Spence scores first NHL goal, helps Kings defeat Kraken

LOS ANGELES-- Jordan Spence scored his first NHL goal to help the Los Angeles Kings defeat the Seattle Kraken 4-2 at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

"At first, I thought it got tipped, so I didn't celebrate as much," said Spence, the first Australia-born player in NHL history. "But when [Carl Grundstrom] told me he didn't tip it, I was pretty excited. It was a pretty surreal moment."
Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist for the Kings (36-22-9), who are 3-1-1 in their past five games. Cal Petersen made 23 saves.
"This is the playoffs for us, and we've shown signs of growth during it, and it's going to have to continue for whatever we have left," Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said.
Daniel Sprong scored for the second straight game for the Kraken (20-39-6) after being acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals on Monday. Philipp Grubauer allowed four goals on 27 shots.
Seattle was not able to win three straight games for the first time.
"They check hard, and there's not a lot of room," Kraken forward Morgan Geekie said. "They've got some good veteran players and a good system."
The teams play here again Monday.

Spence put the Kings ahead 3-1 at 15:47 of the second period on a shot from the right point through traffic. It was his fourth point (one goal, three assists) in nine NHL games. He made his debut March 10 against the San Jose Sharks.
"It feels amazing," Spence said. "Just going into the game, I just wanted to focus on the simple things, trying to do the simple things on the ice in the O-zone and the D-zone. It was good to see that shot go in, and it was obviously an unbelievable feeling, and I wouldn't have done it without my teammates. The first star is just another bonus, but it was an unbelievable feeling."
Sean Durzi scored a power-play goal to make it 4-1 at 3:35 of the third period, beating Grubauer at the near post on a wrist shot from the left circle after Kopitar's shot caromed off the boards.
Los Angeles has scored on the power play in three straight games (3-for-6) for the first time this season.

Kopitar made it 2-0 at 4:17 of the second. Grubauer tried to poke check Alex Iafallo's pass away from Kopitar, but the Kings captain was able to cut across the crease and score. He has five points (one goal, four assists) on a three-game point streak.
Sprong cut it to 2-1 at 6:29, breaking down the ice on a 1-on-2 rush and scoring with a wrist shot from the right circle.
"Obviously the first goal gave us life and put us into a good spot in the second period," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. "He worked hard, he shoots the puck a ton, and when he gets opportunities, he makes them count."
Gabriel Vilardi
put the Kings in front 1-0 at 15:05 of the first period by redirecting Olli Maatta's pass in from the slot. It was Vilardi's first goal in seven games back with Los Angeles; he started the season with the Kings but had been with Ontario of the American Hockey League since Nov. 17 after being in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
"It was certain things in my game back in October that I wasn't doing very well, and I think specifically it was the defense, and I think I've improved on that," Vilardi said. "But, yeah, it was nice to score, for sure. I feel like my defensive game's improved, but at the same time I do want to contribute offensively."

Geekie put in a rebound at 19:56 of the third for the 4-2 final. He scored for the second straight game and has three points (two goals, one assist) in that span.
NOTES: Kings forward Adrian Kempe had two assists. It was his ninth multipoint game of the season. … Kraken forward Victor Rask had one shot, won his only face-off and had a minus-one rating in 14:31 in his Seattle debut after after being acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on Monday. … Kraken defenseman Derrick Pouliot had one shot and a plus-one rating in 16:28 in his Seattle debut after being claimed off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.