Canucks launch playoff run with 4-2 loss to Kings

Dustin Penner scored the winning goal with 3:14 left in the third period as the underdog Los Angeles Kings upset the favoured Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in the opener of their Western Conference quarter-final series Wednesday night.

Los Angeles only secured a playoff berth with three games left in the regular season and entered the series as the clear underdog. Penner had gone the last nine games of the regular season without a goal.

The winger capitalized on a lucky bounce after a Mike Richards pass went off Jeff Carter's skate, and he whipped the puck past Canuck goaltender Roberto Luongo.

Mike Richards, former Canuck Willie Mitchell and Dustin Brown, into an empty net in the final minute, also scored for the Kings.

Alex Burrows and Alex Edler replied for the Canucks.

The Kings outshot the Canucks 39-26. Los Angeles converted two of seven power plays, while the Canucks were blanked on five.

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  Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin (33) looks on as Vancouver Canucks right wing Alex Burrows, not shown, scores on Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, April, 11, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

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  Fans cheer as the Vancouver Canucks come on to the ice prior to the first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action against the L.A. Kings at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, April, 11, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

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  Hockey fans try and touch Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (1) as he makes his way to the ice for a pre-game skate prior to first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action against the L.A. Kings at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, April, 11, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

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  Vancouver Canucks right wing Alex Burrows (14) celebrates his goal against the L.A. Kings with teammates defenseman Chris Tanev (8) and defenseman Alexander Edler (23) during first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, April, 11, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)