In Ottawa Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings’ Adrian Kempe was the difference maker as scored the game0tying goal late in regulation an then scored the shootout goal that gave the Kings a 3-2 win over the Senators.
“I’m just trying to play my game and play the way the team plays,” Kempe said. “I get more confidence after every game. That’s good for me. I just try to skate as much as possible and create opportunities for my linemates and play the way the other guys want to.”
Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves through extra time and then stopped two more shots in the skills competition.
Alec Martinez also scored for the Kings who got back to winning after a tough loss in Toronto; LA improved to 7-1-1 on the season.
“I think what we loved about his game tonight was we gave up a goal there, which was kind of deflating for us, and he almost had that look in the eye that he wanted to go out and make a difference,” Stevens said. “He used his speed to turn the puck over. Then we called him in the shootout, he almost had that look like he wanted to be called in the shootout. You just love that in a player. Good for him.”
Ottawa got goals from Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson.
The game-tying goal came on a muffed puck handling behind the Senators net.
Mike Condon’s attempted pass was turned over and ended up in the back of the net.
“It obviously should have been two points,” Condon said. “It’s a tough play behind the net. Johnny did a good job talking, he went back there. It’s obviously not on him. He called reverse, which means the puck goes back the way it came. I just heard a friendly voice and I threw it that way. I don’t even know who picked it up.
“That’s on me. We practice that a lot. We practice our communication. That was just a mental mistake on my part. That’s a tough way to lose a game.”
[WATCH: All Kings vs. Senators highlights]
Condon made 41 saves as the Sens dropped to 4-1-4 on the campaign.
“So watch the tape, learn from it, use it as a motivator, probably do another 1,000 reps now. I guess 200 isn’t enough,” Condon added.
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