LOS ANGELES -- In their first game since Friday's trade deadline, the Los Angeles Kings faced off against the St. Louis Blues for the third time in eight days, grabbing their first win in the mini-series 2-1 in overtime.
This also broke a five-game losing streak for the Kings, however, most of the focus was on new Kings Andrei Kuzmenko, who was playing his first game for the team.
It was a difficult situation for Kuzmenko, who told reporters post game that he met the majority of his teammates, including linemates Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, for the first time when he showed up to Crypto.com Arena. He didn't have much time to integrate but was thrown right into the fire.
His second trade this season, Kuzmenko had ten minutes to pack and head to the airport Friday night in a whirlwind 24 hours. His personality came across right away, though. An infectious, bright personality, he didn't stop smiling through his first media availability, a trait that will help him integrate into his third team this season.
"I think it does, we all know it, you're at a party and someone is outgoing, you get to know them pretty quick, otherwise you have to initiate the conversation," said Hiller when asked if Kuzmenko's personality will help with integration. "He's got a smile on his face, seems like he loves life, that kind of instant reaction you get from him, I think that makes it easier."
Kuzmenko passed the off-ice test with flying colors, and despite not finding the scoresheet, passed the eye-test on the ice as well.
He was an immediate threat on the power play, filling a similar role to the one Viktor Arvidsson and Gabe Vilardi have filled in the past, playing the net-front with the ability to pop down low and create chances.
He had two near-assists from that role, first setting up Kopitar then Kempe, the latter of whom was robbed by Joel Hoffer on a one-timer.
Not a particularly fast player, Kuzmenko excelled in small areas. His puck skills, vision and edgework were on display early. On more than one occasion he sucked a defender in before spinning away from them and finding a teammate with a pass.
Hiller mentioned wanting to see him shoot more, something that was mentioned in Hiller's scouting reports on Kuzmenko, but that will come.
Kuzmenko adds an element this team is missing offensively.
"I think historically, Kopi and Kempe have been really good off the rush, I think a lot of their offense comes off the rush and we've always felt like it would be nice to get more ozone danger out of them and Kuzy is an ozone player," said Hiller on what Kuzmenko brings to his line. "He's a rush player, but I think his greatest strength is in the ozone, he's hard to handle. I think, hopefully, we're going to see more zone time and those quick tight little plays. And having a righty, even though it's not the power play, it still makes a difference."
It's always difficult to evaluate a player's first game on a team, especially a player who hadn't practiced with or even met most of his new teammates before the game, but Kuzmenko impressed early.
The vision for how he works on this team is clear, if nothing else. He brings an element this team is missing, a right-shot forward with elite puck skills and an ability to create plays.
Time will tell if this move works out for LA or not, but the very early signs are promising and I'd be optimistic about this one if I were a Kings fan.