NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Kings achieved their seventh victory in their last eight games with a commanding 5-1 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday. Alex Turcotte and Warren Foegele were pivotal in the first period, contributing to the team’s early lead. Quinton Byfield, Adrian Kempe, and Phillip Danault also added goals, which marked a tough outing for the Rangers, who have now lost nine of their past 12 matches. Darcy Kuemper was instrumental in goal for the Kings, notching 31 saves to secure the win.

The Kings’ captain, Anze Kopitar, played a significant role with two assists, as the team overwhelmed Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin during the game. Shesterkin was replaced in the second period after allowing five even-strength goals on just 21 shots.

Turcotte set the pace for the match, scoring at 7:05 into the first period by firing the puck past Shesterkin after a 2-on-1 break with Kempe. Foegele added to the Kings’ tally at 15:06, making it 2-0 by capitalizing on a Rangers defensive lapse.

In the second period, Byfield extended the lead to 3-0 just 2:46 in. This was quickly followed by a goal from Kempe at 4:40, and Danault at 5:04, prompting the Rangers to switch goalies, bringing in Jonathan Quick, a former Kings player, in place of Shesterkin. Following these series of goals, Shesterkin’s record for the season dropped to 10-11-1.

Filip Chytil provided a small consolation for New York, scoring his sixth goal of the season. The Rangers were missing key defenseman K’Andre Miller due to an upper-body injury he sustained during a game against Buffalo, leading to Connor Mackey’s inclusion in the lineup.

Kuemper’s performance improved his record to 7-2-3, while Quick managed to save 13 shots after taking over in goal.

**Key Takeaways:**
For the Rangers, this defeat puts them at 7-8-1 at home, a startling contrast to their strong performance last season at Madison Square Garden, where they only lost 11 times in 41 home games. Meanwhile, the Kings are performing well against Eastern Conference teams with a record of 7-2-3. They have also exhibited strong defensive capabilities, allowing two goals or less in seven of their last eight outings.

**Key Moment:**
Turcotte’s early goal established a dominant tone for the entire game, setting the stage for the Kings’ impressive performance.

**Key Stat:**
Kopitar continues to lead the Kings with a total of 34 points, which includes eight goals, marking a notable contribution from the veteran center in his 19th season with the team.

**Looking Ahead:**
The Kings are set to visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, while the Rangers will take on the St. Louis Blues on Sunday as they embark on a three-game road trip.