Ryan Sikes 
Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images
The LA Kings stayed red-hot on Monday night, with a 3-1 win over the first-place New York Rangers. The win was a good test for the Kings, who have struggled against the more physical teams in the league. However, after an early push from the Rangers, the Kings took over the game in the shots department eventually breaking through with two goals in the second period.
Trevor Moore was involved in both, collecting assists on Phillip Danault‘s goal just 55 seconds into the middle frame and Blake Lizotte‘s putback less than three minutes later.
Danault don't you know!!#GoKingsGo | @LAKings pic.twitter.com/CYuQmhB9nv
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) January 11, 2022
“I think two points are two points, but definitely it was a game that we were focused on. And, you know, it’s a big game for us to show that we can play with top teams in the league for sure,” Moore said of what it meant to beat a team like the Rangers.
The 26-year-old had a slow start to the season, but he now has eight points over the last six games.
“We have some responsibility for [Trevor Moore’s] lack of production, the coaching staff, because we played him everywhere,” Kings’ head coach Todd McLellan admitted after Monday’s game. “He was a center, he was a left-wing, he was a right-wing, he was on the top line, he was on the fourth line. He’s found a home there now on that Danault line, and he’s feeling comfortable there.
“They complement each other well, and he’s got some confidence – rewarded him with some power play time on that second unit. So he feels even better about himself. And I don’t know if he would tell you that, but I think finding a home on a line has been good for him. Jumping around all over the place is never good for anybody. But he was the one guy we trusted to do that.”
- The Kings have just one game remaining on their seven-game homestand, welcoming back Jeff Carter and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Carter will get a well-deserved tribute video before puck drop.
- The Penguins are likely to have Evgeni Malkin back for Thursday’s game, so that will be fun.
- Don’t look now – ok, go ahead – but the Kings are sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with two games in hand on both the Golden Knights and Ducks, who are one and two in the standings, respectively.
“It doesn’t matter who we play against, we have a chance, and the guys are believing that now. It doesn’t guarantee us a win, but it gives us a better chance,” McLellan said of his team.
- Straight from NHL Public Relations – Viktor Arvidsson (0-1—1) collected an assist on the Kings’ game-winning goal to help Los Angeles improve its record against Eastern Conference teams to 12-4-1, which marks the most wins by any Western Conference team against a club in the east this season.
- Cal Petersen made back-to-back starts following up on his 4-0 shutout on Saturday. He stopped 22-of-23 shots against the Rangers including a point-blank chance for New York within the first 30 seconds of the game.
- Adrian Kempe‘s empty netter last night tied a career-high 16 goals with 46 remaining on the schedule.
Goal, Kings! It's Kempe! From the top of the left circle in his own zone, he fires it down into the empty net. 3-1, Kings. 58 seconds left and the Rangers net is empty again. #GoKingsGo
— Hockey Royalty (@Hockey_Royalty) January 11, 2022
- The 25-year-old is in a contract year and should get a well-deserved extension.