Tag: Los Angeles Kings

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NHL (National Hockey League)

NHL recap: Kings score 5 unanswered goals, defeat Bruins

Los Angeles Kings (NHL)

The Los Angeles Kings scored five straight goals to break a 2-2 tie and secured a 7-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.

Seven different Kings players scored, with Drew Doughty starting the scoring spree at 8:46 of the second period. Quinton Byfield and Tanner Jeannot each had a goal and an assist, while Anze Kopitar, Warren Foegele, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Samuel Helenius also found the net. The Kings, who have won three in a row and eight of their last nine games, are now tied with Edmonton for second in the Pacific Division.

Brandt Clarke, Adrian Kempe, and Joel Edmundson each registered two assists, and Darcy Kuemper made 11 saves. Los Angeles is now 11-0-3 in their last 14 home games.

For Boston, Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie scored, while Jeremy Swayman allowed seven goals on 23 shots. The Bruins are on a six-game winless streak (0-5-1).

Sabres 5, Jets 3

Ryan McLeod scored once and added three assists, and James Reimer made 33 saves in Buffalo’s win over Winnipeg. McLeod’s four-point game was the first of his career. JJ Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tyson Kozak also scored, and Jacob Bernard-Docker had two assists for the Sabres, who ended a two-game losing streak.

Nino Niederreiter, Colin Miller, and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets, who had won four of their past five games. Eric Comrie made 12 saves.

Blackhawks 7, Flyers 4

Ryan Donato scored twice, and Tyler Bertuzzi had a goal and two assists as Chicago ended a seven-game losing streak with a victory over Philadelphia. Connor Bedard, Joe Veleno, and Pat Maroon each scored a goal and added an assist. Chicago had been struggling but broke through to score seven goals on 29 shots against Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov.

For Philadelphia, Travis Konecny and Jamie Drysdale each had a goal and an assist, while Travis Sanheim and Bobby Brink also scored. Spencer Knight made 24 saves for the Blackhawks.

Golden Knights 4, Lightning 2

Ilya Samsonov stopped 35 of 37 shots, leading Vegas to a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay. Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, Nicolas Roy, and Nicolas Hague scored for the Golden Knights, who extended their Pacific Division lead to five points.

Nick Paul and Nikita Kucherov scored for Tampa Bay, with Andrei Vasilevskiy making 26 saves. The Lightning now trail first-place Florida by four points in the Atlantic Division.

Jack Eichel is just three assists away from breaking the franchise record, fueling excitement among Golden Knights fans (Vegas Golden Knights)

Blues 4, Predators 1

Justin Faulk scored a goal and added an assist, while Robert Thomas earned three assists to help St. Louis defeat Nashville. Jordan Kyrou, Alexandre Texier, and Brayden Schenn also scored for the Blues, who extended their winning streak to six games. Jordan Binnington made 31 saves for St. Louis, which has gone 13-2-2 in their last 17 games and is now in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Filip Forsberg scored for Nashville, which has a 1-4-1 record in its last six games. Justus Annunen made 14 saves in the loss.

Panthers 4, Penguins 3 (SO)

Aleksander Barkov scored the winning goal in the shootout to lead Florida to a comeback win over Pittsburgh. Sam Reinhart scored twice, and Anton Lundell added the other goal for the Panthers, who won for the third time in their last seven games. Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves.

Bryan Rust had two goals and an assist, and Evgeni Malkin also scored for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby had two assists to extend his point streak to seven games. Tristan Jarry made 27 saves in the loss.

Hurricanes 5, Ducks 2

Taylor Hall scored a hat trick in the third period to lead Carolina to a win over Anaheim. Mark Jankowski and Jordan Martinook also scored for the Hurricanes, who bounced back from a loss to extend their lead over third-place New Jersey in the Metropolitan Division to 10 points. Frederik Andersen made 35 saves, including 19 in the third period.

Alex Killorn and Trevor Zegras scored for the Ducks, who have lost three of their last four games as they fight for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Lukas Dostal made 32 saves.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Lightning wrap up a hectic month with a game against the Kings in Tampa

Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)

As the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament and the upcoming break in February approach, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping for some stability as January wraps up.

