The LA Kings dropped their preseason opener on Saturday evening by a 4-2 final score against the Vegas Golden Knights, a game played at Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA, home of the AHL’s Ontario Reign.
After an opening period that went the bulk of the way through without a goal, Vegas scored twice inside the final two minutes to open up a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
First, defenseman Villiam Kmec scored the first goal of the preseason against the Kings, as he wound up and fired inside Anton Forsberg’s far post with a slap shot to open the scoring. Then, inside the final minute of play in the first period, forward Raphael Lavoie doubled the lead for the visitors. An ill-timed line change by the Kings led to a Vegas 3-on-0 rush the other way, with Lavoie finishing from inside the offensive zone for the 2-0 advantage.
The Kings pulled a goal back in the second period as Kenny Connors and Andre Lee connected on a nice goal in transition. Connors did well to evade a defenseman down the left wing, leading the odd-man rush into the offensive end. Connors delayed with composure before he found Lee in the slot for a one-timer finish, as Los Angeles got on the board with its first of the preseason.
The hosts tied the game at two midway through the second period as Lane Pederson buried his first goal in a Kings jersey. Forward Cole Guttman gained a step behind the Vegas defenseman and although his move back to the forehand was stopped by Golden Knights netminder Adin Hill, Pederson followed the play and cashed in the rebound to equalize the game 2-2.
Vegas restored its advantage with just over five minutes to play in regulation, as forward Jackson Hallum opened his account for the preseason. Hallum picked up speed down the right wing, worked his way into the bottom of the left-hand circle and beat Forsberg from close range, as the visitors pulled ahead 3-2.
The Golden Knights added an empty netter to finish with a final score of 4-2.
Hear from Connors, Lee and Head Coach Peter Laviolette following tonight’s game.
