Top 3 Los Angeles Kings studs against the Buffalo Sabres
The Los Angeles Kings opened their season with a win by the final score of 3-1 over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. However, it didn't seem like that was going to be the outcome after two periods as the Kings really struggled to get much going on offense and were being pretty out-played by the Sabres.
The third period was a different story as the Kings took the game over, particularly this one player who kicks off this list of the top players from the first game of the 2024-25 season.
Top 3 Los Angeles Kings studs against the Buffalo Sabres
Anze Kopitar
Entering his 19th season in the NHL, Anze Kopitar continues to impress for the Los Angeles Kings. Their captain helped get the Kings going in the third period with a goal in the first 13 seconds of the period.
Alex Laferriere did a great job on the forecheck and was able to drop the puck back into the middle of the ice where Kopitar was able to finally get the puck past the Sabres' goalie. The game would remain tied for most of the period before the Kings got a power play late in the period.
The Sabres would actually be called for another penalty which gave the Kings a 5-on-3 and after winning the face-off and controlling the puck, it was Kopitar once again and would give the Kings the lead for good. However, he wasn't done there as he would complete the hat trick with a goal on an empty net off the assist from Quinton Byfield.
Darcy Kuemper
The Kings wouldn't have been in a position to get the win if it wasn't for Darcy Kuemper being a steady presence in net for Los Angeles. In his first game back with the organization since the 2017-18 season, it felt like he never left as he once again was playing at a high level.
Kuemper would be tested early and after a couple of shots on net, the Sabres would get a penalty shot in the first period. However, it didn't matter to Kuemper as he would be able to make the save and keep the game scoreless.
It appeared like the Sabres were going to steal one in the first period as they scored as time expired. However, after review the puck didn't cross the line before time expired and the game remained tied at zero.
It wouldn't be until the second period that the Sabres would beat Kuemper after a turnover by Quinton Byfield that Alex Tuch would take on a breakaway. After Kuemper blocked the initial shot, Tuch would get the goal on the rebound.
Kuemper finished the game giving up only the one goal while saving 33 shots and the Los Angeles Kings should be much more confident about him in net for them this season.
Phillip Danault
While it was clear that Anze Kopitar and Darcy Kuemper were clearly the two main reasons for the Los Angeles Kings getting the win, there were some other solid performances on Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres. One of those players was center Phillip Danault, who led the Kings tonight in ice time at 19:48 on 26 shifts.
In addition to leading the Kings in ice time, he also led them in faceoffs won at 11, and hits at three. He would also add two shots in the game tonight against the Sabres.
Danault is halfway through the six-year contract he signed with the Los Angeles Kings prior to the 2021-22 season. The Kings will be looking for more games like the one he had tonight, doing these little things that can help the team continue to win.
feed