Panthers Vs. Kings Recap And Highlights: Power Play Is On Point As LA Wins 5-2 [VIDEO]

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings cruised past the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night thanks to three power play goals.

Jeff Carter, Matt Greene, Marian Gaborik, Dustin Brown and Robyn Reagher all scored for the Kings who capitalized off of a four goal second period to ride to victory over the Florida Panthers 5-2. The Kings have now won two straight at home and move into a 5^th place tie in the Western Conference with 24 points.

“We played really well in the first period and obviously the second period was the difference in this hockey game,” said Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant. “We came out, we were flat, and they were really coming at us. We just didn’t respond until we got upset in the third period and we started to play a better game.”

Former Los Angeles King’s defenseman, and now Panthers captain, Willie Mitchell, was honored before the game when he received his 2014 Stanley Cup Championship ring and was praised by the crowd during a stoppage in action in the first period.

“It seemed like he was holding it back a little bit when they announced it but it was good to see him for sure,” said Kings center Anze Kopitar.

Matt Greene scored his first goal of the season on a rare goal for the defenseman. Braden McNabb sent a shot towards the net that Greene was able to redirect past Panthers goalie, Roberto Luongo.

“I didn’t know he (Greene) had that in this repertoire,” said Kopitar. “But it was a great play.”

The Kings scored again on a power play goal by Carter. Jamie McBain got his first point as a member of the Los Angeles Kings as he passed to Dwight King who found Carter in front of the net.

The LA crowd egged on the Panthers goalie all night with repeated chants of “Luongoooo! Luongoooo!” in order to rattle the veteran goalie who Kings fans remember from his time with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2012 Stanley Cup Championship year.

The Kings made it three in the second period on another power play goal. Marian Gaborik found the back of the net for the third time this season as the Kings proved to be absolutely lethal on the night going 3 for 6 in power play opportunities compared to Florida who was 1 for 4.

Reagher also scored for the Kings and Jonathan Quick made 30 out of 32 saves for his ninth win of the season. Quick’s presence was felt in the first period where it seemed the Kings penalty kill was exposed. Quick made 13 saves in the first period alone.

Panthers RW Jimmy Hayes had a goal and an assist and Jussi Jokinen also found the back of the net in the third period for his third goal of the season. Luong was pulled in the third period for Al Montoya, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.

Game Notes:
It was Los Angeles Dodgers pride night at Staples center on Tuesday as the team celebrated by wearing custom made Dodgers warm up jerseys. Fans in attendance wore Dodger hats to show their pride for their MLB team. Dodgers’ infielder, Justin Turner, did the ceremonial puck drop before the game.