Russell Morgan 
The LA Kings took care of business on Tuesday night by beating their crosstown rival Anaheim Ducks 4-1.
Goal Breakdown
1st period:
No goals
2nd period:
LAK: Drew Doughty PPG (2), ASST: Anze Kopitar (19), Adrian Kempe (9)
ANA: Frank Vatrano PPG (6), ASST: Kevin Shattenkirk (9), Jakob Silfverberg
LAK: Alex Iafallo (3), ASST: Philip Danault (14), Trevor Moore (12)
3rd period:
LAK: Viktor Arvidsson (9), ASST: Arthur Kaliyev (10), Blake Lizotte (7)
LAK: Kevin Fiala (10), ASST: Adrian Kempe (10)
Getting the job done
Last week, the LA Kings finished their recent six-game road trip with a dramatic comeback over the Boston Bruins. For any other team, it would’ve jolted a fanbase into excitement. But for the Kings, it only reminded their passionate following of the many highs and lows they’ve experienced during the 2022-23 NHL season.
With inconsistency as the running theme in LA, coming back home to play two games against the lowly San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks gave them a prime opportunity to find some momentum, and they did just that.
Fiala filth
There aren’t many players in the NHL that can do what Kevin Fiala did last night for the LA Kings. When was the last time you saw a player wearing the silver and black on ice score a goal like he did in the third period of yesterday’s game?
Fiala filth.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/oEYM05ia7U
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) December 21, 2022
He’s been better than advertised in his first season with LA. Fiala exhibits elite-level speed, agility, and power on a nightly basis. And all those skills were put on display with this goal.
Copley’s calm presence
The biggest issue facing the LA Kings through the early part of the season was goaltending. Whether it was Jonathan Quick or Cal Petersen the team couldn’t figure out how to play in front of them. Maybe it was the constant worry of whether their goaltender would make a save if presented to them, but the calming presence of Pheonix Copley has seemed to resonate throughout the team.
Copley doesn’t necessarily exude confidence with his words but with his play style. That confidence is starting to show up and down the lineup.
UP NEXT: The Kings are back home Thursday night against the Calgary Flames.
Featured image: (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)