After playing 15 games in 27 days, the Lightning will finish a difficult January on Thursday night with a home game against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Lightning have a record of 6-8-1 in January, and they’ve been struggling with a 1-4-0 record in their last five games. This includes a 2-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday and a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Because of this slide, the Lightning have dropped from third place in the Atlantic Division to the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Things are not looking good in downtown Tampa despite the team’s strong 15-7-1 record at home.

“There’s not a magic potion of what you’re going to say that makes anybody feel better,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “Guys are frustrated. Sometimes you have to let them breathe, take a breath and circle back tomorrow. We get to have a practice. I think we’ve had two in the whole month.”

The team was without their top goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (illness) for the game against Chicago, which was a must-win situation for Tampa Bay. Despite a 34-save performance from Chicago’s goalie Arvid Soderblom, Brayden Point scored his team-leading 28th goal with an assist from Nikita Kucherov, who reached 74 points in 47 games.

Los Angeles Kings (NHL)

Captain Victor Hedman will play his 1,100th game on Thursday.

The Kings, on the other hand, lost 3-0 to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, making them 0-2-1 on their five-game road trip.

However, Los Angeles received some good news when veteran defenseman Drew Doughty made his season debut. Doughty had missed the first 47 games of the season after breaking his left ankle in the preseason.

Doughty will help improve the Kings’ power play, which ranks 29th in the league, but Kings coach Jim Hiller is managing expectations for him as he works his way back.

“We want to keep the expectations realistic for him,” Hiller said. “It’s going to take a little time for him to get into form, but we’re happy. We’re starting the process. It has been a long time, but the guys have done a really good job in his absence.”

Jordan Spence, a defenseman from Australia, has been performing well lately, with four points (one goal and three assists) in his last six games.

Forward Adrian Kempe has been productive for the Kings, scoring seven goals this month.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan’s Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough

Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan's Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough
Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan's Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough (NHL)

Former Kings coach Todd McLellan has revitalized the Detroit Red Wings, leading them to a 10-4-1 record since his arrival. The Wings’ roster includes familiar faces such as former Kings goalie Cam Talbot and longtime rival Patrick Kane. Despite Kane’s absence due to injury, McLellan’s structured coaching and immediate impact were evident, highlighted by a shutout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His first practice sparked a turnaround, including a seven-game win streak that has reshaped the team’s season.

Improved Confidence and Defensive Play

Under McLellan and assistant Trent Yawney, the Red Wings have embraced a system emphasizing structure and puck support. Cam Talbot praised the team’s improved play in all zones, particularly in high-pressure moments like the penalty kill. The Wings have surged from a .441 points percentage to .700 and shown greater resilience, even with key players missing. Talbot’s stellar goaltending and the team’s collective confidence have been crucial to their recent success.

Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan's Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough
Red Wings Thrive Under McLellan’s Leadership as Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough (NHL)

Forward Marco Kasper highlighted the intensity of practices under McLellan, translating into improved game starts and consistent 60-minute efforts. The Wings have transformed their previously erratic play into a disciplined and competitive style. Kasper, benefiting from the new system, has seen a resurgence in his performance, tallying eight points in nine games. This renewed focus has solidified the Red Wings as a formidable opponent, even without veterans like Jeff Petry and Patrick Kane.

Kings Seek Offensive Breakthrough

The Los Angeles Kings have struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer goals in 14 recent losses and eight of their last nine games. Adrian Kempe and Alex Turcotte have provided limited scoring, while the team searches for greater consistency. Despite setbacks, including disallowed goals and injury challenges, Quinton Byfield’s late-game heroics secured a point against Columbus. The Kings aim to build on their offensive zone pressure and capitalize on opportunities against the Red Wings.

The Kings face the rejuvenated Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. With McLellan’s system firing on all cylinders, Detroit enters the matchup as a confident and cohesive unit. For the Kings, the game represents an opportunity to find offensive rhythm and convert strong analytical performances into tangible results. The clash promises a test of resilience and strategy as both teams look to solidify their positions in the playoff race.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns

Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns
Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns (NHL)

During the Los Angeles Kings’ seven-game road trip, Trevor Moore sustained an injury, leaving a void on the top forward line. Alex Turcotte, a talented prospect, stepped in to replace him. Turcotte initially excelled, tallying four points in his first three games with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. However, his performance has since declined, with only two points in the subsequent six games, and his ice time decreasing noticeably in recent matchups.

