The LA Kings wrapped up their five-game road trip with a hard-fought 3-1-1 record, earning a point in Carolina but falling just short in overtime, 3-2. It was a gritty finish to a solid stretch away from home - and while the Kings didn’t get the win, they showed resilience, rallying from a two-goal deficit to force extra time.
Carolina wasted no time getting on the board, striking on their first power play of the night. And once again, it was Jordan Staal doing the damage - just like in the last meeting between these two teams.
The veteran center won the faceoff, drove to the net, and got his stick on a slick shot-pass from Andrei Svechnikov. The deflection snuck past Anton Forsberg, giving the Hurricanes the early 1-0 edge.
The score stayed that way for over 40 minutes, with both teams grinding through a physical, defensive battle. But with just over seven minutes left in regulation, Carolina doubled their lead.
The Kings were scrambling in their own zone and managed to clear the crease - but not the danger. Brandt Clarke’s attempted clearance landed right in the slot, and Alexander Nikishin didn’t hesitate.
The defenseman hammered home his seventh of the season, making it 2-0 Hurricanes.
That could’ve been the dagger - but the Kings responded immediately. The fourth line stepped up in a big way, showing the kind of depth and energy coaches love to see late in games.
Taylor Ward drove hard through the middle, pulling defenders with him and creating space on the wing. Jeff Malott took advantage, finding Samuel Helenius cutting into the slot.
Helenius did the rest, snapping one past Brandon Bussi on the blocker side for his second goal in three games. Just like that, it was 2-1, and the Kings had life.
They kept pushing, and with under five minutes to go, the top line delivered. Adrian Kempe, who’s been on a heater lately, circled the net and sent a perfect feed across the crease to Quinton Byfield at the back post.
Byfield buried it for his second goal in as many games, tying things up at two. Kempe’s assist extended his point streak to seven games - a testament to the chemistry and confidence he’s playing with right now.
Overtime didn’t go the Kings’ way, though. Carolina capitalized on the open ice in 3-on-3 play, and it was Sebastian Aho who sealed it.
Seth Jarvis made a smart play along the boards to spring Aho through the middle. Aho’s shot from the slot took a deflection off Kempe’s stick and beat Forsberg for the game-winner.
It’s a tough way to end the trip, but there’s a lot to like about how the Kings battled in this one. They didn’t fold after going down two goals on the road against a tough opponent.
They got contributions from all four lines, saw continued production from their top players, and picked up a point in a building where wins don’t come easy. That kind of effort - even in defeat - can go a long way as the season grinds on.