After dropping back-to-back games to open their five-game road trip, the Kings got back on track with a win against the New York Islanders on Friday night. In game two of three straight against the New York metropolitan area teams for the Kings, a strong second period turned out to be the difference in this one.
After a scoreless first period, the Kings put together three even strength goals in the middle stanza. Beginning with the icebreaker, Phillip Danault batted in a rebound out of mid air off of a Viktor Arvidsson one-timer for his 15th goal of the season. Doubling the Kings lead was Arthur Kaliyev who finished off a beautiful sequence after Jaret Anderson-Dolan sprung Rasmus Kupari and Kaliyev for a 2-on-1. Entering the zone with the puck, Kupari deceived the Islanders defenseman and found Kaliyev backdoor for his 11th goal of the season. It was then Gabriel Vilardi's turn to add to the offense as the former first-round pick found space in the high slot for a cannon of a one-timer, netting his 18th goal of the season off of an Alex Iafallo pass.
The Islanders fought back with two goals to bring the score within one, but ultimately fell short after the 60 minutes had elapsed.
Jonathan Quick stopped 17-of-19 shots for his 11th victory of the season. The win marked the 370th of his career, surpassing Tom Barrasso (369) for sole possession of the third-most wins among U.S.-born goaltenders in NHL history. John Vanbiesbrouck occupies second place with 374 wins.
2/24 FINAL - Kings 3, Islanders 2
Vilardi, Kings snap 2-game losing streak
