The Los Angeles Kings overcame the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Adrian Kempe and Samuel Helenius in the third period.
Los Angeles ended a two-game losing streak after Darcy Kuemper stopped 26 shots and was restricted to two goals or fewer for the sixth time in eight games.
The Panthers, fresh off a 5-2 victory at Anaheim on Tuesday, had a power-play goal from Evan Rodrigues and 26 saves from Spencer Knight.
At 6:41 of the third, Helenius tied the game with his first NHL goal. Then, with 6:48 remaining, Kempe pushed the Kings ahead by tipping in a shot from Kevin Fiala, his fourth goal in a row.
Takeaways
Panthers: Florida’s fuel supply was low from the beginning and finally ran out in the third. Before beginning another back-to-back, they will gladly take advantage of the following two days off.
Kings: Despite having the least amount of ice time of any Los Angeles player, Helenius’ first goal in 25 games was crucial in shifting the tide.
Key moment
The ball was kept alive so Helenius could fire into an open net by Tanner Jeannot’s hard attack on Jordan Spence’s loose rebound.
Key stat
After two periods, the Panthers led 18-2-0 but lost. When they scored the first goal, it was also their sixth defeat in 26 games.
Up next
The Kings begin a five-game trip to Columbus, while the Panthers travel to San Jose on Saturday.