Matthew Tkachuk snapped a third-period tie Tuesday, lifting the Florida Panthers to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.
The Panthers finished their four-game opening road swing with a 2-0-2 record, but the result came with concern after Brad Marchand left late in the second period following an awkward collision with the post.
Quick facts
- Florida defeated Los Angeles 2-1 in the Kings’ home opener.
- Matthew Tkachuk scored the winner at 11:20 of the third period.
- Jacob Markstrom stopped 19 shots for the Panthers.
- Seth Jones scored Florida’s equalizer early in the second.
- Alex Laferriere had Los Angeles’ lone goal, while Darcy Kuemper made 26 saves.
- The Kings dropped to 0-2-1; Florida moved to 2-0-2.
With the score even in the third, Sam Bennett carried the puck into the offensive zone and found Tkachuk arriving late on the rush. Tkachuk fired a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle past Kuemper for the deciding goal.
Los Angeles had grabbed the lead in the final minute of the opening period. Erik Haula threaded a pass across the slot to Laferriere, who was stationed low in the left circle and finished into an uncovered net at 19:00.
Florida answered at 3:49 of the second. Jones drove toward the crease on the rush and beat Kuemper high after the Panthers had survived a lengthy Kings power play, including a two-man edge.
That sequence began when Dmitry Kulikov was assessed a double minor for high-sticking with 17 seconds left in the first period. Florida’s penalty kill held the line, and Jones supplied the response shortly after the Panthers returned to even strength.
Marchand was hurt with 53 seconds remaining in the second after Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke caught him with a high stick as Marchand attacked the net. The contact sent Marchand into the right post, and he remained down while clutching his left knee.
A trainer attended to Marchand for several minutes before Brady Tkachuk and Niko Mikkola helped him off the ice. No update on his status was provided in the game account.
Markstrom turned aside 19 shots to close out the road trip, while Kuemper’s 26-save night was not enough to give Los Angeles its first win of the season.
