ELMONT, NY — The Los Angeles Kings maintained their dominance over the Islanders on Friday night at UBS Arena, complicating New York’s playoff race with 16 games remaining. The Kings’ 3-2 win, driven by a three-goal first period, kept the Islanders (37-24-5) in the third automatic playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division, tied on 79 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and only two points ahead of the fourth-place Columbus Blue Jackets. Both Pittsburgh and Columbus have a game in hand over the Islanders, with all three teams playing on Saturday.
This was New York’s ninth loss in their last 10 games against the Kings, with their sole win on Dec. 9, 2023. The Islanders almost rallied from a three-goal deficit for a second consecutive game, thanks to two goals from Emil Heineman. However, Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper withstood intense pressure in the closing 10 minutes.
Los Angeles had nearly as many goals in the first period as the Islanders had shots (4). A turnover by Scott Mayfield at the blueline led to Trevor Moore’s breakaway goal, beating Ilya Sorokin on the blocker side at 3:33, giving Kings a lead they would keep. Mikey Anderson’s shot was initially saved by Sorokin, but Casey Cizikas inadvertently kept the puck near the goal, allowing Anze Kopitar to score at 14:07. The Kings’ third goal came with 1:32 left in the first period when Adrian Kempe one-handed an Artemi Panarin pass past Sorokin.
Heineman scored for the Islanders at 10:26 in the second period, deflecting an Adam Pelech shot into the net. He added his 18th of the season at 3:38 in the third period, redirecting a Matthew Schaefer shot over Kuemper’s glove.
For more on the Islanders, visit AMNY.com
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