Los Angeles Kings Blank Leafs 2-0

By MH
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: January 12, 2015

(Courtesy of @holzmanphoto)

The Los Angeles Kings blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 tonight at the Staples Center. While the Kings have been struggling with consistency this season, tonight was one of the best efforts of the season.

The Kings were coming off a tough loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. They lost in a shootout 5-4. What has been an ongoing problem for the Kings is their inability to have a strong start. They usually surrender goals to the opposition in the early going and dig themselves into a hole.

Tonight the Kings were the ones to come out the gates fast. Anze Kopitar scored a wrist shot goal in the first 37 seconds of the game that was assisted by All-Star Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter. With the early goal many believed this game was going to be a shootout but that was far from the case.

HIGHLIGHT: Anze Kopitar scores 37 seconds into the game against @MapleLeafs, giving @LAKings a 1-0 lead on 1/12/15. http://t.co/ev2y60owOQ

— Kings Vision (@KingsVision) January 13, 2015

Both team battled back and forth but no goals would be scored until the final minute of the game. After the Leafs pulled their goalie in an effort to score late and force overtime, Marian Gaborik scored an empty net shot to seal the win. The goal was assisted by Kopitar and Carter.

Many fans were nervous when Kopitar went down in the middle of third period after getting hit in the face by a shot.

Kopitar gets up, heads to the dressing room after spending time on the ice after being struck in the face with a Phaneuf shot. Scary.

— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) January 13, 2015

With Tanner Pearson already on the IR, the Kings could not afford another injury. Kopitar was quickly back on the ice and made the assist to put the game away.

Tonight’s game was a solid victory for the Kings and it was just what the doctor ordered. Up next, they will take on the New Jersey Devils at the Staples Center on Wednesday night.

Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the LA sports teams!