With NHL coaches always talking about the need for ‘balanced scoring’ from their respective lineups, five different LA Kings skaters tried their best to make coach Todd McLellan look good on Friday night. The former Sharks bench boss wasn’t very interested in answering questions about his time in San Jose when asked to take a stroll down memory lane in his post-game press-conference on Tuesday. He was more interested in talking about the squad he now leads — and they produced a solid 5-2 victory for him during their quick trip to San Jose.
Far too often this season — and over the past few seasons, really — the Kings have seemed to play down to their level of competition. Not this time around. Somebody must have forgotten to tell them the Sharks had only won two of 13 home games this season. It was a game the Kings needed to win, and they did so in deciding fashion.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan opened the scoring roughly 10 minutes into the first period. It was his first his goal of the season, and first NHL goal since May 5, 2021 in Arizona. For a quirky stat, try this one — JAD has only played in 58 NHL games, 11 of those contests have come against the San Jose Sharks.
And the 23-year-old forward wasn’t finished either. He later added an assist on a goal from Rasmus Kupari in the third period. Overall, he played an inspired game in all three zones – including blocking shots.
Kings up 3-2 after 40.
JAD is having a helluva game, including a goal and leading SOG. He's had/created some really great chances .
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) November 26, 2022
Phil Danault had a power play goal, while Viktor Arvidsson was eventually credited with the game winner. Anze Kopitar added an empty net goal in the final minutes of regulation to close things out.
Below are select highlights from the game:
Additional Post-Game Notes:
— Sean Durzi returned to action after missing a few games with a lower body injury.
https://twitter.com/BallySportWest/status/1596392267878629376?t=huwIRte6eJQhqWi9x4BW5Q&s=19
STATS CHECK
Recently, the LA Kings snapped 10 and 11 game point streaks for Draisaitl and McDavid.
Tonight, they snapped a five-gane goal scoring steak by Logan Couture.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) November 26, 2022
Anderson hit on Labanc pic.twitter.com/pMGMSF8RRB
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) November 26, 2022
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