LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings delivered a decisive 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena, marking the first win of the D.J. Smith era. The win came as a welcome boost for a Kings team looking to salvage their season, and was highlighted by Artemi Panarin scoring his first goal in a Kings uniform.
The game showcased a strong offensive performance from Los Angeles, with contributions from several players. Anze Kopitar also reached a significant milestone, appearing in his 1,500th NHL game. The Kings (25-22-14) needed the win, having previously gone 2-5-1 in their last eight games, and will look to build momentum as they push for a playoff spot.
Artemi Panarin opened the scoring just 3:17 into the first period, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Mikey Anderson. Samuel Helenius extended the lead in the second period, followed quickly by a goal from Mikey Anderson. The Islanders briefly responded with a late second-period goal from Bo Horvat, but the Kings answered back with three more goals in the third, securing the win despite a late tally from Matthew Schaefer.
The Kings’ offensive surge was supported by solid goaltending from Darcy Kuemper, who saved 31 of 34 shots faced. The Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin also faced a busy night, stopping 30 shots.
Panarin’s First Goal Sparks Kings’ Offense
Artemi Panarin, acquired from the New York Rangers on February 4, finally found the back of the net for his new team. He has now registered five points (one goal, four assists) in five games as a King, according to NHL.com. His goal ignited the Kings’ offense, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Adrian Kempe and Alex Laferriere also contributed both a goal and an assist each for Los Angeles.
Kopitar Reaches Historic Milestone
The night wasn’t just about the win; it was also a celebration of Anze Kopitar’s longevity and dedication to the sport. Playing in his 1,500th NHL game, Kopitar became the 25th player in NHL history to reach the milestone. He is now just five points away from surpassing Marcel Dionne as the Kings’ all-time leading scorer, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Kopitar acknowledged the team’s need to improve, stating, “Every time you have a coaching change, you got to look yourself in the mirror, too. Obviously, we haven’t been performing up to our standards, and we have 20-plus games to salvage the season and squeak into the playoffs. It’s all or nothing now, and we got to play with desperation, and I think we’ve been showing that on the ice.”
Islanders Struggle in Southern California
For the New York Islanders (35-23-5), the loss marked their second consecutive defeat in Southern California, following a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Adam Pelech scored a shorthanded goal for the Islanders, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Kings’ offensive firepower. Islanders forward Bo Horvat noted the team’s defensive struggles, saying, as reported by NHL.com, “We weren’t closing quick enough in our own end…Sorokin made some unbelievable saves there in the first period or it could have been a lot worse.”
Game Summary
Here’s a breakdown of the scoring:
- 1st Period: LAK – Artemi Panarin (20) – (Anze Kopitar, Mikey Anderson) – 3:17
- 2nd Period: LAK – Samuel Helenius (4) – (Jeff Malott, Taylor Ward) – 14:20
- 2nd Period: LAK – Mikey Anderson (3) – (Drew Doughty, Adrian Kempe) – 15:51
- 2nd Period: NYI – Bo Horvat (26) – (Jean-Gabriel Pageau) – 19:59
- 3rd Period: LAK – Alex Laferriere (15) – (Brandt Clarke, Darcy Kuemper) – 2:30 (PP)
- 3rd Period: NYI – Adam Pelech (4) – (Jean-Gabriel Pageau) – 4:30 (SH)
- 3rd Period: LAK – Adrian Kempe (23) – (Artemi Panarin, Brandt Clarke) – 8:30
- 3rd Period: NYI – Matthew Schaefer (21) – (Matthew Barzal, Anders Lee) – 18:01
The Kings will look to continue their winning ways as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. The Islanders, meanwhile, will aim to rebound from this two-game losing streak as they return home. The Kings’ performance under interim coach D.J. Smith will be closely watched as they attempt to secure a playoff berth.
What do you think of the Kings’ performance under their new coach? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
