PANTHERS BLANKED BY KINGS’ BACKUP GOALIE
Panthers can’t find net against Kings backup Kuemper.
It was almost
LOS ANGELES — like old times as Los Angeles Kings winger Johnny Brodz- inski and Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad shared
the ice again.
They were linemates from youth hockey all the way through Blaine High School in Minnesota. However, they were opponents this time when Brodzinski scored his first NHL goal to help lead the Kings to a 4-0 win over the Panthers on Saturday.
Brodzinski scored on a backhander at 2:23 of the third to beat James Reimer top shelf.
“It was a great feeling,”
Brodzinski said. “Getting a few shots every game, not a lot of grade-As, but finally found a little bit of (space)
there in the slot and got one away.”
Backup goalie Darcy Kuem- per stopped 24 shots for the Kings for his eighth career shutout and first since Jan. 21, 2016, with Minnesota. Los Angeles scored three goals in the third period to
put away Florida and end a four-game losing streak. All those losses came at home after Los Angeles went 11-2-2 in its first 15 games. Brodzinki’s goal started
the third-period fireworks. It wasn’t how he figured he’d scored his first goal, either.
“I’ve imagined it in my mind for quite some time. I just thought it was always going to be a forehand shot,” Brodzinski said.
The Panthers (7-10-2) had won their two previous games and didn’t imagine this result either, espe- cially after they had 14 shots on goal in the first period.
Bjugstad was happy for his friend and planned to chat with him after the game.
“Would’ve rather had it
happen against a different team at a different time, but congrats to Johnny,” Bjugstad said.
“His career has been good
so far,” Bjugstad added. “His college career was awesome. The sky is the limit for him if he keeps going. Super nice
kid.”
Tyler Toffoli scored at 8:14 of the first period on a delayed penalty, beating Reimer for a tap-in goal, his ninth of the season. Alex Iafallo battled to protect the puck behind the net to help set up the goal, and Drew Doughty made a nice pass
to Toffoli. Dustin Brown also assisted.
Andy Andreoff scored from in front of the net, putting the puck between Reimer’s legs with 4:41 remaining. Trevor Lewis added an empty-netter for the fourth goal.
Noteworthy: Panthers right wing Radim Vrbata left the game during his first shift after getting hit in the face by a puck. He was holding a towel over his face to control the blood and was
assisted off the ice. Vrbata didn’t return and will be re-evaluated this morning.
... Florida has scored just two power-play goals in its past 17 chances.