While their brief road trip has taken them to snowy places, the Kings can maintain a sunny disposition thanks to some recent success.
They have won consecutive games for the first time in almost two months, they have scored eight goals in their previous two games and on a national stage they earned their most exciting win of the second half if not the entire season Saturday. There, wing Tyler Toffoli scored all three goals in what turned out to be his final game as a King. He was traded to Vancouver Monday in exchange for a prospect, two draft picks and a roster player.
The Kings defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 behind Toffoli’s hat trick, which included two goals in the final minute of what had been a tie game outdoors at the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium. They also got outstanding goaltending from Jonathan Quick and checked effectively against a formidable Colorado team that features a frontrunner for the NHL’s most valuable player and another for its rookie of the year.
“An incredible night from (Toffoli) and his line, but I really think the win was team deep,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said.
The Kings also visited owner Phillip Anschutz at a luxury resort in Colorado Springs, which McLellan mentioned alongside the win in terms of memorable moments from the Stadium Series events.
“We got to spend time at the Broadmoor. Our owner had us there and we appreciated that. So, that was a really unique experience. We were up in the canyon,” McLellan said. “I know I’m not even talking about the game, but you asked me what I’m going to remember, that part.”
Next up, the Kings square off with the Jets in Winnipeg Tuesday, another team with no shortage of offensive pop and that has designs on the postseason. They feature four players with 50 or more points–forwards Kyle Connor (60), Mark Scheifele (59), Patrik Laine (54) and Blake Wheeler (51). Their overhauled defense corps has been led offensively by former New York Ranger Neil Pionk, who has racked up 38 points. Connor Hellebuyck has provided stability and leadership between the pipes, remaining near the top of the league in wins this season. Currently he ranks second with 25.
Two longtime regulars are gone from the Winnipeg lineup. Forward Bryan Little sustained a perforated ear drum after being hit a puck in November. He’s played just seven games this year and will miss the remainder of this campaign. Burly defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has not played this season amid murky circumstances, and appears to be headed toward the termination of his contract. Those absences and their bubble status in the playoff race could make the Jets buyers once again at the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Left wing Mathieu Perreault has also been out of action this month.
With a victory in Winnipeg, the Kings would equal their season-best winning streak of three consecutive games back in mid-November.
Toffoli, an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, had four goals in his last two games, taking over the team lead with 18 and earning the NHL’s Third Star of the Week. Center and team captain Anze Kopitar has four assists over that same span, maintaining his team lead in assists and points. With Toffoli gone, the focus of trade rumors shifts to defenseman Alec Martinez and other Kings as the deadline fast approaches.
Kings at Winnipeg
When: 5 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Bell MTS Place
TV/Radio: Fox Sports West/iHeartRadio
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February 18, 2020 at 03:21AM
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Kings look to gather momentum after exciting win over Colorado - The Daily Breeze
"exciting" - Google News
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