Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (6-4-4) proved a big point in the West with a decisive 3-0 shutout win over the defending Presidents' Trophy winner Winnipeg Jets (9-4-0) on home ice on Tuesday night (Nov. 4). This was a big night for Hiller and the Kings in multiple facets and ways on the ice last night in the multi-goal win over the Jets in regulation.
Adrian Kempe's game-winning goal lifts the Los Angeles Kings to a big-time shutout win vs. Winnipeg
First, the Kings and Hiller won their first home game this regular season this fall last night. The Kings got the first shutout of the regular season, with starting goalie Darcy Kuemper stopping all of the 23 shots on goal and the eight high-danger scoring chances (per Natural Stat Trick) that the Jets mustered on net.
Another big milestone for Hiller and the Kings last night was defenseman Drew Doughty scoring a franchise record 162nd goal to seal the win on the empty net to beat the Jets.
The Kings took some risks, shifting the defensive lines and the top power play unit on special teams last night. Those risks by Hiller and staff seemingly paid off for the Kings last night, as the team scored a power play goal on special teams and achieved the season's first shutout this fall.
Here are two studs and one dud from the Kings' impressive and decisive 3-0 shutout win over the Jets on home ice at Crypto Arena on Nov. 4.
Stud: Adrian Kempe, W
This was a big game for standout winger Adrian Kempe in the Kings' 3-0 shutout win over the Jets last night at Crypto.com Arena. Kempe scored the season's third game-winning goal, and the first game-winner for the Kings on home ice this fall.
The two other big milestone events for the Kings last night in the impressive three-goal shutout win over the Kings included Kempe scoring his 200th career goal in the first period and veteran forward Corey Perry playing in his 1,400th career regular season game.
I thought Kempe was making plays and helping to generate chances in key and critical situations for the Kings in the offensive zone. He created three scoring chances for the Kings last night, and scored a team-leading sixth goal of this regular season this fall.