Jan 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Kingsdefenseman Tobias Bjornfot (7) and Seattle Kraken center Riley Sheahan (15) battle for the puck during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
Phillip Danault scored twice and Adrian Kempe set a career high for goals in a season as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the host Seattle Kraken 3-1 Saturday night.
Trevor Moore had two assists for the Kings, who earned their fourth consecutive victory. Goaltender Cal Petersen made 17 saves to win his third start over the past eight days.
Marcus Johansson scored the lone goal for the expansion Kraken, who lost their ninth in a row (0-8-1). Chris Driedger stopped 19 of 21 shots.
Kempe gave the Kings the lead 4:06 into the first period with his 17th tally of the season.
Los Angeles was able to keep the puck in the offensive zone at the blue line and Alex Iafallo took a shot from inside the left faceoff circle that went high off Driedger’s chest. Kempe charged to the top of the crease and was there alone to corral the rebound and slip it into the net.
The Kings made it 2-0 on Danault’s goal at 4:10 of the second.
Driedger made a sterling pad save on a shot by Mikey Anderson, but Danault outmuscled Seattle defenseman Jeremy Lauzon for the rebound and slid it under Driedger’s pad.
The Kraken finally got on the board with the man advantage at 10:49 of the second.
Mark Giordano’s shot from the point was tipped and went off the heel of Petersen’s glove. Johansson chipped a half-volley over the goalie’s leg pads.
Seattle had two good chances to tie it. Ryan Donato’s shot late in the second deflected off Petersen, then the goalpost, then the back of the goalie before skittering wide of the net.
The Kraken came up empty on a power play after L.A.’s Drew Doughty was called for a high stick with 3:45 remaining.
Danault capped the scoring on an empty-netter with 45 seconds left.
–Field Level Media