No goalie could stop the Kings on Saturday night as both Ryan Miller and Eddie Lack gave up goals to the Kings offense and Los Angeles routed the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in front of a sell out crowd at Staples Center.
The Canucks who currently stand in second place in the Western Conference, were no match for the defending Stanley Cup Champions as 2014 Stanley Cup hero, Alec Martinez, finished with three assists. Tyler Toffoli also had a goal and two assists to lead the Kings.
“I think we came out really strong and we just kept our feet moving and kept getting pucks to the net putting a lot of pressure on their defenseman,” said Toffoli after the game.
Jonathan Quick made 18 saves for the Kings, who moved within one point of the Canucks for second place in the Western Conference behind city rival, the Anaheim Ducks. The Kings face the Ducks on Wednesday and Saturday of next week.
The Kings found themselves in an odd situation before the game when defenseman Robyn Regehr was unable to suit up with an injury. Because Slava Voynov is still serving his suspension for an alleged domestic violence incident last month, the Kings were only able to dress five defenseman total for the game. The Kings couldn’t sign a defenseman even if they wanted to; as they were $160 short from being able to call up a player on their current salary cap.
“I thought we did a good job in what was obviously a weird situation,” said Martinez after the game.
The Kings got on the board first ten minutes into the first period. Marian Gaborik scored his first goal of the season as he made sure to clean up in front of the net. Martinez’s shot deflected off Miller’s pads and right to Gaborik who was able to get it into the back of the net.
Jake Muzzin added to the Kings haul five minutes later with a goal from just in front of the blue line. The goal was also Muzzin’s first of the season, and was assisted by Tanner Pearson and Toffoli.
Anze Kopitar made it three in the first period with his third goal of the season as he flew down the left hand side of the ice and put the puck perfectly over Miller’s left shoulder into the top right corner of the net. Ironically, the Kings first two goal scorers of the evening, Gaborik and Muzzin were credited with assists on the play. The goal came at the 18:11 mark in the first period and the route was on.
The Kings continued to pile it on against one of the Western Conference’s top teams as Toffoli was in the right place at the right time to receive his seventh goal of the season. Martinez sent a shot into the net that deflected right to Toffoli who just got it passed Miller’s stick for the goal.
The fifth goal of the night came courtesy of Jeff Carter who scored on a breakaway. Carter burst passed the Canucks defense and easily shot it by backup goalie, Eddie Lack, who replaced Miller in net to start the third period. The goal was Carter’s sixth of the season, and was assisted by Toffoli and Martinez. Martinez finished with a hat-trick for assists. Both Toffoli and Martinez finished with three points on the night.
Vancouver got on the board at the 12:07 mark in the third period, denying Jonathan Quick his record extending 34th career shutout. Chris Higgins scored his third goal of the season for the Canucks off of a great one timer from Linden Vey. Ryan Stanton was also given an assist on the goal.
Canuck’s goalie, Ryan Miller, had been dominant on the season before tonight as he was 10-1-0 entering the game. Miller and the Canucks had surrendered more than two goals just once on the season before this game.
“We played well for a while but we made too many mistakes tonight. This is a team where you have to keep it simple. If you make mistakes they’re going to hurt you and that’s what happened,” said Canucks captain Henrik Sedin.
Game Notes:
The Kings extended their home point streak to 8 straight games. Six players recorded multiple points for the Kings tonight, the first time any team in the NHL as accomplished such a feat. Tyler Toffoli now leads the team with 17 points on the season, tied for 8th most in the NHL.
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