The Los Angeles Kings welcomed the Winnipeg Jets to Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night, looking for their first victory on home court. Through thirteen games, the Kings had only two regular-season wins and had yet to give their fans a win at home, while the Jets came into tonight with wins in four of their last five and the second-best record in the entire league.
Summary of the game
Less than 20 seconds into the opening frame, Anze Kopitar, looking for his first goal of the season, had an A-chance right in front of Jets superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, but couldn’t get it done.
A Kings power play that has looked rather lifeless so far this season had its first chance early in the first, which was negated by a bizarre too many men penalty. The Jets thought they would open the scoring with a Josh Morrissey point shot, but it was called back due to goaltender interference. The Jets challenged the play, were unsuccessful and sent the Kings to their second power play of the game.
Once again, the Kings’ power play didn’t last long, as a high staying minor from Kopitar negated most of it.
With just under three minutes to play, the Kings were on the board. Joel Armia, who had been promoted to the first line, set up Adrian Kempe for his 200th NHL goal.
An early charge from the Jets in the second period forced Darcy Kuemper to make a few big saves to keep the Jets off the scoreboard. The Kings responded to that pressure with a few of their own high-risk chances for the rest of the period, but ultimately neither team could make it count on the scoresheet.
The tense situation continued into the third period, with not much time and space available for either team.
The Kings got their fifth power play of the night, which turned into a 5-on-3 for 49 seconds when Corey Perry, in his 1,400th NHL game, was high-balled by Namestnikov and drew the double minor. With 47 seconds left on the man lead, Kevin Fiala beat Hellebuyck’s high glove side and doubled the Kings’ lead with five minutes left in regulation time.
Drew Doughty sealed the deal with an empty-net goal, putting him first all-time in goals by a Kings defenseman. Kuemper held the fort the rest of the way, stopping all 22 Jets shots and earning his first shutout of the 2025-26 season.
The Kings picked up their first home win and improved to 6-4-4, while the Jets fell to 9-4-0 on the season.
The elite opposition doesn’t stop there for the Kings, who will take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday, while the Jets make a trip to Northern California for a win against the San Jose Sharks on Friday.
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