Photo Credit: Axs.com
The last of the non-televised preseason games, the LA Kings topped the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday 4-3, despite having a significantly younger lineup than their counterpart.
First, the box score.
Full box score here.
A few quick notes:
- The Kings were outshot 19-3 in the first period but responded well in the second
- It was good to see the Kings convert on a powerplay, Lias Andersson on the final Los Angeles goal of the evening
- Faceoffs – you’d like to see a much better showing
- How about Jordan Spence tallying the first goal for the Kings?
- As noted, it was all Kings in the second period. After the Spence goal, Kale Clague and Austin Wagner scored just 27 seconds apart.
- A strong preseason debut from Jonathan Quick, who might still have something to say about Cal Petersen being the No. 1 goaltender
Tonight’s @LAKings Lines –
Tkachev – Vilardi – Iafallo
Pinelli – Byfield – Andersson
Wagner – Lizotte – Madden
Sodergran – Dudas – DotyBjornfot – Spence
Wolanin – Roy
Clague – StrandQuick
Sparks— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) September 29, 2021
#SJSharks lines vs Los Angeles
Dahlen-Couture-Meier
Eklund-Hertl-Balcers
Gregor-Bonino-Blichfeld
Cogliano-Weatherby-Chmelevski
Ferraro-Burns
Hatakka-Karlsson
Vlasic-Merkley
Reimer
Melnichuk— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) September 29, 2021
Todd McLellan on the Kings first period woes
I thought we learned a lesson early. We didn’t play aggressively, played on our heels a little bit – probably too much respect for the lineup that they iced. Once we figured some things out and changed the way our mindset was, we were a pretty good team after that.
End of the first period.
1-0 SJ
Shots
LAK – 3
SJ – 19Kings will carry a power play into the second as Burns goes off for tripping with one second left in the period.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
Jordan Spence!!
1-1#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
Garret Sparks is now between the pipes for the Kings. 22-of-23 for Jonathan Quick tonight, heck of a debut.
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) September 29, 2021
Todd McLellan on Jonathan Quick’s preseason debut
Yes, very good for him. It’s exciting to see him that sharp. The game came at him right away, and he was tested a lot. He had some difficult saves, and I thought he managed the game a little bit for us. That’s where his experience came in. He brought us some whistles when we needed them. I’m happy for him and his start.
Kings 🚨
2-1 LA
Clague off a feed from Tkachev.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
Kings 🚨
3-1 LA
Wagner with 17 seconds left in the period.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
Kings xGF% by period:
1st: 6.45%
2nd: 64.73%Quite a turnaround.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
Kings PPG 🚨
4-1 LA
Andersson puts the Kings up by three.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
Burns scores for SJ to make it 4-2 LA.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
You just knew Jacob Doty would get a fight tonight. As tough as they come. He squares off with Mario Ferraro. Both get 5 for fighting, and 10-minute misconducts.
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) September 29, 2021
Kings win 4-3!
Nice effort from the younger LA players against the SJ veterans.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 29, 2021
The Kings’ next preseason game will be against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday at 7 pm PT.
The game will be televised on TNT and will be played in Salt Lake City, Utah.