Much of the LA Kings 2022-23 season has been about perspective. Are they as good as they’ve looked some nights or as bad as they’ve looked on others?
Entering play on Thursday, coach Todd McLellan’s group had played exactly half of their 82-game schedule. And they were on pace for 100 points. That’s pretty remarkable considering some of the inconsistency and challenges they’ve faced, especially earlier on.
The Kings took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on Thursday, thanks to a goal from Phil Danault. By the midpoint of period two, Boston had taken a 2-1 advantage — it was short lived, though, as a blast from Sean Durzi had things evened up after 40 minutes.
A third period push from the Bruins netted a trio of goals, including an empty-netter, and that was enough for them to get payback for the Kings victory in Boston a few weeks back.
Three stats from the game:
— Danault now has six goals and 10 points in his last nine games played.
— With his assist on Durzi’s goal, Anze Kopitar became the second player in Kings franchise history to record at least 400 home assists (Marcel Dionne – 412). Among active NHL players, only Sidney Crosby (513), Patrick Kane (412) and Evgeni Malkin (408) also have 400+ home assists.
— This was the first time in NHL history where two Alaska-born goaltenders squared off in the same game. Pheonix Copley is from North Pole, AK and Jeremy Swayman is an Anchorage, AK native.
Below are select highlights from Thursday night’s game:
Additional Post-Game Notes:
"I thought our group did a lot of good things."
Todd McLellan is optimistic with his team's play despite tonight's defeat#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/eORmYuSJXd
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) January 6, 2023
P1 action
LA 1-0 after 20 pic.twitter.com/keMHcw4R4M— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/mayorNHL/status/1611205863209074694?t=KoripsEhewNCWBol4REdMw&s=19
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com