The Kopitar-Turcotte-Kempe line began with strong metrics, showcasing a 53.29% Corsi and favorable scoring chances. Despite these promising statistics, recent performances have faltered, highlighted by a weak outing against Tampa Bay, where they were outplayed and outshot. Their decline echoes similar struggles against teams like the New Jersey Devils, raising concerns about their consistency.

Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns
Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns (NHL)

Adjustments Needed for the Top Line

Head Coach Jim Hiller faces a dilemma with the line’s diminishing effectiveness. Turcotte’s earlier success suggests potential, but his current form indicates adjustments may be necessary. While Hiller has a track record of making impactful changes, the challenge lies in balancing Turcotte’s development with the team’s need for immediate results, particularly as Moore returns from injury.

Moore’s return adds a dynamic element to the Kings’ lineup. A 30-goal scorer, his reintegration could strengthen the roster. If paired with Quinton Byfield, Moore might create a formidable shutdown-counterattack line. Alternatively, his presence on the top line could shift Turcotte to a third-line role, providing versatility and depth for the Kings’ offensive strategy.

Turcotte’s potential move to the third line alongside Byfield and Warren Foegele could invigorate the Kings’ lineup. Such a line would combine elite speed, defensive reliability, and offensive potential. Though Turcotte’s removal from the top line might appear as a demotion, it could position him for sustained success in a more balanced role, away from the pressure of top-line matchups.

Phillip Danault’s line has remained a cornerstone of the Kings’ roster. Partnered with Alex Laferriere and Kevin Fiala, Danault has effectively managed defensive responsibilities while providing offensive support. However, Fiala’s defensive inconsistencies and Danault’s need to balance line chemistry present ongoing challenges. Despite these hurdles, this trio has been the Kings’ most consistent line, logging significant ice time together.

Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns
Kings Face Top Line Challenges Amid Injuries, Adjustments, and Defensive Concerns (NHL)

Kevin Fiala’s Struggles with Line Chemistry

Kevin Fiala, the Kings’ highest-paid forward, has struggled to find consistent chemistry with various linemates, including Kopitar and Byfield. While his offensive skill is undeniable, his defensive liabilities have been problematic. Pairing him with Danault has mitigated some issues, but his minus-10 rating highlights the need for improvement. For now, Fiala remains a key, albeit inconsistent, contributor.

Coach Hiller has shown adaptability in managing injuries and optimizing line combinations. With Turcotte and Moore both offering unique strengths—elite speed and defensive reliability, respectively—Hiller has a range of options to explore. Whether maintaining the current top line or experimenting with new configurations, Hiller’s decisions will be pivotal as the Kings navigate the season.

As the Kings continue their campaign, their depth and versatility stand out. The potential Moore-Byfield-Foegele line remains an enticing, unexplored option, while Turcotte’s adaptability adds further flexibility. While Fiala’s inconsistencies linger, the Kings’ ability to rotate players like Moore and Turcotte throughout the lineup ensures they can address challenges effectively. Coach Hiller’s strategic decisions will determine whether the Kings can capitalize on their roster’s strengths and maintain momentum.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Kings’ Home Win Streak Ends at 9 as Penguins Claim 5-1 Victory in Los Angeles

Kings center Alex Turcotte, left, reaches to defend against a shot on goal by Pittsburgh Penguins center Noel Acciari, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game

In a night that began with a heartfelt ceremony honoring first responders, the Los Angeles Kings were defeated 5-1 by the Pittsburgh Penguins at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, ending their nine-game home winning streak.

The Penguins were led by goals from Kevin Hayes, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Cody Glass, and Anthony Beauvillier. Hayes, Crosby, and Beauvillier also contributed assists, while Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 shots in the win.

Adrian Kempe scored the Kings’ only goal with a two-man advantage, while David Rittich made 27 saves in their first home loss since a 1-0 defeat to Buffalo on November 20.

Kings coach Jim Hiller expressed his disappointment with the performance, saying, “I can probably count only five times that I’ve been disappointed with our team this season. Tonight is one, maybe the most.” He mentioned that while the night was emotional, it should have motivated his team rather than hurt them.

