Kings Triumph Over Blues 2-1 in Thrilling Overtime Finish Featuring Kuemper Laferriere and Hiller

The LA Kings ended a four-game losing streak with a thrilling 2-1 victory against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. This victory marked the start of a five-game road trip for the Kings at the Enterprise Center.

Kings Overcome Blues in Overtime

The match began without any scoring in the first period, leaving both teams tied at 0-0. Forward Phillip Danault came close to scoring, but Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington thwarted his backhand attempt following a defensive turnover.

Early in the second period, the Kings capitalized on a Blues mistake. Forward Adrian Kempe intercepted the puck and assisted Alex Laferriere, who made a skilled move and scored. This goal marked Laferriere’s first of the season, giving the Kings a 1-0 lead.

Power-Play Goal Ties the Game

The tides shifted when Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper was penalized for tripping. The Blues seized the opportunity with a power-play goal from defenseman Justin Faulk, who scored off an assist from Robert Thomas. This goal equalized the game at 1-1 early in the third period.

With both teams unable to score in regulation, the game headed into overtime. The Kings’ Kempe helped draw a penalty, creating a 4-on-3 power play opportunity for his team. He then scored the game-winning goal after receiving a pass from Andre Kuzmenko, finalizing the game with a powerful one-timer shot, thus securing two vital points for the Kings.

Key Performers and Statistics

This match featured standout performances from several players:

• Adrian Kempe: Scored the overtime winner, contributing his sixth assist of the season for a total of 2 points in the game.
• Alex Laferriere: Scored his first goal of the season, showcasing his impactful play.
• Darcy Kuemper: Stopped 17 of 18 shots, earning his first win of the season and tying him for 11th in wins in Kings history.
• Corey Perry: Made his debut with the Kings, marking his 1,393rd career regular-season game.

Historical Context

With this victory, Kempe tied for fourth in overtime goals in Kings history, with eight career overtime goals. His performance also marked the first time since 2006 that a Kings player recorded at least one goal and one assist in three consecutive road games.

The Kings’ win serves as an important morale boost as they aim to build on this momentum during their ongoing road trip. The team focuses on solidifying their performance as they prepare for their next matchup against the Dallas Stars.