The LA Kings tied a franchise record with 27 shots on goal in the opening period in Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
Cal Petersen made his first start between the pipes since December 6, earning just his second career shutout and his first since November 2018. The 27-year-old netminder stopped all 21 shots he faced and was not eased back into live-game action, with his first save coming on Pius Suter‘s breakaway in the first period.
“It’s been the longest I’ve gone in a season between games, and so that was a new challenge for me,” Petersen admitted following the game. “It was something I had to work through and find ways to get my mind right…I’m glad it worked out. The guys played a great game in front of me too, which really helped me out.”
Phillip Danault opened the scoring for the Kings nearly 6 1/2 minutes into the opening frame; his sixth goal of the year coming on a bang-bang play in front of the Red Wings’ net.
Less than three minutes later, Drew Doughty made it a 2-0 Kings lead, sniping a blast from the point. The goal was set up by Rasmus Kupari, who had a great zone entry and pulled up before finding a trailing Doughty for the one-timer.
💣💣💣 only from Drew Doughty. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/bQtQfzXOEF
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 9, 2022
The last time the Kings tallied 27 shots on goal in the first period was back in January 2010, oddly enough, against Detroit as well.
“Our first period was great. That was one of the best first periods we’ve played here,” Doughty said.
“A tremendous start – on our toes, getting to a lot of loose pucks, winning faceoffs, playing the way that we wanted to play,” added Kings head coach Todd McLellan.
Despite a slower pace in the second and third periods, Adrian Kempe tallied his team-leading 15th goal of the season in the middle frame, a shorthanded goal off a great stretch pass by Matt Roy.
The penalty kill was much better on Saturday than it has been in recent games, going two-for-two in that department.
Red Wings’ netminder Alex Nedeljkovic was pulled with five minutes remaining in regulation, and the Kings took advantage, with Trevor Moore potting his sixth goal of the season.
UP NEXT
LA Kings: Host New York Rangers on Monday
Detroit: At Anaheim on Sunday
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