The Kings lost consecutive games for the fifth time this season, with two of those losses coming in the past five games.

The Kings’ offensive struggles have been clear, as they’ve scored the fewest goals in the NHL since New Year’s Eve, with two or fewer goals in five of their seven games in 2025. Hiller did not want to label it as a slump just yet, saying, “I think it’s a little too early to say it’s a slump or say guys are squeezing, or those kinds of things.”

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) controls the puck away from Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) during the first period of an NHL hockey game

After the first period, the Kings were down by two goals, with Pittsburgh scoring four minutes apart at the 10:09 and 14:09 marks. Pittsburgh’s first goal came on a power play, where Hayes took advantage of a defensive lapse, skating past Trevor Lewis and Joel Edmundson before scoring off Edmundson’s stick.

Crosby doubled the lead with a deflected shot off Matt Grzelcyk’s point attempt that bounced past Rittich.

The Penguins’ third goal came in the second period, at 8:26, when a near giveaway by Kris Letang resulted in a quick three-pass play that ended with Malkin sweeping the puck past Rittich to make it 3-0.

Kempe gave the Kings some hope with a power-play goal at 15:05, scoring off a one-timer on a five-on-three advantage to make it 3-1. However, the Penguins quickly responded, with Glass redirecting Hayes’ pass into the net just three minutes later to restore the three-goal lead.

“It was definitely not our game tonight, from top to bottom,” said Kings captain Anže Kopitar. “We didn’t get anything going, and even when we did with the power-play goal, they came right back and scored the fourth one, which, obviously, turned out to be a big goal.”

Beauvillier sealed the Penguins’ victory with a goal at 13:03, knocking in the rebound from Letang’s shot, with Crosby providing the assist. That made it 5-1, securing the win for Pittsburgh.

Looking ahead, the Kings will host the Florida Panthers next before embarking on a five-game road trip. Kopitar summed up the team’s performance by saying, “We just weren’t good enough, that’s the bottom line. Top to bottom, left to right, the game was not there. We’ve got to make sure that our game is a lot sharper and a lot better on Wednesday.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Darcy Kuemper records shutout as Kings top Devils

Los Angeles Kings (NHL)

Darcy Kuemper stopped 33 shots to lead the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday afternoon.

Kuemper earned his second shutout of the season and 33rd career shutout, moving him into 12th place among active NHL goalies.

Andre Lee scored his first NHL goal, while Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe also found the net for the Kings, who have won three straight games and eight consecutive home games.

Jake Allen made 21 saves for the Devils, who have now lost three games in a row in regulation for the first time this season. New Jersey had just come off a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

The Kings allowed a season-high 15 shots in the first period but only gave up one goal, while taking nine shots of their own without scoring.

Lee, in his 19th NHL game, got the Kings on the board at 6:23 of the second period. He received a pass from Jordan Spence, fought off defenseman Brett Pesce, and scored with a shot off the crossbar to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead.

New Jersey Devils (NHL)

Timo Meier seemed to tie the game with a spinning shot from the slot, but the Kings challenged for goalie interference after Stefan Noesen collided with Kuemper. The review overturned the goal.

The Kings held the Devils to just six shots in the second period while only managing three of their own.

Byfield extended the Kings’ lead to 2-0 at 11:01 of the third period after coming out of the penalty box. He finished a pass from Phillip Danault with a shot that beat Allen.

The Devils pulled their goalie with about 4 1/2 minutes left, and Kempe sealed the win with an empty-net goal to make it 3-0 with 4:25 remaining.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Anze Kopitar and the Kings are gaining momentum ahead of their game against the Devils

Anze Kopitar (NHL)

Los Angeles Kings coach Jim Hiller has learned not to panic when things aren’t going well on the ice.

The Kings have proven they can quickly turn things around, which will be important when they face the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.

Last weekend, Los Angeles came from behind in the third period to win two home games. They first defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime on Saturday and then won 5-4 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

“I have a lot of trust and faith in the team that they can see it as much as you can see it,” Hiller said. “They’re playing it. They know this isn’t exactly the way it should be going, and it’s just a matter of getting everyone to gather themselves and take a breath. Sometimes it takes longer than others.”

