After a disastrous game against the San Jose Sharks, the Los Angeles Kings turned it around quickly and had probably their best performance all season. They would return home to play the Winnipeg Jets, who was arguably the best team in the NHL so far this season.
The Kings would end up leading from start to finish with a goal by Anze Kopitar in the first period followed by Phillip Danault in the second. The Jets would cut the lead in half with a power play goal by Gabriel Vilardi.
However, the third period was basically all Kings as Kevin Fiala extended the lead to 3-1 before Adrian Kempe had an empty net goal to put the game out of reach for the Winnipeg Jets. The performance was certainly impressive and Jim Hiller deserves some credit for how he shuffled the lines because there were a number of players who really stood out.
5 Los Angeles Kings who impressed in win over Winnipeg Jets
Anze Kopitar
Anze Kopitar deserves credit because he led by example in this game as he was able to get the Kings the lead within the first two minutes of the game. The Kings would go on a power play and on the opening faceoff of the man advantage, Kopitar won the faceoff and pushed it back to Adrian Kempe who didn't waste any time getting a shot on net.
Fortunately, Kopitar was in front and able to deflect the puck past Connor Hellebuyck. The early goal not only helped put the Sharks game behind them but also took some pressure off a power play unit that has been struggling. If the Kings were going to win this game, they would have to set the tone early and Anze Kopitar helped do just that.