The LA Kings came up a goal short in their home opener, as they dropped a 2-1 decision against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday evening at Crypto.com Arena.
With 60 seconds remaining in the first period, the Kings opened the scoring, courtesy of a strong shift from forward Alex Laferriere. Laferriere started the play himself, as he dumped the puck in with speed, winning the race to tie up the puck in the corner. As help arrived, forward Erik Haula won the puck below the goal line and rounded the net, before Laferriere buried his rebound for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.
Just after an extended power play by the Kings came up empty, Florida went back the other way and tied the game at one. Defenseman Seth Jones took a pass in transition from forward Lars Eller and powered his way towards the net, moving the puck back onto his forehand and finishing upstairs on Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, tying the game at one early in the second period.
Florida pulled ahead for the first time midway through the third period, opening up a 2-1 advantage. Defenseman Brandt Clarke turned the puck over in the neutral zone, which gave the Panthers numbers in transition. Forward Sam Bennett pulled up in the slot and fed forward Matthew Tkachuk down the left wing, where he beat Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper for the go-ahead goal and a 2-1 scoreline.
Hear from Laferriere, defenseman Drew Doughty and Head Coach Peter Laviolette after tonight’s game.
