Carl Grundstrom had one goal and one assist in Los Angeles’s second half with four goals, Pheonix Copley made 30 saves, and the Kings defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Thursday night.
Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar and Viktor Arvidsson also scored to help the Kings improve to 7-0-1 in their last eight games.
Kirill Marchenko scored for Columbus. Daniil Tarasov was drawn in the second half after conceding four goals on 27 shots and Michael Hutchinson relieved nine. The Blue Jackets lost five of six.
After dominating the first period but showing nothing, the Kings finally climbed into Doughty’s fifth season early in the second. He used skillful stick handling to get into the slot before hitting his own rebound.
Kopitar made it 2-0 less than three minutes later and it was enough for the Kings to start their seven home games with a 2-0-1 lead.
Copley extended his record to an incredible 21-4-3 in 31 appearances. Neither Copley nor Joonas Korpisalo have conceded more than two goals in the seven games since the Kings handed franchise icon Jonathan Quick to the Blue Jackets on Feb. 28. A day after leaving for Columbus, Quick was traded to Vegas.
The Kings are 12-2-2 since returning from the All-Star hiatus. They are undefeated in nine home games in that regular period, with their only Saturday loss coming in a penalty shootout against Nashville.
Source: LA Times
Robert Happel is an author and sports journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep passion for sports and a talent for analyzing the latest developments in the world of athletics. With a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge on the subject, Robert has become a respected voice in the field of sports journalism.
