Kings edge Jets, 3-2

In Winnipeg, it was a game of two teams now going to in opposite directions.

The visiting Los Angeles Kings downed the Jets on Saturday, 3-2.

For LA, it was two points in their climb up the ladder in the Pacific Division, for the Jets, it was a lost opportunity with the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights vying for the wold card.

“We played the game we wanted early,” Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said. “Halfway through the night we started taking penalties and gave them every opportunity to get back in. … Most of that penalty kill came in the second half of the game, so I really thought it was two different games.”

Gabriel Vilardi, Anze Kopitar, and Adrian Kempe  were the Los Angeles strikers.

Cal Petersen made 25 saves in the LA win.

“Cal stepped up and played a great game,” Los Angeles’ Sean Durzi said. “I thought a couple times we hung him out to dry and, obviously, he made the big stops for us, which was huge.”

Nikolaj Ehlers and Adam Lowry scored for the Jets.

“I thought the second half of the game, we had a lot of chances,” Lowry said. “They are a team that they don’t give up much anywhere on the ice, they don’t give up much around the net. We got our chances. Their goalie played well. … They did a good job of defending, goalie made key saves. I think we did a good job getting around the net and getting chances around their net.”

The Kings improved to 38-23-10.

The Kings have played 13 of their 19 games on the road.

“This was a tough run,” McLellan said. “Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg is not an easy place to play for a lot of reasons. Each one of the teams is a little bit different. They all have superstars who are game-breakers. Outstanding goaltending for the most part. Tough buildings to play in. Not an easy travel schedule.”

The Jets dropped to 33-27-10.

“The faster you play, I think the more, from the stands and up top, it looks like we’re all over them,” the Jets’ Pierre-Luc Dubois said. “I think the faster we play, the less complicated and more simple we keep it. It’s hard to play against teams like that, they do it over and over and over again. Even when you do get the puck, you don’t have any room, you don’t have any time because they are all over you.”

Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves in the Winnipeg loss.

“There were a couple of goals (against) tonight that weren’t shot in, that went in off the feet,” Winnipeg coach Dave Lowry said. “And those are unfortunate when they go against you.”