LOS ANGELES – In an explosive game on Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Los Angeles Kings overwhelmed the Carolina Hurricanes with a 7-2 victory, snapping the Hurricanes’ impressive eight-game winning streak while showcasing a stunning performance from newly acquired forward Andrei Kuzmenko.
Kuzmenko, who recently joined the Kings from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade on March 7, celebrated in style by scoring his first points with his new team. He recorded a goal and an assist during the game, helping the Kings extend their home point streak to an astonishing 13 games. The 26-year-old forward provided a much-needed boost on the power play, contributing to Anze Kopitar’s power play goal early in the first period to take the lead.
The Kings came into this game after a tough road trip back home from Chicago, where they narrowly managed to clinch a win before facing the streaking Hurricanes. Coach Jim Hiller noted the importance of the game not only as a chance to maintain momentum at home but also as a statement against a leading team in the Eastern Conference. With a couple of injuries sidelining key players for the Hurricanes, namely their captain Jordan Staal and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, the Kings were determined to take advantage of the situation.
Starting from the puck drop, the Kings made their intentions clear. Just minutes into the game, Kempe and Kuzmenko each scored wrist shots from the right circle, putting LA on the board first and setting the tone for the match. How quickly the Kings found their rhythm suggested they were a team ready for the playoffs.
Aside from Kuzmenko's contributions, other players challenged their limits as well, with Anze Kopitar tallying an assist and giving his power-play goal during the first five minutes, bringing his total to a remarkable 124 career power-play goals, surpassing Kings great Dave Taylor, now the third-highest in the franchise’s history. Tanner Jeannot, Quinton Byfield, and Kevin Fiala also made their presence felt, each contributing a goal and an assist.
Goaltender David Rittich played a crucial role in the Kings' defense, making 34 saves against the Hurricanes' offensive prowess. Although the Hurricanes managed two goals from Dmitry Orlov and Mark Jankowski, it was not nearly enough to frustrate the Kings, who continued to dominate throughout the game.
Powered by a four-point night from Kuzmenko, the Kings attempted to add more to their lead, showcasing depth and resilience that fans have long awaited. In fact, Kuzmenko's addition to the squad seems to have reinvigorated the team's power play efficiency, amassing four goals over just eight games with the Kings—which marks a significant improvement.
The loss for the Hurricanes, whose winning streak came to a halt, served as a critical moment not just in their season but in the playoff race, raising questions about their ability to sustain momentum without key players and further complicating their path as they face injuries on top of high expectations.
With a quick turnaround, the Kings and the Hurricanes are set for their next contests. The Kings will host the Boston Bruins on Sunday, March 23, while the Hurricanes will visit Anaheim later that same day.
Historically significant milestones surrounded this matchup; it marked the 21st anniversary of Luc Robitaille becoming the highest-scoring left wing in NHL history. Robitaille’s legacy lives on and fans couldn’t help but reminisce about the glory days while witnessing their team build on this historical foundation.
As the Kings push onward towards the playoffs, it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their winning ways and find that rhythm in the push for home-ice advantage. The Kings currently trail behind Edmonton by just two points in the standings, a close race that promises an exciting remainder of the regular season.
Will the Kings hold onto the momentum that Akron extended to their home point streak, or will they find themselves challenged as they face off against tougher opponents going forward? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: March 22, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark game for the Los Angeles Kings.