The Kings’ recent comeback was led by 19-year veteran Anze Kopitar, who scored two third-period goals to beat the Flyers after Los Angeles was down by two goals with five minutes left in the second period.

Kopitar has 39 points in 36 games, recording double-digit point totals in every month so far this season.

“It doesn’t feel like I’m getting any younger,” said Kopitar, 37. “The season’s been going pretty well, but as I’ve said before, it’s always about the team. We’re plugging away, we’re racking up points, and I guess we’re in a pretty good spot right now.”

Hiller was especially impressed with Kopitar’s performance on Sunday, considering he spent much of Saturday defending Oilers star Connor McDavid.

“I didn’t think he had great legs the first two periods (against the Flyers), but it doesn’t matter. He is who he is,” Hiller said.

Anze Kopitar hits a goal in the 3rd period

“So you get him out there and good things happen. Both goals, a tip and then one right at the post, he goes to the net, he knows how to score.”

The Devils are coming off two straight regulation losses, something they hadn’t experienced since October.

New Jersey fought back from a 2-0 third-period deficit against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday but gave up the game-winning goal with 3:24 remaining, losing 3-2.

“Marky was great,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said about goalie Jacob Markstrom, who made 23 saves against Anaheim but will likely back up Jake Allen in the second game of this back-to-back set. “He deserved two points here (Tuesday), and he should be very upset with his teammates.”

The Devils began their six-game road trip with a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Keefe expected more from his team after two days of rest before their game against Anaheim.

“The chances we gave up were completely egregious,” he said. “You have no chance to win in the NHL playing like that. It was disgraceful.”

New Jersey faced the Kings on Dec. 12 and won 3-1 after scoring the final three goals. That victory ended a two-game losing streak (0-1-1) and marked the start of a stretch where the Devils won six of seven games, their best run of the season.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak

Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak
Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak

Quinton Byfield delivered the decisive blow in overtime, scoring his second goal of the game with just 1:41 left to give the Los Angeles Kings a thrilling 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Byfield’s wrist shot from the right circle handed the Kings a victory in their first regular-season meeting with the Oilers, who have eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. This win extended the Kings’ home streak to six games, while Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves in net.

Warren Foegele had a strong outing, contributing a goal and two assists, and Tanner Jeannot also scored for the Kings. Together with Byfield, Foegele and Jeannot combined for seven points and a plus-7 rating. The Kings revamped their roster in the offseason, acquiring Foegele and Jeannot to help match the Oilers’ physical play, which had been a factor in Los Angeles’ playoff exits. The additions paid off as they played a pivotal role in the victory.

Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak
Byfield’s Overtime Heroics Propel Kings Past Oilers 4-3, Snapping Edmonton’s Three-Game Win Streak

Edmonton’s offense saw contributions from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who scored a power-play goal, and Kasperi Kapanen and Viktor Arvidsson, who each found the back of the net. However, the Oilers’ three-game winning streak was snapped with the loss. Despite a solid performance from Stuart Skinner, who recorded 24 saves, Edmonton couldn’t hold onto a lead. The Oilers have been dominant when leading after two periods this season, but the loss dropped their record to 16-2-3 in such situations.

The turning point of the game came in overtime when Jeannot stole the puck from Evan Bouchard along the boards, allowing the Kings to gain possession. This shift drained Edmonton’s top players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who were forced to defend intensely before Byfield’s game-winner. Jeannot’s play in overtime exemplified the Kings’ physicality and their ability to wear down the Oilers’ key players.

McDavid and Draisaitl continued to impress with their point streaks. McDavid extended his to 10 games, marking his 16th point streak of 10 or more games, placing him second in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky. The Kings and Oilers were both back in action the next day, with Edmonton visiting Anaheim and Los Angeles hosting Philadelphia, setting the stage for more intense matchups.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Kings return home to take on hot Oilers

Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the past five and a half weeks. After the holiday break, they will look to continue their success when they play the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Back on Nov. 18, the Oilers were 9-8-2 after a 3-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. They bounced back the next night with a 5-2 win against the Ottawa Senators, starting their current 12-3-0 run. Most recently, they’ve won three straight games, including a 3-1 victory against the Senators on Sunday.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” goalie Stuart Skinner said after the win. “We’re finding ways to win games. We don’t want to lose two in a row, and we’ve been doing a pretty good job of that lately. I think the way we’ve been playing in all ends of the ice has been pretty consistent.”

