Coach Todd McLellan and the Kings drove right past Disneyland following their victory over the Ducks on Friday night. Little did they know, they’d be going on a wild ride less than 24 hours later in Downtown LA. Despite leading the Coyotes 5-1 after 20 minutes, the game was far from over. Arizona scored three quick goals in the third period and it was off to overtime, then a shootout before things were eventually decided.
Kevin Fiala notched a pair of goals during regulation, while Blake Lizotte, Matt Roy, and Anze Kopitar each added ones of their own. Jonathan Quick, after playing the third period in relief on Friday, started the game and earned a victory on back-to-back nights. With a 27 save performance, the veteran goalie pushed his career win total to 369, tying Tom Barrasso for third-most among U.S.-born goaltenders in NHL history.
Overall, offense is not a problem for McLellan and the Kings this season. Their five goal outburst in the first period was the 15th time in franchise history a Kings team had done that in the opening frame of a game, and the first time since Nov. 13, 2005 (against Columbus). Additionally, they set a season-high for goals in a single period this season with that early outburst.
In the end, it was Gabe Vilardi and Adrian Kempe who put the final daggers into the Coyotes during a rather brief shootout. Quick stopped both Coyotes shooters, promptly ending the game… while nearly everybody in attendance breathed a sigh of relief.
Three Stats of The Game:
Kevin Fiala eclipsed the 60-point mark (21-40=61) in his 57th game as an LA King, becoming the seventh player in team history to record 60 points within their first 60 games with the Kings in a single season. The last player to do so was Ziggy Palffy (1999-00; 22-38=60 in 52 GP). pic.twitter.com/NZp5aLreQE
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) February 19, 2023
— More Fiala: It was his second consecutive three-point game and also notched his 20th goal this season. In doing so, he became the fourth player in the past 10 years to hit that milestone in their first season with the Kings. Phil Danault (27 in 2021-22) and Viktor Arvidsson (20 in 2021-22) did it last year, while Milan Lucic did it several years ago (20 in 2015-16).
— Rather quietly, Kopitar has amassed 21 points over his last 17 games (8G, 13A). With a goal and assist on Saturday night, Kopitar scored his 90th and 91st career points against the Arizona Coyotes. This increased his lead in points against the Coyotes, which was already the highest among active NHL skaters. His assist was also his 734th career helper, tying him with Bernie Nicholls for 51st all time in NHL history.
Video Highlights:
Additional Post-Game Notes:
Foxy explaining the crazy night @LAKings | #LAKingsLive | @JimFox19 pic.twitter.com/NrAkVFbEDB
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) February 19, 2023
McLellan praising Quick, including for bailing them out in the second period and the great save in the shootout.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) February 19, 2023
We have a lot of work to do. Championship teams don't do that.. You have to be able to play with a lead. Our team has to improve immensely in that area. — McLellan
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) February 19, 2023
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) February 19, 2023
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) February 19, 2023
Lead photo via Daniel Stopani
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