Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
It was a nice hockey crowd on a Wednesday in Las Vegas.
But the Sin City fans left T-Mobile Arena disappointed after division rival, the Los Angeles Kings, built a 3-0 lead in the third period and skated out of the ice house with two points after the 3-1 win.
It was the second straight regulation loss for the Golden Knights, who lost, 4-2, to the Ducks in Anaheim Sunday.
The Kings’ veteran goalie Cam Talbot was sharp throughout the game, which drew an announced crowd of 18,330.
VGK’s Mark Stone thought it was a “bland” even game most of the night, with the difference being two Kings power play goals.
VGK coach Bruce Cassidy thought the Kings’ efforts on their power plays were a big difference tonight.
The Knights were without two centers — Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy, plus two defensemen, Zach Whitecloud and Nic Hague.
Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore scored for the Kings in the second period and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored power play goal early in the third period for the 3-0 lead.
The VGK fell to 11 wins against two losses, plus a tie. The Knights at 11-2-1 have 23 points, while teh Kings are now 8-2-2 for 18 points.
William Karlsson broke the scoreless run by Vegas with a goal in the third.
The Kings’ Anze Kopitar added an empty-netter for the 4-1 final.
Vegas plays San Jose Friday night.