Trevor Moore couldn’t have scripted a better return.
After missing 11 games with an upper-body injury, the Kings forward stepped back into the lineup Saturday night in St. Louis-and made an immediate impact.
His go-ahead goal midway through the third period looked like it might stand up as the game-winner. But as Kings fans have learned all too well this season, nothing comes easy.
The Kings surrendered a late lead-again-and found themselves in yet another overtime battle. After three shootout rounds with no winner, Moore stepped up with the game on his stick.
And just like he’d done earlier in regulation, he delivered. A quick release from the slot, top corner, game over.
Kings win.
“It just feels good to be back and playing, and I'm just grateful for that,” Moore said postgame. “To see one go in, in an important moment, always feels good.”
That goal capped off a long and winding road back for Moore, who hadn’t played since January 1. He was scratched from that game against Tampa Bay after not feeling quite right, and though he skated the next day and took part in the morning skate on January 3, that would be his last time on the ice with teammates until this past Thursday.
In the weeks between, Moore put in the work-on his own, behind the scenes, grinding to get back to full strength. It wasn’t a straight line, but by the time the Kings left Los Angeles for their road trip, there was growing optimism that Moore might be ready to rejoin the lineup. That became reality on Saturday morning when he was activated from injured reserve and slotted right into a top-six role alongside Quinton Byfield.
No easing back in. No soft minutes. Just a full workload-and Moore was more than ready for it.
“Close to 20 minutes of ice time,” Kings head coach Jim Hiller said after the win. “Mooresie is such a reliable, dependable player, has been for a long time for the franchise.
We clearly missed him, but he had to get healthy. And you just see how important he is to the team.”
Moore finished with 19:43 of ice time, including shifts in overtime, and looked sharp from the opening puck drop. He generated one of the Kings’ best scoring chances early in the game, ripping a forehand shot from the slot that forced a tough save from Blues goalie Joel Hofer. Later, he nearly buried a backhand after a strong drive off the wall.
By the end of the night, Moore led all Kings skaters with eight shot attempts, including a team-high seven at even strength. For someone who hadn’t played in nearly a month, he looked like he hadn’t missed a beat.
“I didn't notice any rust in his game whatsoever,” Hiller said. “He's been skating and working hard with [assistant coach] Derek Johnson, so that part translated pretty well.”
Moore wasn’t the only returnee making an impact-Joel Armia also jumped back into the lineup and played big minutes-but it was Moore’s night. From the high-pressure minutes to the clutch moments, he reminded everyone just how valuable he is to this Kings team.
And in a season where the Kings have been searching for consistency and timely execution, having a player like Moore back in the mix-and delivering right away-could be a major turning point.
He didn’t just return. He took over.