Dion Phaneuf vs. Jake Virtanen

If it takes pre-game chirping to fuel Virtanen’s game, he should get the green light to yak it up again with Phaneuf. The Canucks winger told the Kings blueliner he was going to own him Saturday. Phaneuf responded with a big hit on Virtanen, and Virtanen then threw a bigger one on Phaneuf. The exchange got Virtanen into battle mode. He set up Adam Gaudette’s first NHL goal, finished with five shot attempts, two take-aways and a blocked shot in 20:17 of ice time, his second-highest of the season. The maturation in Virtanen’s game has produced eight goals and he’s on pace for a career-high 26.