Viktor Arvidsson scored twice for the second straight game, Adrian Kemp also scored twice and the Kings extended their hitting streak to a franchise-record 12 games Sunday night at St. Louis Blues 7-6.
Alex Iafallo and Trevor Moore also scored in a five-goal first period and Drew Doughty hit his third straight game to help the Kings to a 10-0-2 record since losing to the New York Rangers on Feb. 26 in the final regulation. .
“I think we played pretty well in the first and third periods,” Kemp said. “It was just the second time we didn’t play well at all, so it was a good lesson for us and I think we responded pretty well in the third.”
Phillip Danault had three assists, Pheonix Copley made 16 saves and the Kings also completed their best home streak ever at 5-0-2 in seven games.
Jordan Kyrou scored twice, and Brandon Saad, Justin Faulk, Pavel Buchnevich and Kasperi Kapanen also scored for St. Louis. But the Blues snapped their five-match points streak. Joel Hofer was replaced after allowing five goals on 17 shots in the first period.
“I think it’s an interesting game for the fans to see. I think we show some character to almost come back,” Buchnevich said.
The Kings wasted no time jumping over the Blues, getting the tying goals from Arvidsson, Iafallo on the power play and Kempe shortstop in the early 7:35.
Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson is tackled by Blue Jays forward Brandon Saad in the first period.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Saad broke through just short, but Arvidsson and Moore had power-play goals and Hofer’s night ended with 3:38 left in the opening period.
Jordan Binnington made 12 saves in relief, stopping Arvidsson’s penalty kick midway through the second.
Things came to a screeching halt for King when the Blues scored three straight goals with 2:25 left in the second half on Kyrou’s power play.
“We were able to get to a young goaltender, and he came along very quickly,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “Nothing is easy in this league, but the power play was clicked. Everything felt good, and then instead of playing our game we played as we felt good, and then it changed.”
Kemp responded with his 36th goal early in the third to pull the lead back to two, and Doughty scored on the power play 39 seconds after Kapanen made it 6-5.
“Everything is wrong today,” Buchnevich said of the Blues’ special teams breakdown. “I think in the last two months we have been very strong in PK. I don’t know, maybe their game just doesn’t click.”
Kyrou cut it to 7-6 with 49 seconds left and Binnington got an extra attacker.
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The Kings saw the returns of F Kevin Fiala (lower body) and D Sean Durzi (upper body) after recent concussions, and both players noticed on the power play. Los Angeles went 4-and-5 on the man advantage, with Durzi dishing out two assists and Fiala collecting one of his two helpers on special teams.
“The power play was clicking again, so it was great thanks to both of them, and it was nice to be back in the lineup.”
Notes: Arvidsson has five goals and two assists in his last three games. … The Kings have scored at least four goals in one period in four of their last five games. … Kings C Blake Lizotte served a one-game suspension Saturday after receiving a one-game suspension for a cross on Winnipeg D Josh Morrissey.
Next up for the Kings: visit the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.