two power plays before a wide-open Anze Kopitar put the Kings on the board, burying a slick pass from Justin Williams past Lundqvist at 10:51 of the period. The goal came off a turnover by Rangers captain Ryan Callahan.

The Rangers tied it when Callahan's rocket beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick from a tough angle 3:31 later.

Marian Gaborik gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead midway through the third period, scoring off a pass from Brandon Dubinsky during a scramble in front of the Kings' net. Brad Richards was given the secondary assist, his first point as a Ranger.

Kings center Mike Richards tied it at 2-2, deflecting a well- placed pass by Brad Richardson past Lundqvist at 15:01 of the third.

In the final minute of regulation, both teams created excellent scoring opportunities, but clutch saves by Lundqvist and Quick sent the game to overtime.

Lundqvist is expected to start Saturday when the Rangers play again in Stockholm, this time against the Anaheim Ducks, who lost to Buffalo, 4-1, in Helsinki on Friday.

"We have to move on, but there were a lot of good things we can take from tonight," Lundqvist said. "Even after that tough start, we really bounced back with two good periods, and that's what we have to bring with us."