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The Los Angeles Kings went 2-0-1 on their three-game road trip this week, falling to the Edmonton Oilers in a shootout, before defeating the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.
The Kings struck early against the Oilers on Wednesday, with Alex Edler getting a point shot through Mikko Koskinen only a few minutes into the game. However, the Oilers responded with a goal later in the frame from Cody Ceci and then a late tally from Leon Draisaitl, putting them up 2-1 after 40 minutes. Jesse Puljujarvi then made it a 3-1 game in the second period, burying a pass from Connor McDavid, but the Kings stormed back, with two goals in 14 seconds from Quinton Byfield and Carl Grundstrom quickly tying the game. It looked like Connor McDavid got the Oilers their lead back later in the frame, but the goal was called back due to goaltender interference and after neither team could break the tie in the rest of regulation or overtime, the game continued to a shootout. However, goals from Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid ended the shootout quickly, with Edmonton taking the extra point.
After a scoreless first period in Calgary on Thursday, Alex Iafallo gave Los Angeles a lead early in the second frame. The Kings remained on top until the third period, where Johnny Gaudreau buried a rebound on a power play to tie the game. Erik Gudbranson’s point shot then found a way through traffic later to put Calgary ahead, but the Kings responded about two minutes later, with Viktor Arvidsson burying a pass from Phillip Danault in front, sending the game to overtime. After nothing was solved in the extra frame for the second night in a row, Lias Andersson scored for the Kings in the shootout and Cal Petersen was perfect, leading to a 3-2 shootout win for Los Angeles.
Then last night, Los Angeles opened the scoring in Winnipeg, as Adrian Kempe went down ice to score shorthanded. The Jets responded quickly, with Nikolaj Ehlers scoring on a breakaway soon after, but Anze Koptiar got the Kings their lead back midway through the frame, scoring off a Jets turnover. It was a great start, with Los Angeles outshooting Winnipeg 19-6 in the first period. The Kings then extended the lead early in the second period, with Jordan Spence’s shot being tipped by Gabriel Vilardi before rebounding off Josh Morrissey and in, but Adam Lowry brought Winnipeg back within one later in the frame. The Jets pressed in the third period and had some power play opportunities, but the Kings hung on for a 3-2 win.
It was a really impressive stretch of games for the Kings this week, taking five of six possible points on the road while facing a pretty decent quality of competition. They also continue to battle through injuries, missing four regular forwards and playing with an inexperienced defense group.
The Kings outshot their opponent in each game as well, by a total margin of 111-88. Despite getting into penalty trouble yesterday, Los Angeles' penalty kill went 6-for-6 in the win and even given the time spent playing shorthanded, the Kings still generated 38 shots.
The game against Winnipeg also marked Anze Kopitar’s 1200th career NHL game, with Kopitar picking up a goal and an assist in the win.
Los Angeles now sits second in the Pacific Division in points percentage and fifth in the Western Conference with 11 games remaining. Their next matchup comes tomorrow at home against the Calgary Flames.
In other news, the Kings also announced that they’ve signed defenseman Kim Nousiainen to an entry-level contract.
The three-year deal will kick in next season and carries a $859,167 cap hit. Nousiainen scored nine goals and 27 points in 54 games in Finland’s top professional league this season and will finish the year with the AHL’s Ontario Reign.
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QuizWiz 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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