Los Angeles Kings Extend Road Undefeated Streak to 5-0 with 3-2 Win Over Senators

In a thrilling matchup against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings extended their road undefeated streak to 5-0, securing a 3-2 victory. Phil Danault, Carl Grundstrom, and Anze Kopitar were the goal scorers for the Kings, while Dominik Kubalik and Josh Norris found the net for the Senators.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adrian Kempe Still Contributing: Despite not replicating his 41-goal performance from last season, Adrian Kempe has been a key contributor for the Kings. With two assists in the game against Ottawa, he now has eight assists and 11 points in 10 games this season. While some of his assists are secondaries and he has scored two empty-net goals, Kempe’s consistent point production is a positive sign. Coach Todd McLellan remains confident that Kempe’s scoring touch will return as long as he continues to generate scoring chances.
2. Andreas Englund’s Strong Performance: Andreas Englund has improved his performance in recent games, showcasing his defensive prowess and contributing offensively. Englund not only added a primary assist in the victory over the Senators but also displayed excellent one-on-one defense against Tim Stutzle. Englund and Jordan Spence had a dominant night, outscoring their opponents 2-0 and consistently outshooting and out-chancing them. While they primarily start in the offensive zone, their effectiveness in their roles is noteworthy.
3. Confidence on the Road: The Kings attribute their road success to confidence and swagger. When playing away from home, they assert control over the game and dictate the pace, which has contributed to their impressive 5-0 road record. The challenge now is to replicate this level of confidence and assertiveness when playing at home, as it could potentially propel them to challenge for the Pacific Division title.

The Kings will wrap up the Eastern Conference portion of their road trip with a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. With their road undefeated streak intact, the Kings will aim to continue their strong performance and carry their winning momentum into their upcoming games.

“It’s just confidence, for sure, we feel like we’re a pretty good road team and we can go into any building and get points.,” said Kempe. “It’s just that confidence with playing well.”