Behind 17 saves from Darcy Kuemper between the pipes, the Los Angeles Kings (2-3-2) built momentum in a crucial start of a five-game road trip this week against the St. Louis Blues (3-2-1). The Kings registered their second road win early this regular season, thanks to a one-timer goal on the power play on special teams by Adrian Kempe.
Darcy Kuemper is stout in net for the Los Angeles Kings in a key overtime win over St. Louis
Alex Laferriere got the scoring going for the Kings in the second period, on a nice breakaway goal in the middle frame. Kempe got the assist on Laferriere's goal in the second period, which was Alex's first goal of the regular season this fall.
Kuemper and Laferriere spoke to the media postgame after a huge win for the team yesterday over the Blues for the first non-shootout victory early this regular season for the Kings.
Here's a look at everything Kuemper and Laferriere said to the media postgame following the Kings' 2-1 overtime win over the Blues on the road in St. Louis on Oct. 21.
Darcy Kuemper
On the Kings playing a complete 60-minute game last night vs. St. Louis
"I think that's more of how we want to play; they're really tough to play against. Grind on the forecheck and generate our chances off of that. I think that's more of our identity, and it's a great building stone for us."
On making his first start since the injury this past week vs. Minnesota
"It always sucks watching. So nice to get back, especially to start off with a big win. This is obviously a really big road trip for us. So that's a great start for us."
On the defense playing well in front of him in the win vs. St. Louis
"Yeah, I think we're just managing the pucks, and that allows us to not be chasing the game. We dictate control, and we're in our structure, and that's how we want to play, and it makes it really hard to play against. I'm sure it's frustrating for other teams, and we just got to build off that."
On Corey Perry making his debut last night
"Yeah, it was unfortunate what he had to deal with, but it's been great getting to know him and seeing how hard he's been working to get back. I think it's huge whenever you can add that kind of leadership to a locker room. Great presence on the ice, but also a great presence in the locker room as well."
On starting off the road trip on the right foot last night
"Yeah, it was an unfortunate start, but this is a massive road trip for us. So, uh, nice to start off with a win, but more importantly, start off playing the way we want to play. And we're confident with the group we have in here, and we know we'll turn it around. So this was a big start."
Alex Laferriere
On the team's play in the win over St. Louis
"I think that was definitely the most complete game that we’ve had as of right now. Obviously, got away from us a little bit at the start of the third but I thought we rebounded really well and carried it into OT. I think that was definitely a more complete game from us."
On the goal he scored in the second period
"I kind of fell down in the corner, so I was just trying to backcheck and then Juice made an unbelievable play in the neutral zone and was able to create that turnover. He was going to go for a breakaway but he let me have it, kind of, he passed it to me and told me I had time. I just kind of went in, made a move and luckily I went in."
On adjusting to playing center for the Kings last night
"Most comfortable, for sure. I think that was definitely the one game where I felt more natural than I’m used to. It’s a hard position. People get paid a lot of money to play that position, and I’m not that position, but I’m trying to kind of use that in my game. It’s a hard transition, but I mean, playing with guys like Juice and Kuzy, they make it really easy to play that position. As long as we’re in the offensive zone, you don’t have to play much as a center, so it’s pretty easy."
On getting Corey Perry back in the lineup for his debut vs. St. Louis
"Yeah, I mean it's huge. He's an unbelievable player and such an asset to our team right now. Yeah, I mean, it was a little bit of a jump scare at the beginning, but um yeah, He's such a leader and such a veteran. Even though it was his first game on our team, he's still leading us out there, and he's a guy that I want to learn a lot from in my game."
On building more momentum from the win vs. St. Louis
"Yeah, it’s huge. It’s hard to win games on the road in this league, especially against teams like this. I think it shows a lot of character for our group to be able to pull that one out. Yeah, it’s just the beginning of the road trip that we want to end with five wins. Yeah, it’s pretty exciting."