Thursday night at Cyrpto.com Arena, the LA Kings continued their dominance on home ice by defeating the Anaheim Ducks with a resounding offensive display and skating to a decisive victory. Fueled by multi-point performances from several players and special teams dominance at both ends, the Kings sent their rivals packing with a 6-1 win.
Quinton Byfield wasted no time igniting the crowd just 1:24 into the game, scoring on a five-forward power play, marking his 21st goal of the season — a new career high.
Tied 1-1 early in the second period, Anze Kopitar added another LA goal and they’d only pile on more as the game wore along. Kevin Fiala netted two goals, both on the power play (giving him the team lead in PPG with 12 this season). Alex Laferriere also found the back of the net following what appeared to be a high stick, but the goal stood after an unsuccessful coach’s challenge by Anaheim. For good measure, defenseman Jordan Spence scored the sixth goal midway through the third period, coming on what may have been the hardest shot he’s ever taken in a Kings uniform.
Laferriere’s goal was his 17th of the season. If either he or Trevor Moore (18) can find a way to reach the 20-goal mark, that would give LA six different players reaching that plateau — something that hasn’t happened since 1992-93.
Adrian Kempe – returning to the lineup after becoming a new father earlier in the week – dished out three assists, pushing his career totals to 34 points in 37 games against Anaheim. He now also holds a nine-game home points streak against the Ducks and has LA’s third highest points total in games involving the longtime rivals.
Darcy Kuemper has now pushed his streak to 15 games where he’s allowed two goals or fewer per game. He sits just one shy from tying the record set by Miikka Kiprusoff at 16.
Full highlights are available below.
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