Adrian Kempe's OT power-play tally takes Kings past Blues
Adrian Kempe scored an overtime power-play goal to lift the visiting Los Angeles Kings past the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Alex Laferriere also scored, off a Kempe assist, as the Kings snapped a four-game winless streak (0-2-2).
Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 17 saves in his first appearance since Oct. 13. He had been sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Justin Faulk scored for the Blues and goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 26 shots in defeat.
Pavel Buchnevich's hooking penalty gave the Kings their 4-on-3 power play in OT, and Kempe scored from atop the right circle at 1:50.
The Kings controlled the scoreless first period while outshooting the Blues 10-5 and blocking seven shots. Los Angeles enjoyed a terrific start while putting the first six shots on goal during the first seven minutes of the game.
Binnington kept the Blues even by making several big stops, including a stellar glove save on Phillip Danault after Blues winger Jake Neighbours turned the puck over in front of his net.
The Kings outshot St. Louis 9-3 in the second period while taking a 1-0 lead. Kempe created the scoring opportunity by poking the puck from Faulk as he exited his zone.
That turnover gave Laferriere a clean break-in, which he converted with a deft move to his backhand at 1:47.
After the Blues failed to convert a power play -- with Neighbours unable to redirect Brayden Schenn's cross-ice pass to the left post -- Kevin Fiala fired a shot off the crossbar as the Kings just missed doubling their lead.
After Blues defenseman Philip Broberg drew a penalty against Kuemper while driving to the net in the first minute of the third period, the Blue capitalized on the power play to tie the game 1-1.
Faulk stepped into the slot to convert Robert Thomas' pass from behind the net at 2:18.
--Field Level Media