Kings Grind Out Overtime Win Over Canucks in Wild, Stop-and-Start Battle at Crypto.com Arena
In a game that felt more like a rollercoaster than a hockey contest, the Los Angeles Kings managed to extend their point streak with a gritty 2-1 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 29.
It was the kind of night where rhythm was hard to find, especially early on, as three goals were called back in the first period due to reviews and challenges. But despite the chaos, the Kings found a way-earning their second straight home win and grabbing a share of first place in the Pacific Division alongside the Anaheim Ducks.
The win didn’t come easy. It rarely does in the second half of a back-to-back, especially when both teams are dealing with tired legs and travel. But the Kings leaned on what’s quickly becoming their identity: strong defensive play, goaltending they can trust, and a willingness to embrace the grind of low-scoring, close games.
Defense Carries the Load
With the game unfolding at a methodical pace after the early stoppages, the Kings’ blue line stepped up in a big way. Mikey Anderson and Joel Edmundson both logged over 21 minutes of ice time, anchoring a defense that had to absorb pressure and stay sharp in a game where momentum was hard to sustain.
Anderson, who didn’t appear on the scoresheet, still made his presence felt in all three zones. His work on the penalty kill and in transition was a key part of the Kings’ ability to weather Vancouver’s surges. After the game, Anderson acknowledged the odd nature of the opening period and how it impacted the team’s ability to settle in.
“Not ideal,” Anderson said. “You get what, maybe one, two shifts and a half hour goes by real time.
It’s hard to get your body into it, get your mind into it. But good job by the guys to find a way.
It wasn’t going to be pretty after that, but we found our rhythm as it went on.”
That rhythm eventually showed up, just in time for the Kings to take control of the game’s tempo in the second and third periods. And in a season that’s already seen more than 10 games go to overtime, the Kings once again proved they’re comfortable living on the edge.
“It’s been like that the last couple years,” Anderson added. “This year, we’ve gone to overtime 10+ times already.
It’s right there-one goal, one stick on a puck. You just try to be on the right side of it more nights than not.”
Moore, Forsberg Shine in the Margins
Trevor Moore, who logged heavy minutes on the wing and was a constant presence on both the power play and penalty kill, spoke postgame about the team’s ability to grind through another tight, low-scoring affair.
“They were competitive. Puck was bouncing out there, which made it tough,” Moore said. “Overall, tough game, good win.”
Moore didn’t register a point, but his impact was felt in the corners, on the forecheck, and in transition. His ability to stay engaged despite the stop-and-start nature of the first period helped the Kings maintain some structure when things could’ve easily unraveled.
He also gave a nod to goaltender Anton Forsberg, who continues to be a steadying force between the pipes.
“He was huge. He’s been great all year,” Moore said.
“Gives us a lot of confidence, especially in the back-to-backs. When you know you have a guy back there that can make the save off a mistake, it feels good.”
Forsberg’s play didn’t just show up in the box score. His puck-handling behind the net helped the Kings break out cleanly and avoid extended shifts in the defensive zone-something Anderson also pointed to as a key part of the win.
“It helps a lot,” Anderson said. “One, it makes it harder on the forecheckers knowing where to go. If he can bypass us and get it up to the forwards, makes everyone’s job a little easier.”
Penalty Kill Finding Its Groove
One of the more encouraging signs for the Kings was the continued improvement of their penalty kill. With new personnel like Andreas Englund and Alex Laferriere stepping into bigger roles, the unit is starting to gel.
“It took a little bit to get a rhythm,” Anderson admitted. “You’ve got guys that maybe didn’t kill as much last year.
But I think we’ve got a good groove going, good mojo. We’re confident in what we’re doing.”
That confidence showed against a Vancouver team that can be dangerous with the man advantage. The Kings didn’t just kill penalties-they disrupted the Canucks’ entries and forced them into low-percentage plays. It’s the kind of detail work that wins games when scoring is hard to come by.
Embracing the Sludge
The Kings are clearly comfortable in the muck. This isn’t a team that needs to win 5-4 thrillers.
They’re built to win 2-1, 3-2 games where every shift matters and every mistake can be the difference. And while that style can wear on a team over the course of a long season, the Kings aren’t blinking.
“Yeah, it can be [fatiguing],” Anderson said. “But you don’t really think about it when you’re out there.
Your adrenaline gets going, instincts take over. With the schedule this year, we play so fast, everyone’s kind of quick resets.
You flush it and think about the next one.”
That next one is always coming fast, especially in the NHL. But if the Kings keep defending like this, getting steady goaltending, and embracing the grind, they’ll stay right in the thick of the Pacific Division race.
For now, they’ve got 31 points, a two-game home win streak, and a growing belief that they can outlast anyone in a tight game. And in the Western Conference, that’s a formula that travels.