LOS ANGELES — In an exciting confrontation on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Kings managed to overcome the Florida Panthers with a final score of 2-1, thanks to strong performances in the third period by Samuel Helenius and Adrian Kempe.
Goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper was instrumental in the Kings’ victory, turning aside 26 shots throughout the match. This win was particularly significant as Los Angeles has struggled to find their scoring touch, managing two goals or fewer in seven of their last eight outings, while also snapping a two-game losing streak.
Evan Rodrigues netted a power-play goal for the Panthers, and goalie Spencer Knight recorded 26 saves, showcasing impressive defensive play. Florida was fresh off a decisive victory against Anaheim where they scored five goals, but they couldn’t replicate that performance against the Kings.
The momentum shifted when Helenius netted his first career NHL goal at 6:41 in the third period, tying the game. Just over a minute later, Kempe continued his scoring streak by redirecting a shot from Kevin Fiala, giving the Kings a lead with only 6:48 remaining on the clock. This marked Kempe’s fourth consecutive game scoring a goal.
Key observations highlighted the Panthers’ lack of energy from the beginning, with their performance dwindling as the game progressed into the third period. They will appreciate the upcoming two-day rest period before they engage in another back-to-back game.
For the Kings, Helenius, despite logging the least amount of ice time, made a significant impact with his first goal after 25 games in the NHL, shifting the team’s dynamics and momentum.
An important moment occurred when Tanner Jeannot aggressively pursued a loose puck from a shot by Jordan Spence, keeping the play alive and allowing Helenius the opportunity to score in an unguarded net.
Statistically, the Panthers faced a surprising defeat, marking their record at 18-2-0 when leading after two periods, indicating their vulnerability in maintaining leads. This loss also contributed to their sixth defeat in 26 matches when they scored first.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will travel to face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, while the Kings will kick off a challenging five-game road trip by taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets.
