The LA Kings have made the following transaction:

•   Defenseman Tobias Bjornfot has been recalled on an emergency basis from the Ontario Reign, the Kings' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League.

The Kings dropped their second straight game of the divisional road trip on Thursday night. Again, the Kings ran into a hot goaltender and were unable to beat Stuart Skinner, falling 2-0 to the Edmonton Oilers. It was just fourth time this season that the Kings had been shutout. 

Without Kevin Fiala, who was a late scratch due to injury and Gabriel Vilardi, the Kings were unable to find the firepower needed to beat the NHL's top offense. Heading into Thursday night, it was a matchup between two of the league's hottest teams, the Kings 10-1-2 in their last 13 games and the Oilers 11-2-1 in their last 14 games. 

Despite 42 Kings shots, the Oilers were the only team to find the back of the net. With just 52 seconds remaining in the first period, Leon Draisaitl picked up his 70th assist and 117th point with a pass to the slot, setting up Evander Kane for his 15th goal of the season. After a scoreless second period, it was Connor McDavid who picked off a Sean Durzi pass and scored a breakaway short handed goal for his 61st of the season. 

It was big news when Todd McLellan and the Kings announced that Joonas Korpisalo was starting his second consecutive game. The back-to-back start was the first for time for either Kings goalie since the Fin was traded for at the deadline. Korpisalo played well, allowing just the two goals on 37 shots. Despite an 0-2-0 record in the two starts, Korpisalo posted a 2.00 GAA and a .942 SV%. 

What you need to know ahead of the game against the Edmonton Oilers:

When: Thursday, March 30 at 6:00 pm PST 

Where: Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)

Watch: Bally Sports SoCal & Bally Sports +

Listen: Kings Audio Network on iHeart Radio

The Kings 12-game point streak came to an end on Tuesday night when they fell 2-1 to the Calgary Flames. It was not for a lack of effort though. The tightly contested came had a playoff feel as intensity was high and every inch had to be earned. 

The low scoring game was not because of a lack of offensive chances, but because of outstanding goaltending on both ends. All three of the game's goals came in the first period, beginning with an early power play team by the home team. A Tyler Toffoli shot plunked Alex Edler around the throat in front of the net and took a fortuitous bounce towards Andrew Mangiapane's stick in front of the net and ended up passed Joonas Korpisalo just 1:54 into the game. Going back their last eight games, the Kings had scored the first goal six times. So, into unfamiliar territory as of recent, the Kings fought from behind to tie the game with 10:36 to go in the opening period. Sean Durzi ripped a beautiful shot to beat Jacob Markstrom, going high blocker to even the game. The goal for Durzi marked his third point (1-2=3) in two games since returning from a six-game absence due to injury. 

The game-deciding goal went to Walker Duehr, who took a missed net shot by Trevor Lewis on a 2-on-1 off the boards behind the net and deposited the puck in the back of the net after it bounced back door. Shots were 15-13 in favor of the Flames after the first period and ended 34-32 in favor of the Kings. 

The regulation loss for Korpisalo was his first with the Kings, moving his record to 4-1-1. 

The LA Kings have made the following transaction:

• Defenseman Jordan Spence has been loaned to the Ontario Reign, the Kings' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League.

The Kings open a four-game Pacific Division road trip tonight, March 29, against the Calgary Flames. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT (6:00 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast on Bally Sports West TV and the LA Kings Audio Network on iHeartRadio.
 

The opportunity for LA Kings fans to buy playoff tickets for 2023 postseason games at Crypto.com Arena begins this week. Select Membership group including Kings Season Ticket Members, Reign Season Ticket Members, and premier seat members have already received pre-sale access.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 29, a special American Express Card Member pre-sale begins; on Thursday, March 30, VIP eNews subscribers have access; and on Friday, March 31, remaining tickets will be available to the General Public. 

Groups of 10+ and Event Suites will be on sale to the general public on April 3, with pre-sale opportunities this week. 

Tickets will be available at lakings.com/playoffs or axs.com/lakings. 

What you need to know ahead of the game against the Calgary Flames:

When: Tuesday, March 28 at 6:00 pm PST 

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary, Alberta)

Watch: Bally Sports West & Bally Sports +

Listen: Kings Audio Network on iHeart Radio

The Week That Was 

The Kings closed out their season long seven-game homestand with three more home games over the past seven days. Going a perfect 3-0-0, the goals came early and often as the Kings scored a combined 19 goals (6.33 GF/GP) across the three games. Keeping pace and within striking distance of the division leading Vegas Golden Knights, the Kings remain just three points behind Vegas with nine games remaining in the regular season for both teams. As for how the Kings earned the maximum six out of a possible six points this past week, let's catch you up The Week That Was. 

Beginning with the 8-2 Monday night win over the Calgary Flames, the Kings started on fire, netting four goals in the first period, making it the third time the Kings have put up a four-spot in a period over the last four games. Goalscorers consisted of Carl Grundstrom (10), Drew Doughty (6), Gabriel Vilardi (23) and Viktor Arvidsson (20). Notably, Grundstrom's goal made him the 10th Kings forward to record at least 10 goals this season, marking it the first that Kings have accomplished the milestone since the 2009-10 season. In similar news, Arvidsson's 20th tally made him become the fifth Kings skater to reach the 20-goal plateau this season. Arvidsson has reached the 20-goal mark in back-to-back seasons with the Kings and for the fifth time in his career.

Period's two and three were similar in the fact that the Flames scored the period's opening goal, only for the Kings to respond with the next two tallies. In the second period, Adrian Kempe netted both goals, giving him 34 tucks on the season, one shy of his previous career high set last season. Into the third period, Mikey Anderson netted his first career power play goal and added to his already career-high five goals. Finishing off the game's scoring was again Grundstrom who continues to impress in his role on the fourth line. 

Phoenix Copley made the start for the Kings as the Kings' goalies continue to trade off starts since the acquisition of Joonas Korpisalo. Copley stopped 16 shots and picked up his 22nd win of the season. 

Video: Grundstrom, Kempe power Kings' 8-2 rout of Flames

The NHL announced today that Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson has been named the league's First Star for the Week ending March 26. This recognition is the second Star of the Week honor Arvidsson has received in his career after being named third star for the week ending Feb. 12, 2017.

Over the past week, no player in the league scored more goals than Arvidsson's five, while his seven points (5-2=7) in three games tied for second-most behind Montreal's Nick Suzuki (2-6=8) and Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl (1-7=8). Of his seven points, four came on the power-play, which tied teammate Phillip Danault for the league lead.

What you need to know ahead of the game against the St. Louis Blues:

When: Sunday, March 26 at 7:30 pm PST 

Where: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)

Watch: Bally Sports West & Bally Sports +

Listen: Kings Audio Network on iHeart Radio

Tickets: Kings vs. Blues