Los Angeles emerged victorious against Detroit with a commanding 4-1 score on Saturday night, highlighted by quick goals from Mikey Anderson and Tanner Jeannot in the first period, just 22 seconds apart. Anderson netted his third goal of the season with 1:55 remaining in the opening frame, while Jeannot marked his return from a three-game suspension and swiftly added to the tally.
In the final period, Adrian Kempe shone once again, scoring twice, including sealing the game with an empty-net goal. Goalie David Rittich contributed significantly with 17 saves, ensuring the Kings avoided what would have been their first three-game regulation losing streak of the season. In the closing moments of the game, Dylan Larkin managed to net a goal for the Red Wings, preventing a shutout, as their goaltender Cam Talbot made 37 saves despite the loss. This defeat marked Detroit’s fourth loss in five games.
For the Red Wings, this game followed an intense 6-4 loss against Anaheim, which was their highest-scoring defeat of the season. They struggled offensively in this matchup, falling to just one goal, marking the fifth time this season they scored one or fewer. On the other hand, the Kings welcomed back Alex Turcotte, who returned from a five-game hiatus due to a head injury, and rejoined the top line alongside Anze Kopitar and Kempe.
A crucial moment in the game came when Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson lost his footing while mishandling the puck in the offensive zone. This error led to a swift three-on-one opportunity for the Kings, which Jeannot successfully converted to extend the lead to 2-0.
A noteworthy stat for the Kings was Trevor Moore extending his impressive point streak to eight games by providing a secondary assist on the opening goal. Throughout this streak, he has accumulated two goals and eight assists, marking the longest stretch of scoring in his seven-year career.
Looking ahead, the Red Wings are set to conclude their three-game tour of California with a matchup against San Jose on Monday night, while the Kings will host the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.