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With a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets today, the Los Angeles Kings have tied their franchise record for longest point streak at 11 games (9-0-2).
The Kings came out flying against the Jets today, going up early when Viktor Arvidsson picked up the puck off a faceoff and beat Connor Hellebuyck under two minutes in. The Kings dominated much of the first half of the frame, generating the first 10 shots of the contest within only about six minutes. The Jets did start pressing in the back half of the period to build some momentum, but couldn’t convert.
Los Angeles then struck again early in the second period, with Phillip Danault sliding the puck over to Alex Iafallo in-close on a power play, who buried it to extend the lead. Blake Lizotte did take a match penalty with about five minutes left in the second frame though, resulting in a long power play for Winnipeg. Despite a good effort on the penalty kill, Pierre-Luc Dubois managed to capitalize on a pass from Kyle Connor to score, cutting the Kings’ lead to one through 40 minutes.
However, Los Angeles responded in the first minute of the third period, with Drew Doughty putting a perfectly-placed shot on net from the point to reinstate the two-goal lead. After another good penalty kill late in the third, Arvidsson then buried an empty netter, as the Kings took a 4-1 win.
It’s difficult to find things to take issue with, the way Los Angeles has been playing (especially without Kevin Fiala for their entire homestand). They’ll close out the homestand tomorrow against the St. Louis Blues, with a chance to break a franchise record for longest point streak.
The Kings had an excellent start today, dominating the early stretch of the game. Even in the second frame, it was just the Lizotte penalty that had them on their heels, before they locked things down to force a pretty low-event third period. It was a really well-rounded effort, where they were the better team at even strength. A really good effort from the penalty kill also played a big factor though.
The Kings continue to really not give up much at even strength. Now through 10 games in March, the team has yet to even allow more than two goals in regulation in any game.
That said, Joonas Korpisalo has been great for the Kings. Mainly on the Jets’ power plays, Korpisalo was forced to make some really good saves and through five games with the team, he’s sitting at a .929 save percentage.
In other news, the team also signed Cole Krygier to a two-year, entry-level contract. The Kings acquired Krygier from the Florida Panthers last weekend, who had originally selected the defenseman in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft. This season, Krygier had 16 points in 38 games with Michigan State in the NCAA.
So as of now, the Kings are two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for top spot in the Pacific Division. Vegas will play their 73rd game of the season on the road against the Edmonton Oilers tonight though, which is pivotal. If Golden Knights lose, the Kings will have a game in hand to tie Vegas in the standings tomorrow night.
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