Jets Lose to Kings, Suffering First Road Defeat of the Season
Adrian Kempe scored his 200th NHL career goal, and Drew Doughty set a new Los Angeles Kings record for goals by a defenseman as the Kings defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves, while Kevin Fiala added a late power-play goal to secure the Kings’ first home victory of the season in six games. For the Jets, Connor Hellebuyck also recorded 23 saves, but the team suffered its first road loss in five attempts.
Kempe's Milestone Goal and Team Changes
Kempe opened the scoring late in the first period, netting his sixth goal of the season by attacking the crease and finishing Joel Armia’s centering pass from the trapezoid. Kempe became the ninth player from the 2014 draft class to reach 200 goals, achieving this milestone in 644 games.
To boost offense, the Kings shifted Armia to the top line and reunited Mikey Anderson with longtime defensive partner Doughty. The changes paid off immediately as both Armia and Anderson assisted Kempe’s goal.
Doughty Sets Franchise Record
Doughty scored his 162nd goal for the Kings with an empty-netter 54 seconds before the game ended, surpassing Rob Blake to become the franchise’s all-time leading goal-scoring defenseman in 1,221 games.
Corey Perry’s Career Milestone
Kings forward Corey Perry played his 1,400th career NHL game, becoming the 44th player in league history to reach this mark. Among active players, Perry joins elite company with Brent Burns (1,511 games), Alex Ovechkin (1,503), and Anze Kopitar (1,464).
"Kempe is the ninth member of the 2014 draft class to reach 200 goals, getting there in 644 games."
"Doughty passed franchise stalwart Rob Blake with his 162nd goal in 1,221 games."
Overall, the Kings’ strategic lineup adjustments and strong individual performances led them to a crucial home win over Winnipeg.
Summary: The Kings ended their home game drought with a solid 3-0 win against the Jets, highlighted by milestones from Kempe, Doughty, and Perry, supported by key lineup changes and strong goaltending.