When the LA Kings touched down in Utah on Monday night for the opening of their 2024-25 preseason schedule, it would mark the sixth time in seven seasons they played a game in Salt Lake City. By default, that made them the most common NHL team to play at Delta Center — even though they were the road team.
For the newly anointed Utah Hockey Club, it was their home debut, after playing a neutral site game one night earlier in Iowa.
Boasting a record of 4-1 at Delta Center, LA and starter Erik Portillo had to quickly turn their attention to the new kids in town, as UTA FC fans proved to be a rather passionate group even before the opening faceoff.
Once the home team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, coming on two power play opportunities, the Kings found themselves with their backs against the wall early. Featuring a more veteran lineup than what coach Jim Hiller had to work with, Utah was able to largely shut down LA for the rest of the period, though not so quietly.
Depth players Jeff Malott and Jack Studnicka both squared off in separate fights, coming after back-to-back face-offs, as the period turned into more of a physical affair. Studnicka had previously made a power move to the net which caught Utah goaltender Connor Ingram up high and off his skates.
A little over six minutes after intermission, LA got on the board to cut the deficit in half due to Malott’s persistence. Crashing the net with speed, the 6-foot-4 forward was able to catch a rebound and snap it home convincingly.
Malott is coming off three straight 20-goal seasons with AHL Manitoba, along with an average of 68 penalty minutes. The 28-year-old is no stranger to the scoresheet nor the box. All things that the organization took into consideration when signing him as a depth move over the summer.
Minutes later, Alex Turcotte flipped a puck past Ingram on a 5-on-3 power play, converting a deceptive pass from Franky Pinelli to tie things up 2-2.
As planned before the game, Portillo finished his night after 40 minutes, making way for the debuting Carter George. Freshly drafted by LA this past June, the 18-year-old netminder shut the door over the final period of regulation and helped send the game to overtime.
After a tactically sound and scoreless third period, the contest turned to a short-lived 3-on-3 affair. Just seconds into the extra frame, George played the puck and when attempting to pass it to Brandt Clarke, a streaking Clayton Keller snuck behind the LA defenseman and intercepted the play. With remaining speed heading toward the net, the young Utah forward fired a crisp snapshot under the legs of George for the win.
LA will now look to rebound on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Bonus Hockey: As with most preseason games, both teams exercised a full shootout regardless of the score. Hometown favorite, Trevor Lewis — who served as one of three alternate captains for the night — was sent out first by Hiller.
George stopped the first two Utah shooters, then gave up goals to the next two.
Kings shooters vs Villalta
Lewis
Ward
Fagemo
Studnicka
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) September 24, 2024
Crease Crunchers: Portillo was a perfect 6-for-6 at even-strength shot attempts and 8-for-10 on the penalty kill. While allowing a pair of goals, Portillo also had several big stops just moments before each goal against. Meanwhile, George saw 20:16 of playing time and stopped 6-of-7 even strength shot attempts in his initial outing during NHL preseason. He was also the goalie of record during the shootout.
AHL vs NHL: It wasn’t a surprise to see Utah ice a lineup of their most popular and talented NHL players to open up their first game on home ice, and it was a welcome test for what was mostly an AHL-laden Kings team with seven probable NHL players, along with a pair of 2024 NHL Draft selections in Liam Greentree and George — both of whom are slated to be returned to their OHL clubs on Thursday.
Lee, Helenius, and Ward: As the tallest trio for either team, if this line didn’t turn heads while it was on the ice, then their size most likely did. Andre Lee (6-foot-5) recorded three shots on goal, while Sammy Helenius (6-foot-6) and Taylor Ward (6-foot-2) chipped in with two shots apiece. This was the highest SOG total from any line playing in the game.
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Lead photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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