In Los Angeles, the Kings used a two-goal outburst from Sean Walker and Dustin Brown 51 seconds apart to help drive them to a 3-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights 
on Sunday afternoon.
“The start was definitely better, and obviously you want to maybe focus on it a little bit more because it’s an afternoon game,” LA’s Anze Kopitar said. “I thought we did a pretty good job starting the game and then just kept rolling.”
The loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Knights.
Calvin Petersen made 41 saves to get the win.
“We took 16 goals out of our lineup, it’s not easy,” Vegas forward Mark Stone said with Max Pacioretty out of the lineup . “Guys got to step up. Can’t just have one or two guys going every night.”
LA split the two-game set with Vegas.
“The start the other night, I think we waited for something to happen. Tonight was different,” Los Angeles head coach Todd McLellan said.
Tomas Nosek scored the lone Vegas goal.
“I think the whole second period was their momentum,” Vegas head coach Peter DeBoer said. “I think, even prior to them scoring, they came out in the second and just were the hungrier team. They were winning all the battles, all the races. The challenge didn’t help.”
Jeff Carter also had a strike for the Kings.
LA improved to 13-11-6.
“To have [Carter] and Athanasiou execute that play and score, I’m sure it takes a lot out of the opposition,” McLellan said. “It gives us a little bit of breathing space, puts them in a situation where they’ve got to pull the goaltender again, and just a lot more comfort.”
Vegas dropped to 21-7-1 with the loss.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves in the loss.
“I don’t think even in the third period we got enough of a push,” Vegas’ Reilly Smith said. “They did a good job keeping us to the outside and their goalie made big saves.”
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