Preseason Game Thread – Kings @ Golden Knights, 9/26

Los Angeles Kings 1, Vegas Golden Knights 1
3:50 Left, Overtime
Game Preview
SOG: LAK – 17 VGK – 34
PP: LAK – 0/3 VGK – 0/4

Third Period
20:00 – Back at it for the third,
17:30 – Tyler Madden sends a puck through the crease that hits the inside of the post and deflects out. Looked close from this angle, but ruled not a goal.
14:51 – Kings to the kill for the third time tonight, and will be without Adrian Kempe, who had a shorthanded breakaway earlier in the game.
12:51 – Kings get another kill and remain in good shape here through 5+ periods of preseason play.
9:38 – Now it’s Kempe who takes his second minor of the game…..last Kings forward to take two penalties scored. Could history repeat itself?
7:08 – Filthyyyyyyyy glove save from Pheonix Copley.
2:52 – Play has been more in the Kings defensive end than the right end of the ice, but group is hanging in there, with Copley looking solid between the pipes.
0:00 – We’ll head to overtime with the game tied at one! Updated end here, gotta make it down to the locker room on time, stay tuned for post-game notes and quotes!

Second Period
20:00 – Second period is a go! Pheonix Copley is in net as we open the middle stanza.
16:15 – Kings get their second PP of the night. Doty laid a big hit on Alex Pietrangelo, Chayka half challenged and took a roughing penalty.
14:15 – Kings PP a bit better on the second go around, specifically in the zone-entry department. Top unit was able to get set up, couple of half chances. I’ll preach patience for the next five exhibition games!
9:47 – To be honest, there’s not a ton to write on the first half of that period. The teams have combined for two shots on goal, one by each team, through the first ten minutes and change.
9:00 – An update on Kings goaltender Cal Petersen, who will not return to tonight’s game with a lower-body injury.

Goaltender Cal Petersen will not return to tonight’s game against Vegas due to a lower-body injury suffered in the first period.

— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) September 27, 2022

8:17 – Second Kings penalty of the night, as Fiala goes to the box.
5:43 – LAK Goal – Kevin Fiala! Out of the box, Fiala glides into the offensive zone, drags a pass from Brandt Clarke to his forehand and snaps a shot past Logan Thompson. First in a Kings sweater for Fiala, we’re tied at one.
3:45 – Pheonix Copley with a very impressive triple save from close range. The second was great with the left pad, the third was fantastic. Good showing early in his Kings preseason debut.
0:00 – 1-1, after 40 minutes. Fiala and Clarke combined for a beauty to draw the Kings level after two periods. Copley was solid after he entered in relief of an injured Petersen.

First Period
20:00 – We are off in Vegas!
16:20 – Nice shift by Gabe Vilardi, who used some shiftiness below the goal line, and a good set of hands to create a few looks for the Kings offensively. Team used that shift to turn over a couple of additional shifts in the offensive end.
12:50 – VGK Goal – Jack Eichel gets in behind the defense and beats Petersen high on the blocker side. Two Kings were beaten by one chip at the other end, which sprung Eichel free in a footrace.
10:15 – Kings get the game’s first power play, as Kessel sits for tripping.
8:15 – Not a ton doing on the first pass for the first unit, but patience is required here. Kings spent some time this morning on the PP, the first time they’ve done so, on-ice, during camp. New influences, new concepts, new personnel and alignment. Needs a bit of time until we can pass judgement.
3:36 – Nice blocker save by Petersen off of a very quick release from the slot. Looked to be Eichel on the shot, though without the benefit of replay, hard to tell for sure. Good save either way, puck goes into the netting for a whistle and a timeout.
2:53 – Fiala takes the first Kings penalty of the game. Showed great effort in backchecking to negate a 2-on-1 rush, but had the free hand around Marchessault. First look tonight at the Kings PK unit.
0:50 – Kings get the kill. An excellent sequence from Spence and Anderson to break through the forecheck and get an easy clear. VGK had some puck movement, but no shots that weren’t easily squared to by Petersen.
0:00 – Golden Knights lead 1-0 at the break. Shots were 11-8 in favor of the home side, with one power play apiece.

Tonight's @LAKings Line Rushes –

Fiala – Kopitar – Kempe
Vilardi – Kupari – Madden
Andersson – JAD – Thomas
Quine – Helenius – Doty

Anderson – Spence
Edler – Clarke
Moverare – Allard

Petersen
Copley

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) September 27, 2022

*Note – With Drew Doughty and Phil Danault out of the lineup this evening, defenseman Alex Edler and forward Adrian Kempe will be tonight’s alternate captains alongside captain Anze Kopitar.

Monday, September 26, 2022 – 7:00 p.m. PT
T-Mobile – Las Vegas, NV
NHL Network, LA Kings Audio Network