LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings rolled through the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in a relatively easy contest for the second place team in the Pacific Division. The Kings had 41 shots on the night, lighting up former LA goaltender Cam Talbot, while the Red Wings only had 18 in response.
The ultimate game winner came late in the first period from winger Tanner Jeannot. On a two-on-one opportunity, Jeannot caught a beautiful feed from veteran Trevor Lewis to put the Kings up 2-0 late in the first period.
Only 22 seconds earlier, Los Angeles threw up the first points of the game. Defender Mikey Anderson made an opportunistic play through his own blue line before he shot one five hole on Talbot.
The Kings later goals would both be scored by winger Adrian Kempe who is quickly finding his groove. The first goal he scored would come 15 seconds into the third period on a breakaway when he showed off his quick release that beat Talbot blocker side high. His second goal would be scored at the end of the period on an empty net.
The Red Wings truly could not get any offense going during the game. Their only goal was scored by their center captain Dylan Larkin on a backhander from the low-slot. Other than that, Detroit struggled to find much time in their offensive zone to put pressure on Kings backup goaltender Dave Rittich.
With Kuemper sidelined due to injury again, Rittich stepped in between the pipes yet again this season and turned away 17 of 18 shots for a .944 save percentage.
Los Angeles called up AHL prospect Erik Portillo to the big stage, which is different from previous when they had Pheonix Copley on the bench the last time that Kuemper was on the IR.
The Kings will look to keep the ball rolling Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.