LOS ANGELES -- In his 25th game in the National Hockey League, Samuel Helenius scored his first career goal, lifting the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers.
With just under 13 minutes left in the third period, Helenius knocked in a loose puck that slid past Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight. The center was quickly engulfed by his linemates in the corner to celebrate his first goal in the NHL, which tied the game 1-1.
The game-winning goal would come six minutes later by winger Adrian Kempe, who has now scored in four straight games and currently leads the team in goals at 24. Initially a one-timer from the point from winger Kevin Fiala, Kempe tipped the incoming shot, which trickled in between the legs of Knight, securing the win for Los Angeles.
The reigning Stanley Cup Champions put up one goal on the night, which would come during the middle stages of the second period. On the power play, winger Mackie Samoskevich took a shot from the point, which was corralled in front by center Anton Lundell before he sent a no-look backhanded pass to winger Evan Rodrigues, who tapped the puck into the wide-open net to give Florida the lead 1-0.
Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper finished with 27 saves on 28 shots, while Knight had 26 saves on the same amount.
After the bounce-back win, the Kings head back on the road to face the Columbus Blue Jackets at 4 p.m. on Saturday.