LA Kings Game Notes: Come Out 5-2 Win Over Blue Jackets After Smooth Start – Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

For a team that was 8-4-3 before last night’s game and sitting in second place in the Pacific Division, it was important for the Los Angeles Kings to come out on top against an average Columbus Blue Jackets who have now lost four straight. .

Bouncing back after a loss has been a rare occurrence for the Kings, who haven’t lost in a row since mid-October. Actually Amakhosi have never lost two games in a row this season. After a tough loss to the Vancouver Canucks last night, the Kings found a way to get back into the win column.

“That is the character and desire to win, you know the old leadership […] “If you don’t have experienced guys or leadership like we do, it makes it very difficult,” said coach Jim Hiller.

It wasn’t a full, brilliant sixty minute effort from the Kings but their ability to make the most of their chances, backed up by goalkeeper David Rittich’s outstanding effort in the second half, was enough to get the job done. The Kings pulled off a 5-2 win over the Jackets to improve to 9-4-3 this season. Warren Foegele scored twice, Trevor Moore’s classic goal was featured, and Alex Laferriere collected his season-best ninth goal.

A sloppy start from all over for the Kings allowed the Blue Jackets to take a 1-0 lead in the first game. Kevin Fiala made a dangerous pass in the neutral zone that was taken which led to a goal and kept him on the bench for the duration. The inability to connect cleanly on passes, the lack of sustained pressure, and the dangerous plays that led to turnovers were very evident during the first 20 minutes. The Kings had 14 turnovers in the entire game and seven of them came in the first half.

Production Continues From Back to Back

No other team defending the title has seen themselves on the score sheet more than Amakhosi. They lead the entire league in goals by defensemen with 11. Renovating their defensive players in the attack zone is one of the ways this team is able to transform offensively. Not only do their guards find shooting lanes, but the forwards who get to the net and make it difficult for opposing goalies to track pucks should be given a lot of credit.

Three of the Kings’ five goals involved a defender. Vladislav Gavrikov scored one from the point after receiving a pass from Adrian Kempe to tie the game at one. Although it was Laferriere who scored the fourth goal with a ridiculous redirection, it was Joel Edmundson who fired one from the blue line. Brandt Clarke hit an empty netter to end the night.

Related: Kevin Fiala Wamakhosi Gets New Gear Since Being On The Bench

It was a combined effort from all five skaters on the ice to have the success the Kings had in generating offense from the top. Simple hockey and very well executed because everyone knows where they need to be to allow goals like these to be scored.

“I think our top players are helping us, they are finding the net hard […] “I think they did a good job creating traffic and we’re trying to shoot and get something out there,” defenseman Mike Anderson said.

Helenus Made His NHL Debut

Samuel Helenius was a player who stood out during training and the preseason. With Alex Turcotte injured and Tanner Jeannot serving a three-game suspension for his hit on Brock Boeser, the Kings needed to call up someone from Ontario to fill the void. Helenus got the call to make his NHL debut and he did not disappoint.

For many players making their NHL debut, it takes a little time to get up to speed and get comfortable playing in a new environment. For Helenus, it was not. He looked relaxed and confident from the moment the puck dropped and even picked up his first NHL point with an assist from Foegele to give the Kings a 2-1 lead.

Standing at 6-foot-6, Helenus used his large frame to gain space and win puck battles down in the corners. It’s not just that he got the point or that he’s a big guy who can handle the puck in tight spots but it was his overall race and hockey IQ that went a long way and will be a big reason why he gets it. more NHL action. From taking smart shots and shooting for rebounds to transitioning at the right time to checking the back and being in the right place defensively, Helenius looked like he belonged.

(Helenius) was very handsome […] the speed is not a problem, the hockey feels good, he was good,” said Hiller. He understands the game and is committed to the details of the game, which always puts him in good standing with the coach.

Rittich’s Second Season Performance Played a Key Role

When the Kings turned around in the second half in terms of their offense and their ability to get the puck behind the Jackets, and not only produce but also use their looks, the Blue Jackets had their fair share of grade-A chances. Rittich denied that. Stopping all 11 shots in the second half, Rittich’s performance played a big role in Amakhosi taking the lead in the third half and ending up with two points.

Rittich finished the night stopping 24 of 26 shots for a .950 save percentage. Rittich faced six dangerous shots all game and managed to knock down five of them. The number of empty chances the Blue Jackets had in the space Rittich was able to stop and save the game for the Kings.

Scoring hasn’t been all that great for the Kings so far this season, but what continues to stand out is that Darcy Kuemper and Rittich came up big at key moments in the game. This allowed the Kings to continue to lead even if they didn’t get there early. These goaltending seasons deserve more recognition but because they’ve had equally bad seasons and their numbers aren’t anything to write home about, they haven’t been talked about much.

The Kings head north to visit the Calgary Flames on Monday (Nov. 11) as they look to make it four wins in five games.