Adrian Kempe and Phillip Danault each scored twice as the Kings defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Thursday night to celebrate their fifth win in a row.
Gabriel Vilardi also added a goal and Anze Kopitar had three assists for the Kings, who continue to battle Vegas for first place in the Western Conference. No team in the west has been hotter than the Kings since the All-Star break with a 10-2-1.
Joonas Korpisalo stopped 28 shots.
Evan Rodrigues and Nathan MacKinnon scored for the collapsing Avalanche, who were 1-3-1 in their last five games. MacKinnon’s goal extended his home streak to 15 games.
It was a game of answers for the Kings to keep the Avalanche at bay, starting with Kempe, who scored in the 24th second of the third period to make it 3-1. And when MacKinnon scored the third goal early, Danault responded 15 seconds later to restore the two-goal lead.
Danault also sealed things with an empty net, which was his 100th career finish.
The Avalanche found a spark looking through an ice fog and trailing 2-0 in the second period. Several Colorado players pushed forward Viktor Arvidsson Kings after he sent goalkeeper Alexander Georgiev an ice fog after a save. Sean Walker joined in and knocked down Cale Makar for a rough call.
And even though the Avalanche didn’t convert the penalty kick, the game got a boost. Soon after, Rodrigues rolled in with a shot to make it 2-1. MacKinnon had a chance to equalize with a breakaway moments later, but sent a wrist shot wide of the mark.
There was a worrying moment for the Kings in the second half after striker Kevin Fiala collided with Andrew Cogliano at the blue line. Fiala, who leads the team as the top scorer, was led into the dressing room by a coach. Fiala returned and assisted Danault’s goal.
Georgiev finished the game with 26 saves.
Kopitar’s three assists earned him 56 career points against the Avalanche, who rank second among active skaters. Blake Wheeler leads Colorado by 58 points.
Source: LA Times