Earlier in the season, the Oilers scored 2.63 goals per game and allowed 3.16 goals. Since Nov. 19, they’ve flipped the script, averaging 4.07 goals while allowing just 2.33 per game. Their special teams have also improved, with the power play rising from 16.3 percent efficiency to 28.2 percent and the penalty kill from 67.4 percent to 86.7 percent.

Zach Hyman has been a key part of the Oilers’ success. The 32-year-old has scored seven goals in a six-game streak and has 10 goals in nine games since returning from injury on Dec. 5.

Los Angeles Kings players react after a goal in the 2nd period

“When you’re feeling good, things are easier, things slow down,” he said. “When you’re not feeling good, everything seems fast. … So much of hockey and sports are results-driven. And when you’re not getting the results, you know that it’s about the process and about getting your looks and getting your chances and being around it.”

The Kings, on the other hand, are starting a five-game homestand after a tough road trip. They lost back-to-back games to end a seven-game trip that lasted 13 days.

Los Angeles has had some struggles lately, winning only two of their last six games (2-2-2), but they are just one point behind the Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division.

“It’s a pretty good trip,” coach Jim Hiller said. “We would have liked points out of (a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday), but the trip itself was good. We played some pretty good hockey.”

The Kings hope their strong home record can help them bounce back. They’ve been one of the best home teams, going 10-2-1 in 13 games, including five straight wins at home. Their last home loss came on Nov. 20 against Buffalo.

Defenseman Mikey Anderson has stepped up in the absence of Drew Doughty, playing a career-high 22:43 minutes per game, more than a minute higher than his previous best.

“What an engine and he’s really taking a step,” Hiller said. “We’ve talked about that more than once. He’s a really important player for us.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Devils End Kings’ Six-Game Streak with Hughes’ Goal, Two Assists, and Resilient Team Performance

Devils End Kings’ Six-Game Streak with Hughes’ Goal, Two Assists, and Resilient Team Performance
Devils End Kings’ Six-Game Streak with Hughes’ Goal, Two Assists, and Resilient Team Performance

The New Jersey Devils snapped the Los Angeles Kings’ six-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory, led by Jack Hughes, who scored the go-ahead goal and provided two assists. Hughes’ 12th goal of the season came with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period, giving the Devils their first lead. Ondrej Palat and Brett Pesce also contributed goals for New Jersey, which ended a three-game losing streak with the win.

The Kings initially took the lead late in the second period when Jordan Spence scored on a one-timer assisted by Alex Laferriere and Phillip Danault. However, the Devils quickly responded as Palat scored with just over a minute remaining in the same period, assisted by Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Pesce sealed the victory with his first goal as a Devil, coming with less than three minutes left in the game. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 12 saves for New Jersey, while David Rittich stopped 23 shots for Los Angeles.

Devils End Kings’ Six-Game Streak with Hughes’ Goal, Two Assists, and Resilient Team Performance
Devils End Kings’ Six-Game Streak with Hughes’ Goal, Two Assists, and Resilient Team Performance

Key moments in the game included Kings forward Alex Turcotte missing a penalty shot in the second period, which could have shifted momentum. The Devils, on the other hand, demonstrated resilience at home, improving their record to 8-6-3 at Prudential Center, while maintaining a strong 11-4-0 performance on the road. Hughes’ standout performance boosted his season tally to 38 points, trailing only Jesper Bratt’s 39 on the team leaderboard.

Looking ahead, the Devils will host the Chicago Blackhawks in their next game, while the Kings will visit the New York Rangers. This victory reaffirms the Devils’ potential as a balanced team with strong contributions from Hughes and others, while the Kings will look to regroup after a rare defensive lapse during their recent streak.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Penguins come from behind to defeat Kings in overtime

Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings

Rickard Rakell scored a wrist shot from the right point at 1:44 of overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.

Rakell also had an assist, while Evgeni Malkin and Matt Grzelcyk added goals. Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves for the Penguins, who were down by a goal with six minutes left in the game.

