LOS ANGELES - A four-goal second period by the Los Angeles Kings propelled the team to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Neither team was able to score in the opening 20 minutes, just like their meeting in Buffalo earlier this season. The Sabres enjoyed the only two poer plays in the first period after minor penalties on Arthur Kaliyev and Alexander Edler, respectively.
The Kings outshot Buffalo 7-5 in the first period, but were unable to beat Craig Anderson.
Buffalo's first penalty of the game was called on Zemgus Girgensons early in the second period. However, the Sabres were able to kill off the cross-checking minor without surrenduring any scoring chances to Los Angeles.
A turnover in the offensive zone midway through the second period resulted in a shorthanded goal for Los Angeles to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Adrian Kempe converted on the chance while Mikey Anderson was in the penalty box for hooking.
The Kings doubled their lead with another special teams goal later in the middle period. This time, Kaliyev scored off of a face-off win on the power play while the Sabres were a man short thanks to a too many men on the ice minor. The goal came just six seconds into the man advantage.
Two more goals late in the second period ballooned the Kings lead to 4-0 after 40 minutes. Sean Walker finished for his third goal of the season after Anderson was not able to get the puck out of the Sabres end. Less than a minute later Matt Roy capped the scoring with his seventh goal of the year.
Viktor Arvidsson's third point of the night came early in the third period when Anderson did not know where the puck was in his crease. Arvidsson jammed the puck into the net to score on the power play and extend Los Angeles' lead to 5-0.
Dylan Cozens got the Sabres on the scoresheet and ended Pheonix Copley's shutout attempt midway through the third period. Cozens' 18th goal of the season was assisted by Victor Olofsson and Casey Mittelstadt. The goal brought Buffalo within four of the Kings, 5-1.
Another Olofsson pass found the mark late in the third period to trim the Sabres deficit to 5-2. This time the forward found Peyton Krebs cutting to the net for a power play goal. Mittelstadt also assisted on the special teams answer.
Game Summary
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: none
LAK: none
Second Period
BUF: none
LAK: 9:20 - Adrian Kempe (27) SHG (Blake Lizotte); 12:35 - Arthur Kaliyev (10) PPG (Philip Danualt, Viktor Arvidsson); 18:41 - Sean Walker (3) (Philip Danault, Viktor Arvidsson); 19:14 - Matt Roy (7) (Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield)
Third Period
BUF: 10:16 - Dylan Cozens (18) (Victor Olofsson, Casey Mittelstadt); 15:09 - Peyton Krebs (7) PPG (Victor Olofsson, Casey Mittelstadt)
LAK: 5:14 - Viktor Arvidsson (14) PPG (unassisted)
Penalty Summary
First Period
BUF: none
LAK: 9:23 - Arthur Kaliyev (2 min., high-sticking), 17:41 - Alexander Edler
(2 min., hooking)
Second Period
BUF: 2:28 - Zemgus Girgensons (2 min., cross-checking); 12:28 - Team (2 min., too many men on the ice)
LAK: 8:14 - Mikey Anderson (2 min., hooking); 14:09 - Kevin Fiala (2 min., tripping)
Third Period
BUF: 3:51 - Peyton Krebs (2 min., hooking); 14:05 - Dylan Cozens (2 min., roughing)
LAK: 13:21 - Viktor Arvidsson (2 min., slashing); 14:05 - Alex Iafallo (2 min., roughing)
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Viktor Arvidsson
2. Philip Danualt
3. Sean Walker
What's Next
The Sabres remain in the Sunshine State for the middle game of their three-game road trip. Buffalo travels to Anaheim to face-off against the Ducks at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday night at Honda Center. Pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR SportsRadio 550 begins at 9:0 p.m. with Brian Koziol.