Led by goals from key players like defenseman Drew Doughty and forwards Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe, the Los Angeles Kings (6-4-4) got a convincing 3-0 shutout win over the Winnipeg Jets (9-4-0) at home on Tuesday night (Nov. 4).
Adrian Kempe and Drew Doughty score in the first and third periods to get the Los Angeles Kings a momentous win vs. Winnipeg
The Kings not only avenged their loss to the Jets from earlier this regular season this fall in the three-goal shutout win yesterday, but the team also got their first win on home ice and the first shutout of this regular season.
If the Kings can start getting some momentum going in the right side of the win column on home ice at Crypto Arena this fall, this could end up being a massive win in the long run. The Kings needed a spark on home ice, and this could be just what the doctor ordered for this team in the Pacific Division.
Doughty and Kempe spoke to the media to give their thoughts on the big win for the Kings, along with the milestones they each achieved in the win over Winnipeg.
Kempe scored his 200th career goal, and Doughty broke the franchise record for goals by a defenseman in the empty-netter that sealed the win for the Kings.
Here's a look at everything Doughty and Kempe said postgame following the Kings' 3-0 shutout win over the Jets at Crypto Arena on Nov. 4.
Drew Doughty
On achieving the milestone of passing Rob Blake as the franchise all-time leader in goals for a defenseman
"It feels special for sure. It’s a huge honor. I looked up to Rob Blake as a young boy, being an LA Kings fan. When you come into the league, it’s never something you even think of. So it’s kind of shocking that this all happened, but obviously very proud and so thankful for the organization and my teammates, especially, couldn’t have done it without them."
On the Kings playing up by only one goal for most of the game in front of Darcy Kuemper last night
"We'd like to get a little more insurance throughout the game there. You don't want to wait till I don't know what Kevin scored with left, but we need some more insurance if we can. We did play
solid defensively, and guys we're going to make mistakes. Systems are going to break down, or just a simple mistake is going to happen, and that's what Darcy's there for, and he's one of the best in the league, in my opinion. He's always there to make a save for us. That was a great win for us."
On returning to the defensive pairing last night with Mikey Anderson on the blue line
"We played that top line the entire night and they didn’t get much. They might’ve gotten a couple chances here and there, but when you play against some of the best players in the world, that’s going to happen. We did a great job, it was like we never left each other."
On how Corey Perry performed in his 1,400th career game
"He’s always in the thick of things. Even tonight, he gets one in the face and is crying, trying to get back on the ice for the 5-on-3, he couldn’t even open his eyes, and he’s trying to get back out there, so it just shows you his heart, how much he loves the game of hockey, and how much he’ll do for his teammates. No surprise to me, another guy that I watched growing up, and no surprise to me that he’s played in 1,400."
On how the team is trending right now going into the finale of the four-game homestand
"I definitely think we’re on the right track, but we need to score more goals. We can’t be having a 1-0 lead, I mean we can, but it’s not ideal. We want to have a two or three goal lead going into the third period. It’s hard to hold on to a one-goal lead, all of a sudden one shot goes in and everything deflates. It’s hard to hold on to those. We did a good job but I think we need to get some more insurance goals."
On how much he followed and was aware of approaching the all-time franchise goals record for a defenseman
"I was aware because these guys kept trying to get me to put money up for time. When I break it, I'll put money up. Would have loved for it not to be an empty-netter, but whatever. I'll take it."
On how the special teams is improving
"I was aware because these guys kept trying to get me to put money up for time. When I break it, I'll put money up. Would have loved for it not to be an empty-netter, but whatever. I'll take it."
Adrian Kempe
On getting the first win on home ice vs. Winnipeg
"I thought it felt really nice. We've been holding up the energy really well. Even though we haven't gotten the results at home, we've been playing good hockey. This one definitely felt good, and I think everybody's going to sleep pretty well."
On the Kings playing in front of Darcy Kuemper to get the shutout vs. Winnipeg
"I think everybody did a much better job not giving up too many odd-man rushes. I think PK was really dialed in. Shout out to all the guys out there for that. I think they did a great job. Darcy as well, probably the biggest key on the PK when we need him. He's always there to make big saves, and he made some really big ones early tonight. I think it was important for us and happy for him to get the shutout. It's well deserved."
On scoring his 200th career goal last night
"I saw that he had it, and then obviously he had a little bit of some, so I tried to scream for him, and he made a great play. That was all him. I was just there to put it in the net. Great play by him overall."
On the Kings finally converting on special teams on the power play
"It was a good play off the rush by Q, Perry, and then finding Kevin. Great finish. I think it is good for the confidence moving forward. I think we've had some looks. I think maybe consistency hasn't been our best on the power plays. I think we've had the looks and we had the chances and we got one in the back of the net. So, I think that was good for the confidence of the group as well."