Saturday night in Vancouver brought yet another overtime thriller for the Los Angeles Kings - their 12th in just 25 games this season. That’s nearly half their games going beyond regulation, which is a staggering stat no matter how you slice it.
But if there’s one thing this Kings team under Jim Hiller has shown, it’s that they’re built for the grind. And once again, they found a way to get it done in extra time.
Kopitar Makes History (Again)
The night started with a familiar name on the scoresheet: Anze Kopitar. The Kings captain opened the scoring in the first period, and in doing so, added another milestone to his already decorated career.
That goal marked the 150th different NHL goaltender he’s scored against - a feat that puts him on the doorstep of the NHL’s all-time top 10 in that category. It’s a testament to both his longevity and consistency.
Kopitar’s been doing this for nearly two decades, and he’s still finding new ways to make history.
Kempe Closes It Out
After Evander Kane evened things up in the second period, both teams locked into a defensive battle through the third. But when the ice opened up in overtime, it was Adrian Kempe who delivered the dagger - his 10th career overtime goal.
That moves him past Dustin Brown and Kopitar (both with nine) for second-most in franchise history, trailing only Jeff Carter’s 11. Kempe’s been clutch in these moments, and his knack for finishing in OT continues to be a major weapon for LA.
Kings Trending Up, Canucks Sliding
With the win, the Kings improved to 6-1-3 over their last 10 games - the best stretch in the Pacific Division right now. On the flip side, it’s been a rough patch for the Canucks, who’ve now dropped five of their last six. For LA, these tight, grind-it-out games have become the norm, and they’re showing they can thrive in them.
Corey Perry Hits a Milestone
Veteran forward Corey Perry suited up for his 1,411th regular season game, tying Hockey Hall of Famer Harry Howell for 40th all-time in NHL history. It was also Perry’s 19th game with the Kings, and his next appearance will trigger a second performance bonus this season. For a guy brought in for depth and leadership, Perry continues to quietly rack up milestones while contributing in a meaningful way.
Kuemper Solid Again
Between the pipes, Darcy Kuemper was steady, stopping 19 of 20 shots to earn his ninth win of the season. That also marked his 50th career victory as a King. He wasn’t overly busy, but he was sharp when it mattered - exactly what you want from your goaltender in a tightly contested game.
More Milestones for Kopitar
Kopitar’s first-period goal was also his 304th at even strength, tying him with Dave Taylor for third-most in Kings franchise history. And with that tally, he reached 445 career goals - passing Daniel Alfredsson for 12th-most by a player born and trained outside North America. Add to that the fact that he now has more shots on goal than Dustin Brown (3,360), moving into second all-time in franchise history behind only Marcel Dionne (3,848), and it’s clear the 36-year-old captain is still rewriting the Kings' record books.
Kempe Keeps Rolling
Kempe’s overtime winner gave him 22 points on the season (8 goals, 14 assists), continuing his strong start. It was his sixth multi-point game of the year, and he’s now just one OT goal away from tying Carter for the franchise lead. He’s been the engine for LA’s offense, and his ability to deliver in the biggest moments has been a huge asset.
Line Shuffling: Fiala-Byfield-Kempe Line Broken Up
One notable adjustment from Saturday’s game: the much-discussed Fiala-Byfield-Kempe line was broken up mid-game, and it doesn’t sound like it’s coming back anytime soon. Head coach Jim Hiller noted postgame that he gave the trio a fair shot, but the chemistry just wasn’t clicking the way they’d hoped. All three players have shown they can produce individually, so the next step is seeing if they can find more consistent success in different combinations.
Power Play Tweaks Still in Progress
Hiller also hinted that some power play changes are still on the horizon, particularly when defenseman Drew Doughty returns to the lineup. Right now, the Kings have been experimenting with a five-forward power play unit, but it sounds like that setup could evolve once Doughty is back in the mix.
The Kings are finding ways to win in overtime, their stars are hitting milestones, and the team is sitting atop the Pacific with momentum building. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective - and right now, that’s all that matters.