Follow usAlex Turcotte notched his inaugural NHL points, registering a goal and an assist as the Los Angeles Kings triumphed over the Nashville Predators with a 4-2 victory on Wednesday, concluding the last game before the All-Star break for both teams.
In a stellar goaltending performance, David Rittich made 39 saves for Los Angeles, breaking their four-game losing streak (0-2-2). The Kings’ offensive efforts were further fueled by goals from Carl Grundstrom, Trevor Lewis, and Kevin Fiala.
On the Predators’ side, Filip Forsberg and Philip Tomasino found the net, but it wasn’t enough to alter their three-game losing streak (0-2-1). Goaltender Juuse Saros made 20 saves in the effort. Grundstrom initiated the scoring for the Kings, securing a 1-0 lead at 8:51 of the first period. Capitalizing on a loose puck at center ice, he executed a two-on-one play with Turcotte, maintaining possession and beating Saros with a wrist shot from the right circle for his first goal since Nov. 25.
In another matchup, the Senators edged past the Red Wings with a 3-2 victory. Shane Pinto sealed the deal with a game-winning goal in overtime, securing a road win for Ottawa over Detroit in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams.
Closing in on the Detroit goal, Pinto received a pass from Thomas Chabot and skillfully chipped the puck over the stick of Detroit goalie Alex Lyon, who made 22 saves. Mark Kastelic and Brady Tkachuk contributed goals for Ottawa, extending their streak to two straight wins and four victories in their last six games. Despite the loss, Detroit has only suffered two regulation losses in their last 13 games.
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