Kings defeat Red Wings to open three-game homestand at Crypto.com Arena – Press Telegram

LOS ANGELES –– The schedule ultimately favored the Kings, and they took full advantage by defeating the tired Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The Kings finally have a chance to recharge after being away for nearly three weeks at the start of the season and playing their first seven games on the road, including three straight sets. They were fresh and rested as they began a three-game homestand.

The Red Wings played their second game in 22 hours in the penultimate game of their four-game road trip. The Ducks lost 6-4 Friday.

Adrian Kempe scored twice and the Kings also got goals from Mikey Anderson and Tanner Jeannot. Trevor Lewis had two assists. David Rittich made 17 saves in his final outing as the No. 1 seed, while Darcy Kuemper nursed another lower-body injury.

Jacob Moverare made his season debut at defense, replacing the injured Caleb Jones. Alex Turcotte’s return to the squad after an upper-body injury, including Jeannot’s return from a three-game suspension, shuffled the forward lines and led to Andre Lee being reassigned to the minors.

Cam Talbot returned to Crypto.com Arena for the first time since stopping the Kings last season, stopping 37 of 40 shots.

Although Larkin’s backhand as he fell to the ice overturned Rittich’s shutout with 1:27 left in the game, Kempe finished the third period with an open goal in the final minute and a breakaway just 15 seconds into the closing frame. Kempe scored both goals in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado. His four goals in two games moved Alex Laferriere into the team lead, bringing his total to nine.

Over the course of 40 structured minutes, the Kings nearly tripled the Red Wings’ shots to 29-10 and allowed very few high-quality opportunities.