Kings Defeat Blues in Overtime 2-1

The St. Louis Blues (31-27-7) and the Los Angeles Kings (32-20-9) matched for the final time this season in a three-game series. The Kings had recently acquired Andrei Kuzmenko and a seventh round pick in the 2025 Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a third round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and the Flyers retained 50% of Kuzmenko's salary. Joel Hofer led the Blues out while Darcy Kuemper was in goal for the Kings. With 14 home games remaining and 7 on the road for the 2024-25 season, it was a march for the playoffs. 

The Opening Faceoff

Kuzmenko made his debut with Los Angeles and was the first player to wear #96 in Kings' history. At puck drop, an intense rivalry was underway and 36 seconds in, Brayden Schenn fired a snap shot into Kuemper's net, but after a video review, officials waved off the goal. As the period slowly winded down, the Kings had 1 shot on goal compared to the Blues' 7 shots. At the 5:25 point, Anže Kopitar netted his fifteenth of the season and gave Los Angeles an early lead. 

Mid-Game Shift

The second period opened with a chaotic moment as Alex Laferriere lost his balance and crashed into Hofer's net, causing a delay and a 2-minute interference penalty. While the Blues couldn't capitalize on their power play, moments later, Vladislav Gavrikov extended Los Angeles's lead with a wrist shot. The Blues challenged Gavrikov's goal and after review, the officials ruled it as off-side. Tied 11-11 SOG (shots on goal), the third period promised action and mayhem. With the Kings up 1-0, the middle frame concluded, leaving St. Louis scrambling to break through. 

The Final Frenzy

It was a race to secure a win and two points in the closing twenty minutes of the game. Nick Leddy scored his first of the season at the 15:44 mark to tie the game, 1-1. Kuemper and Hofer had been strong in their respective nets, making key saves and keeping the score close. Despite numerous attempts, the puck refused to find the back of Hofer's net, which denied them the advantage. 

OT We Go (Again)

Once again, the Kings were locked in OT against the Blues and for the second time in the span of a week. Quinton Byfield delivered his second career game-winning goal in overtime as he found the top of the goaltender's net and snapped the Kings' losing streak.