Los Angeles got their second win on back-to-back nights as they scored four unanswered goals after falling behind early in the first period. Despite a late goal from Kevin Hayes, the Kings would hold onto a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers in Manhattan.
It took just 51 seconds for the Rangers to open the scoring tonight through Mats Zuccarello as he was not covered in front of 10:20 1st period: Shore got a turnover at the top of the Kings offensive zone, and fed a wide open Trevor Lewis. Lewis was in all alone against Cam Talbot, but the former UAB netminder stopped the shot with his left pad.
It took nearly ten minutes for the Kings to equalize but it all started with the work from Kyle Clifford Clifford got the puck down near the right corner of their offensive zone and Robyn Regehr was waiting near the left circle, and the shot deflected off of Yandle and the puck found its way into the back of the net to tie the game at one. That first period, however, was really controlled by the Los Angeles Kings as they controlled the zone and got a couple of good looks at goal.
That momentum carried over into the second period when the defending champions would get on the board with a little over four and a half minutes into the period thanks to a tip-in from Marion Gaborik. Los Angeles killed off a penalty in the second period by doing what they do best and that is being exactly where they are supposed to be at all times. At all times there were three Kings skating backwards which cut down the passing lanes and made it difficult for the Rangers to get anything going on offense.
Off of a turnover, Dwight King skated down the left boards in their offensive zone and Jeff Carter was waiting right in front of Cam Talbot. King sent in a nice pass and Carter was able to tap the puck into an empty net. With a little under five minutes into the period, Stepan had a shot off the rush and tried to beat Quick short side, but the Kings goalie had the angle covered excellently.
The Kings offense was really clicking tonight and the fourth goal really highlighted this fact. Anze Kopitar took the puck around the Talbot's net and found the stick of Jake Muzzin. Muzzin shot a wrister that beat Talbot's glove high and into the roof of the net. The deficit was was cut in half with 3:44 left to go in the final period as Kevin Hayes ripped a shot that deflected off of a Kings stick that confused Quick.