The Los Angeles Kings entered Wednesday night with some concerns after their loss to the San Jose Sharks and how a key player to their team in Kevin Fiala would respond to being kept out of the lineup due to missing a team meeting. Both questions were seemingly answered on Wednesday night in what was arguably the Kings' best win of the season.
The Kings had played the Golden Knights only one week prior in Vegas in a game that was not competitive at all. The Golden Knights jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 6-1 win.
It was tough to imagine this game going well after a lackluster performance the night before but the Los Angeles Kings came out early with great intensity and jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period and then doubling that lead in the second before the Golden Knights scored their first goal.
The Golden Knights added two goals late to make the final score look like this game was close but Los Angeles was in control from start to finish. This win was never going to be able to get the Kings to atop the Pacific Division but certainly closed the gap.
Entering Wednesday night, the Golden Knights had a three point lead and would have had a commanding five point lead early in the season. However, with the win the Kings are now only one point with two winnable games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators.
It is early in the season but if the Los Angeles Kings continue to hover near the top of the Pacific Division they have a chance to win their first division title in over 30 years.
Pacific Division Standings through October 30th
Vegas Golden Knights (15 points)
Los Angeles Kings (14 points)
Vancouver Canucks (11 points)
Seattle Kraken (11 points)
Calgary Flames (11 points)
Anaheim Ducks (9 points)
Edmonton Oilers (9 points)
San Jose Sharks (6 points)