On Super Bowl Sunday, the Kings came close to rewarding the fans who skipped the buffet to warm up for the big game with some NHL action.
The Kings fell to the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 at T-Mobile Arena, their fourth consecutive loss, albeit a step in the right direction.
The contest included a seesaw first period and the Kings showed significant improvements from their 5-2 loss at Vegas on Friday.
“One thing we never lack is character,” forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan said. “The other night we were sticking in there and fighting even though we were down by a few. It showed (today), being able to bounce back from that and make adjustments; obviously (it was) a much closer game.”
Each team made just one lineup change, a relative luxury for the shorthanded Kings. Lias Andersson drew in for injured winger Martin Frk and Vegas switched goalies.
Center Anze Kopitar and winger Adrian Kempe scored goals for the Kings. Anderson-Dolan netted his first career goal. Cal Petersen came up with 29 of a possible 33 saves.
Winger Reilly Smith and defenseman Zach Whitecloud tallied for Vegas. Center Chandler Stephenson accounted for the tying and go-ahead goals. Robin Lehner fended off 29 of 32 shots.
On Friday, the Kings were down 1-0 after 50 seconds. Sunday it was the Kings scoring in the first minute, on their first shot 36 seconds into the game.
Winger Alex Iafallo’s cross-ice pass found an active Kopitar in space on the right side. He zipped a wrist shot between Lehner’s pad and blocker. It marked the second time in 11 games that the Kings scored first.
Vegas knotted the game off an odd-man rush, an unwelcome sight for the Kings who were outnumbered in transition at least 10 times Sunday.
Just under six minutes into the game, a turnover and two quick passes, including one blue line to blue line dish, sprung Smith. He rifled a shot above Petersen’s bicep on the glove side.
Just over a minute later, Kempe reclaimed the Kings’ lead, on their second shot of the game. His sharp-angle shot caromed into the net off the armpit of Lehner. It was Kempe’s fourth goal, tying him with Dustin Brown for the team lead.
Twenty six seconds later, Whitecloud trailed the play and made no mistake firing the puck past Petersen to even the game.
The Golden Knights’ do-it-all winger, Mark Stone, drew two defenders to the wall in the neutral zone and dropped the puck for Stephenson, who gained momentum through center ice. His wrist shot became another glove-side goal and the Golden Knights’ first lead with 8:23 left in the first frame.
“The third (Vegas goal) was the one that was poorly played. But it was by a couple of relatively inexperienced players,” said Kings coach Todd McLellan, who described the goal as a back-breaker.
In the first eight minutes of the second period, both teams had power-play opportunities, near misses and alert saves.
The Kings got the equalizer in the ninth minute, at even strength and as their forecheck started to roll. Trevor Moore moved the puck from behind the goal to the net front, where Anderson-Dolan dropped to one knee and popped the puck over Lehner’s shoulder.
“The bench was really excited for him. It uplifted all of us,” said McLellan, who praised the rookie’s work ethic, penalty killing and five-on-five play.
The teams entered the third period tied on the scoreboard and separated by one shot on goal. Vegas, however, entered the third period with a power play on fresh ice.
With 23 seconds left on their man advantage, Vegas gained a 4-3 edge. A drop pass and some decisive movement backed the Kings up and Stephenson struck again, this time on a goal from in tight that glanced off the stick of Kings defenseman Kale Clague.
“The penalty kill has been outstanding, McLellan said. ‘They got one off a skate; sometimes special teams are a bounce here or a bounce there.”
The Kings earned a power play of their own and twice stormed Lehner’s cage, once forcing him to lose track of the puck in tight. They were aggressive throughout the game, racking up 10 shots on net across three power plays.
Petersen made two key saves at even strength and the Kings returned to the power play when Kopitar drew a penalty with 4:26 to play.
Their lone shot a man up was saved by Lehner, who also stood tall against the Kings’ final six-on-five push.
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Kings take step in right direction, but lose again to Golden Knights - LA Daily News
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