LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings narrowly edged out the Florida Panthers 2-1 at Crypto.com Arena on January 22, 2025, delivering yet another low-scoring thriller as both teams continue their pursuit for playoff positioning.
The matchup featured the Panthers battling through the second leg of back-to-back games, having already emerged victorious against the Anaheim Ducks the night prior. With the Kings entering the contest on the heels of recent struggles, they were determined to find their rhythm again.
The first period unfolded without any goals, as both teams traded blows defensively, setting the stage for what promised to be a tight game. Despite the anticipation, neither team could find the back of the net, reflecting the strong defensive strategies on display.
It was the Panthers who broke the scoreless tie early on in the second period, with Evan Rodrigues lighting the lamp at 7:27 on the power play, assisted by Anton Lundell and Mackie Samoskevich. This marked Rodriguez's eighth goal of the season, giving the Panthers the lead.
But the Kings didn’t take long to respond. Just under six minutes later, Samuel Helenius netted his first goal of the season at 6:41, capitalizing on relentless pressure. The Kings proved they were not out of the fight, equalizing and re-igniting the energy within the building.
Adrian Kempe then took the reins, scoring the go-ahead goal for the Kings at 13:12 of the third period, with assists coming from Kevin Fiala and Brandt Clarke. The Kings’ offensive cohesion was clearly evident, and their ability to capitalize on scoring chances separated them from the Panthers.
Both teams continued to engage heavily throughout the remainder of the game, leading to several close calls but no additional tallies on the scoreboard. With the Kings’ Darcy Kuemper standing tall between the pipes and preserving his team’s lead, they were able to maintain their edge and put the game away.
Statistically, the Kings outshot the Panthers 28-25, demonstrating their focus on offensive pressure. Despite both teams getting power play opportunities, it was Los Angeles’ stellar defensive play and sharp goaltending from Kuemper—who notched 24 saves—that shone through as the decisive factor.
After the game, Panthers assistant coach Paul Maurice commented, "We like the way we competed, especially after taking the lead. We have to do more to drive possession and create more scoring chances consistently. These are the big ones, right?" His emphasis on tightening their game will be pivotal as Florida hopes to correct their momentum moving forward.
Sam Bennett, who has emerged as one of the key players for the Panthers, echoed similar sentiments about the team’s performance and their response to the developing challenges: "He’s been awesome, especially coming back strong. We’ve got to keep proving ourselves as we push toward playoffs."
Overall, this game is illustrative of the tight-knit game typical of NHL matchups, especially as teams jockey for position as the season progresses. The Kings’ bounce-back win marks them as contenders strong enough to take significant points off teams, even under pressure.
Looking ahead, both teams will need to address their tactical approaches to maximize scoring opportunities and continue to execute defensively as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. The game style exhibited Wednesday night appears as both teams gear up for the challenges of high-stakes hockey, where goals and defensive plays take center stage.