Don’t look now, but the Kings seem to have found their rhythm, along with a formula for success most nights. Although they earned a 5-2 victory over the Blue Jackets on Saturday night, things didn’t start out looking so hot.
Coming off a loss to Vancouver at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, LA coach Jim Hiller likely would have preferred to see his club come out and dominate against Columbus. Instead, it was the visitors who jumped out to an early lead and took a 1-0 lead into intermission. That had to be a little concerning, as the Blue Jackets entered the night with a 5-1-1 record when scoring first.
Whatever Hiller said during the break worked, as the Kings looked like a different team over the final 40 minutes of regulation. They put up a pair of goals in the middle frame, beginning with another goal from defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. He also extended his career best point streak to four games.
Forwards Warren Foegele and Alex Laferriere continued their torrid pace, each potting a goal. In the latter’s case, it was his eighth even strength marker of the season. He continues to get it done during 5-on-5 play.
A Trevor Moore shorthanded goal and Brandt Clarke empty net power play goal (you read that right) rounded out the scoring.
Continuing their ‘formula’ that’s been a key contributor to LA earning points in six of their last eight games played — including five wins during that stretch — they were strong on the penalty kill (shutting down 2-of-3 Blue Jackets power plays), won the faceoff battle (winning 57% of the draws) and received timely saves in net.
Big Sammy: With Tanner Jeannot suspended for three games on Friday, the Kings needed to recall Sammy Helenius from AHL Ontario to round out their lineup, reuniting with Andre Lee. In picking up his first career assist, Helenius became the 51st skater in franchise history to record a point in his NHL debut and the 25th different skater to record a point in their debut aged 21 years of age or younger.
Line Changes: Kevin Fiala, who had recently been up top with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe was moved back to his usual spot alongside Phil Danault on the second line. Rookie Akil Thomas started on the top line before eventually being swapped with Trevor Lewis. Thus, Hiller continues to search for a winger to play with Kopitar and Kempe. Alex Turcotte seemed to have secured the role, yet he will be sidelined for at least one more game. Meanwhile, Foegele and Laferriere continue to play with Quinton Byfield, on what is arguably the team’s most consistently effective trio. Defensively, Gavrikov rejoined Mikey Anderson on the top pairing alongside Mikey Anderson. Jordan Spence was back on the third pair.
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