The Los Angeles Kings improved on their unbeaten preseason start of 5-0-1, to 6-0-1, last night defeating the Colorado Avalanche. The game’s final was 2-1 Kings after the six-round shootout. Colorado has had a rough preseason, now falling to 0-5-2.
That 70’s line was at it again early last night, with Tyler Toffoli scoring just over three-minutes and thirty-seconds into the game. Jeff Carter came flying in with Toffoli on a two-on-one, and while evading the defender Carter zipped a quick pass to Toffoli on the far side, Toffoli chipped it in. 1-0 Kings. Tanner Pearson, the third member of that 70’s line also picked up an assist on the play.
Toffoli is tied for second in preseason scoring with 7 points in 4 games (2 goals, 5 assists). Toffoli is tied with Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Vladislav Namestnikov, and Dallas Stars star Tyler Seguin. Carter and Pearson are in a four-player tie for third place, while Philadelphia Flyer defenesemen Mark Streit leads the league in preseason scoring with 8 points.
Puck Prose
With only 14 seconds left in the first period Colorado’s Maxime Talbot tied the game with a top-shelf shot over the glove of Kigns goaltender Jonathan Quick. It was a power-play goal that occurred just before Kings forward Kyle Clifford’s penalty expired.
The Kings continued to take penalties in the second period, inhibiting their ability to generate any momentum on offense. Colorado couldn’t take advantage of four power-play opportunities, which would cost them in the end. Quick was the penalty-kill’s most important player, his goaltending stiffling the Avalance.
Dec 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones (31) makes a save off a shot by Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) during the shootout at Staples Center. The Kings won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
After the final three periods of the game, including the overtime period, the teams entered a shootout. Last night’s game at Broadmoor Arena was the fourth shootout for the Kings this preseason. After the first three shooters for each team failed to score, the next four players traded goals. In the sixth round Colorado’s offseason acquisition Daniel Briere, who was sent to Colorado in a June trade for P.A. Parenteau and a 5th round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, missed on his attempt. Kings prospect Jordan Weal was able to beat Avalanche goaltender Reto Barra to capture the win for L.A.
Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick played for two periods, before being relieved for the second straight game by Martin Jones. Quick stopped 20 of 21 shots for a .952 save percentage. Jones continued the strong presence in net stopping all thirteen shots against. The Kings goaltenders faced a total of seven power-plays, allowing a goal only on one.
Colorado will have a chance for revenge on Saturday night. The Kings play the Avalanche in their final preseason match up. The game, known as Frozen Fury XVI, will take place at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST and will be broadcast on Fox Sports West.