Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
On Monday night, the Los Angeles Kings triumphed over the Ottawa Senators with a score of 2-1 at Crypto Arena, completing a clean sweep of their season matchups. The game was closely contested, with all scoring occurring in the last 14 minutes, marking just the second home win for the Kings in their last nine outings.
The teams faced off earlier in the season on November 15, where the Kings narrowly claimed a 1-0 victory in a match that lacked excitement and featured only 35 total shots. Monday's clash also mirrored this slow pace for much of the first two periods, aside from a special moment recognizing former Kings defenseman Jordan Spence, who had recently joined the Senators.
Brandt Clarke emerged as the hero for Los Angeles, netting the game-winning goal. “It’s about playing a full 60 minutes; that’s when we’re tough to beat,” he remarked post-game. Clarke’s goal, which hit Ottawa's Artem Zub before going in, came on a power play with 6:10 left and marked his first point in 12 matches this season.
Warren Foegele contributed another goal, with Joel Edmundson providing assists on both of the Kings’ scores. Veteran goaltender Darcy Kuemper was phenomenal, stopping 27 shots and bolstering his team’s efforts. Clarke humorously suggested that Team Canada should look at him for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
For Ottawa, Fabian Zetterlund found the net but it wasn’t enough. Goalie Leevi Meriläinen made 20 stops, though the Senators notably missed key players like captain Brady Tkachuk and alternate captain Thomas Chabot, who were both out with injuries. The Senators nearly tied the game after pulling their goalie, but Quinton Byfield’s long-shot attempt hit the post.
An impressive showing by the Kings' penalty kill stymied all three of Ottawa's power play opportunities. Foegele’s goal marked a turnaround for him after a slow start, having recorded just three goals prior to this game. Coach Jim Hiller praised both Foegele and Phil Danault for their critical roles, particularly Danault's performance in faceoffs late in the match.
Earlier attempts by Ottawa included Dylan Cozens hitting the post after Kuemper blocked his first try, along with Batherson’s follow-up hitting the post as well. The Kings, too, had their opportunities, with Byfield also hitting the post in their pursuit of the opening goal.
The final score was secured through Foegele’s goal, assisted by both Joel Armia and Joel Edmundson, ensuring a resounding 2-1 win that snapped the Kings’ four-game losing streak. Armia's contributions became vital as he extended his point streak to three games, injecting confidence into the team moving forward.
The Kings displayed remarkable composure, earning their victory through a blend of sturdy defense, timely goals, and Kuemper’s steadfast goaltending against a Senators team that fought hard despite their missing talents.
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