The Los Angeles Kings lost to the Vegas Golden Knights 2–1 in overtime at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 10. Mitch Marner scored the winner on the power play at 2:40 of the extra period. The result left Los Angeles 0–2–2 through four games.
Power-play goals keep the game level
Trevor Connelly opened the scoring for Vegas during a second-period power play. Artemi Panarin answered with a power-play goal of his own, with Adrian Kempe and Brandt Clarke recording assists. Neither team scored in the third period, sending the game to overtime tied at one.
Scott Laughton's tripping penalty gave Vegas the man advantage in the extra session. Marner's shot then ended a close game that had given the Kings a chance to collect their first win. Los Angeles earned one standings point but again missed the second point available in overtime.
The finish remains the issue
Darcy Kuemper finished with 30 saves, while Carter Hart made 26 for Vegas. In the Kings' postgame report, Kempe and coach Peter Laviolette identified their five-on-three power play as an area that needed improvement. Both also described a better response after a difficult stretch in the second period.
CSB Take
Los Angeles stayed close enough to win, and Kuemper gave it the saves required to reach overtime. The next improvement has to come in finishing chances and avoiding the penalty that leaves an opponent with a late advantage. Early standings points help, but the Kings need their close games to produce wins as well.
