Another road game, another win in the standings in the Pacific Division for Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings (7-5-4) this fall early in the regular season. Kevin Fiala lifted the Kings to a one-goal comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-5-3) on the road on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 9) at PPG Paints Arena to kick off a six-game road trip.
Kevin Fiala has a big night to power the Los Angeles Kings past the Pittsburgh Penguins on the road
The Kings have won three games in a row on the road early this regular season, which moved LA back into the top four in the Pacific Division standings in the West early this week. Hiller and the Kings also avenged a loss a few weeks ago in mid-October on home ice at Crypto.com Arena.
Darcy Kuemper had another solid outing in net for Hiller and the Kings yesterday afternoon against the Penguins in Pittsburgh. He stopped 31 out of 33 shots he faced yesterday for the season's fifth win.
Fiala and Kuemper gave their takeaways and thoughts to the media after the one-goal comeback win over the Penguins yesterday in Pittsburgh.
This game was probably the best we've seen Fiala play in the offensive zone early this regular season this fall for Hiller and the Kings.
Here's a look at everything Fiala and Kuemper said to the media postgame following the Kings' comeback 3-2 win over the Penguins on the road in Pittsburgh on Nov. 9.
Darcy Kuemper
On the Kings setting the tone on this six-game road trip with a win vs. Pittsburgh last night
"We did it on the last long trip too and just getting that first one under your belt kind of puts you in a good spot to go play free the rest of the trip. Just a tremendous effort in the third to come out on the right side of it."
On how the team is doing better in road games than at home at Crypto Arena this regular season
"I think we’re playing complete games on the road right now. Being tight and playing more the style we want to on a more consistent basis. Not that we’re not doing it at home, it’s starting to come, but just the 60-minute efforts seem to be there right now on the road. We want to keep building our game and then it’ll start translating to both home and road games."
On the save he made on Bryant Rust early in the game's third period
"Great pass. I was trying to play shot first, and he made a great pass, and I was luckily to be able to stretch out just enough to get a toe on it."
On the impact Kevin Fiala made on the game for the Kings
"We needed a spark in the third there down one. It’s a tough situation, especially in someone else’s building, and he just kind of took over the game every time he was on the ice and then the rest of the group builds off that. He was rewarded with a huge goal but it was also his play that led us to get to that spot."
Kevin Fiala
On the Kings getting the win to start the six-game road trip vs. Pittsburgh yesterday
"It was an important win, great character. We started a little bit slow and got better and better, and in the third period, we took over. Darcy has been unbelievable the whole season, just kept us in the game, and it was a good win."
On how he felt in the win over Pittsburgh yesterday
"I felt really good, to be honest. I came into the game just to have fun, feel the puck. Make plays, and don't overthink. Sometimes (you need to) slow the game down, and it worked today."
On reaching the milestone of scoring 500 points yesterday vs. Pittsburgh
"It means a lot. I mean, 500 points, it's a long way. I never would have believed that if you would tell me when I was 10 years old, so I'm very proud of that. I have lots more to give, I think."
On him scoring the puck at a high rate early this season
"Just play. And like today, I just really came into the game, didn't think about anything. Just have fun, love the game, play the game. Being in the moment more than on other days. It worked."
On the impact Corey Perry has had on the team early this regular season for the Kings
"He doesn't need many chances. You know, he's great around the net, obviously, a very smart player, knows how to make plays, and when he gets the chance, he buries it. Like today, we all felt it on the bench that he's going to score from that angle and he scored. Just very inspiring, him still in that age doing all this kind of stuff. He scored a goal that tied the game, and it changed around the momentum for us."