The Los Angeles Kings faced off against the Vancouver Canucks Thursday night with a plethora of injuries to their roster. At the end of their road trip, a two-point game was something they needed but would be challenging to attain.
The Kings responded to the two 4-2 losses to start the trip with a phenomenal 5-1 victory against the division-leading, but struggling of-late Canucks.
Anze Kopitar had an excellent bounce-back game, with his recent scoring woes looking in the rearview with a fantastic one-timer goal that ended up being the game-winner.
Kevin Fiala added another three-point game, giving him the team lead in points.
Drew Doughty continues to have one of the most productive seasons of his career, opening the scoring with a blast from the top of the zone. Doughty's goal was his fourteenth of the year, and he will almost certainly tie or break his career season high of 16.
Alex Turcotte looked great, given the opportunity.
With Adrian Kempe now listed as week-to-week per Darren Dreger, Turcotte had ample time on the top line next to Quinton Byfield and Kopitar.
Turcotte is a puck hound and responsible in all three zones. He was a menace on the puck, and it seemed like at least three or four times in the first two periods alone, their line had 30-second- one-minute shift times entirely in the offensive zone.
The Kings play best when they are five men connected and play a simplistic game that frustrates their opponents, whether they have all the firepower in the world like the Canucks or not. They forced the Canucks to take risks, and when they faltered, the counterattack capitalized.
Byfield continues to shine, recording a career-high 22:49 of TOI, with two helpers.
Byfield's found another level under Jim Hiller, in what was already a breakout season.
Hiller's giving Byfield the opportunity to be an on-ice leader, and Byfield is running with it.
Brandt Clarke got his second of the year while only seeing a little ice time running the 11-7 format. He showed excellent patience and stick handling to go forehand and backhand off the rush.
Trevor Moore added to the rout with a silky but contested breakaway goal on Thatcher Demko.
The Kings got the win they needed to come home with some momentum, as Nashville picked up a win, keeping the wildcard race tight.
If they continue to play with simplicity and that structure that's been instilled for over half a decade, they can beat any team.
It was a massive road win for this team, and the kids are alright, coach.