Game 69: Los Angeles Kings vs. Boston Bruins
Notable: LA are 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Currently on a two-game winning streak.
Changes: Trevor Lewis will replace Trevor Moore on the second line.
Boston: 2-7-1 in their last ten games. Currently on a five-game losing streak.
LA is 10-0-3 in their last 13 games at Crypto.com arena.
WIth two points tonight, LA would overtake the Edmonton Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division.
1st Period
Blown coverage by LA and Elias Lindholm opens the scoring for his 13th goal of the year.
Anze Kopitar takes a pass from Kempe at the blue line and skates in a Swayman. One quick move to his backhand and we are tied 1-1 in LA. Kopitar's 18th goal of the season.
LA starting to get more extended o-zone time but still with just one shot on goal as we near the halfway mark of the 1st period.
HEAVY hit on Turcotte by Peeke.
2-on-1 for LA. Byfield gets a good shot off but Swayman makes the save.
Boston 9/13 on faceoffs so far tonight.
Foegele gets off a hard wrist shot but Swayman makes the stick save.
Andrei Kuzmenko has been very active in the offensive zone but still no showing much shot mentality.
With 5:02 remaining, Boston has five shots on goal and LA just three.
Great look for Gavrikov down from the blue line but Swayman makes the save. LA starting to generate more sustained o-zone time.
After a very sleepy start, the Kings are started to skate and looking to make dangerous plays.
Swayman with a huge save on Kempe on a stuff attempt from behind the net.!
GOAL! Warren Foegele on a nice feed from Danault for his 20th of the year. Foegele's 100th career NHL goal.
1st Period Recap: after a somnolent first five minutes, the Kings slowly began to put together sustained zone time, forcing Boston's Swayman to make some tough saves. The Kings were very opportunistic, scoring on two of eight shots on goal, whereas Boston managed to test Darcy Kuemper with just five shots.
2nd Period Underway!
LA has won 7 of 8 games since acquiring Andrei Kuzmenko at the trade deadline.
GOAL! Boston! Foegele is unable to clear the Kings' zone and Morgan Geekie ties it on his 25th goal of the year.
Boston still with only six shots all goal. Both Boston goals coming on egregious defensive lapses from LA.
GOAL! Drew Doughty on the rebound for his third goal of the season. 3-2 LA Kings.
Two-minute minor for tripping on Mikey Anderson. Boston goes on the power play.
LA kills off the penalty. Line of Helenius-Jeannot-Turcotte continue to have a physical presence.
Temperature is going up at Crypto. Darcy Kuemper skates out to center ice and tries to go with Swayman. Goalie fights? Gotta love it!
GOAL! Andrei Kuzmenko on a one-timer from Kempe. 4-2 LA with less than a minute to play in the second period.
SECOND PERIOD RECAP: LA in good shape to continue their home point streak at 14 games, leading Boston 4-2 after two period. LA has been opportunistic on 16 shots it what has been a "salty" game up to this point.
3rd Period Underway!
GOAL! Quinton Byfield in transition. Eight goals in his last ten. Byfield is on fire. 5-2 LA.
Offsetting minors and we are skating 4-4 for two minutes.
GOAL! 6-2 LA. Tanner Jeannot with a deflection to break this game open. LA getting goals from all four lines and that has to be a good sign for the playoffs.
With 5:35 remaining in the third period, LA has still has only allowed 13 shots on goal.
GOAL! Sammey Helenius with the 2nd goal of the season. 7-2 LA Kings.
7 different goals scorers for LA tonight. LA will impove to 25 -3-4 at home. Impressive victory from LA who set a franchise record for 14 straight points on home ice. 11-0-3.
NEXT UP: Los Angeles vs. New York Rangers, March 25th, 7:30 PST, Cypto.com Arena.
THREE STARS: 3rd star- Warren Foegele, 2nd Star- Adrian Kempe, 1st Star- Quinton Byfield
LA Kings: 32-21-9, 87 points, .630 points percentage, 2nd place in the Pacific Division.