Adrian Kempe and Alex Turcotte scored for the Kings, with Vladislav Gavrikov adding two assists. Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves for Los Angeles, who have lost two of their last three games after a six-game winning streak.

Kempe gave the Kings a 1-0 lead just 33 seconds into the game, scoring his team-leading 16th goal of the season. Anze Kopitar passed the puck behind the Pittsburgh net to Kempe, who scored with a one-timer.

Kempe has now scored eight goals in his last four games against Pittsburgh. He scored three goals in two games against the Penguins last season and netted a career-high four goals in a 6-0 win against them on February 11, 2023.

Los Angeles Kings players reacts after a goal in the 2nd period

The Penguins tied the game 1-1 at 6:22 of the second period after Michael Bunting and Malkin broke away on a 2-on-1 rush. Bunting, playing in his 300th NHL game, passed the puck to Malkin, and the puck went under Kuemper’s pads and off the far post. Malkin appeared to deflect it slightly before it went off Kuemper’s skate and crossed the goal line.

The Kings regained the lead 2-1 at 11:38 of the second period. Gavrikov cleared the puck from his slot, and it bounced off the boards near the red line. Turcotte beat the Penguins to the puck, raced down the right side, and scored with a wrist shot from the edge of the circle.

After being stopped several times by Kuemper in the third period, Grzelcyk finally got one past him with a wrist shot from the left circle to tie the game 2-2 at 14:25 of the third period.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Kings carry on with their extended road trip against the struggling Penguins

Los Angeles Kings players reacts after a goal in the 2nd period

The Los Angeles Kings are midway through their longest road trip of the season, and they will look to keep playing their best hockey of 2024 when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.

The Kings have won seven of their last eight games, including a 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday.

This win came as a good recovery for Los Angeles after they lost 3-1 to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

“We wanted a bounce-back game and I feel like we did that, and as a team,” said Kings forward Quinton Byfield. “The Rangers are a good team, so we kind of just answered the bell. We all just want to have a bounce-back game and that’s how it happened.”

Byfield, Warren Foegele, Adrian Kempe, and Alex Turcotte each had a goal and an assist against the Rangers.

“When we’re playing direct and north, we create stuff for the team,” Turcotte said. “I felt that in the New Jersey game, we didn’t really get a chance to forecheck because we weren’t really playing north.”

Anze Kopitar also had two assists and kept his streak of not taking any minor penalties this season.

“I think it’s positioning, it’s an understanding of the game,” said Kings coach Jim Hiller. “He never retaliates, he doesn’t get too high, too low on anything. Whether he makes a good play or a bad play, he’s steady for the next shift. He doesn’t let his emotions get him off his game.”

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

Kings forward Trevor Moore got an upper-body injury against New Jersey and did not practice on Monday.

The Kings left for Pittsburgh after playing three teams from the New York area. They still have road games against Philadelphia, Nashville, and Washington before returning home right before Christmas.

The Penguins have lost three of their last five games (2-2-1), most recently falling 3-2 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

The loss was made worse because defenseman Marcus Pettersson left the game with a lower-body injury after being hit and crashing into the boards in the first period.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said on Monday that Pettersson will be out for a week or more. Tristan Jarry is expected to start in goal for the Penguins against the Kings.

Jarry, who was an All-Star in 2020 and 2022, has had a rough season and even spent part of November in the AHL. Among goalies with at least 10 appearances, he ranks 48th in the NHL with a .885 save percentage and 53rd with a 3.59 goals-against average.

Jarry was frustrated by the second goal he allowed against the Senators, a pass that hit a player’s skate and went into the net.

“I don’t know how you take that out of the game but I don’t think you should be allowed to stand there and let the guy shoot it off you,” Jarry said. “I think it’s almost impossible to stop. Like, he gets position on our player and he just parks himself at the back post and their guy just shoots it off him. It’s a tough play and I think it’s not part of hockey.”

Jarry has a 2-4-0 record in six career starts against the Kings with a .914 save percentage and a 3.16 GAA.

Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, who started in their most recent game, has a 4-4-1 record all-time against the Penguins with a .910 save percentage and a 3.08 GAA.