Kings hang on, end Panthers' 5-game winning streak

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings ended the Florida Panthers’ five-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist, Anze Kopitar scored a power-play goal, and the Kings (9-3-3) won at home for the second time in eight games (2-3-3).

“It’s no secret that we need to make this building a little tougher to play in, and I think tonight’s a good step in the right direction,” said Cam Talbot, who made 30 saves.

Sam Reinhart scored for a third straight game and extended his point streak to six for the Panthers (10-5-1). Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves.

“It wasn’t going for us all night,” Reinhart said. “I think we were trying to do a little too much, and give them credit, they kind of bring that out of you.”

Fiala put Los Angeles ahead 1-0 at 1:20 of the first period when he scored on a backhand off the rush.

“Tonight, you saw the energy and the drive and the battle and the commitment,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “If we get that all the time, we got one [heck] of a player. And it’s there. He’s been a little bit frustrated and we’re trying to help him, but I was proud of him tonight. He made some real good plays and responded well.”

Kopitar made it 2-0 at 13:53 of the second period on the power play with a one-timer in the slot set up by Fiala. The Kings went 1-for-2 on the power play after failing to score in six tries over the previous two games.

“Yeah, we were itching to get a goal on the power play too, so nice to get one and I guess it ended up being the game winner, so even better,” Kopitar said.

Reinhart scored when he beat Talbot over his left glove hand with a wobbling shot from the right inside hash marks at 11:45 of the third period to make it 2-1. Reinhart has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) during his point streak.

“We were able to stick with it and kind of get ourselves back to have a fighting chance,” Reinhart said. “You give them credit that they’re a team when they have the lead, it’s not easy to come back on them.”

The Panthers were 0-for-5 on the power play and also had Bobrovsky off the ice for an extra attacker for over two minutes at the end of the game.

“Our penalty kill was outstanding,” McLellan said. “I think of it as 6-for-6 because we had another 2 1/2 minutes with the goaltender pulled. Got one on the power play, so usually when you find a way to end up on the positive side of the special teams you have a real good chance of winning the game.”

NOTES: Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois left the game after losing his balance on a breakaway at 13:35 of the third and colliding hard into the post. Dubois struggled to put weight on his left leg as he skated back to the bench and went straight to the dressing room. “He’s getting checked out, so probably be able to give you a lot more tomorrow,” McLellan said. … Fiala has 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 15 games, including four points (two goals, two assists) in his past four. ... Los Angeles is 7-0-1 when scoring first. … Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura sustained a lower-body injury and did not play in the third period. Coach Paul Maurice said he does not believe the injury is significant. … Florida forward Carter Verhaeghe had an assist to extend his point streak to four games (three goals, three assists).