Phillip Danault scored a hat trick, Kevin Fiala contributed a goal and two assists, and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Sunday.
Alex Laferriere also scored, Cam Talbot made 30 saves, and the Kings have won eight of 12 games under interim coach Jim Hiller.
“Obviously, we’re playing way better now,” Fiala said. “We had a slump for a few months, but we’ve been playing better since the All-Star break. We’re playing for each other and love each other, and you can feel it right now.”
Nico Daws was replaced in the second period after allowing four goals on 13 shots for the Devils, who have lost five of their last seven games. Timo Meier scored, and Akira Schmid made nine saves in relief.
“I don’t think it’s about effort; it’s more between the ears,” said New Jersey forward Erik Haula. “We keep making similar mistakes, and at this time of the year, it’s gonna hurt you.”
Despite an unexpected deflection off the stanchion that gave the Devils an early lead seconds into the game, the Kings delivered one of their most complete performances since Hiller took over on Feb. 2.
Danault tied the game at 7:56 on a breakaway set up by Fiala’s alert stretch pass, which was the winger’s fourth assist in a three-game streak.
Laferriere, who was born in Chatham, New Jersey, and grew up attending Devils games, scored his ninth goal of the season with 5:11 left in the first period to put the Kings up 2-1.
“We talked from the start about getting back to our identity, and I think we’re pretty close right now,” Hiller said.
A longtime nemesis of Los Angeles during his time with the San Jose Sharks, Meier got his 15th goal in 31 career games against the Kings just 15 seconds into the game.
Quinton Byfield’s pass in his own zone took an awkward redirection right to Nico Hischier, leading to his fifth assist in three games, setting up Meier.
“We just took a breath, and from that point on we dominated the game,” Fiala said of the Kings’ response.
The Kings kept up the pressure in the second period, with Danault scoring into an open net with 7:37 left and Fiala adding a power-play goal 34 seconds later, sending Daws to the bench early.
“We got the start we wanted, came out and scored a goal,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “You can do many great things in the game, and then you can beat yourself. I thought we beat ourselves.”
Danault, who hadn’t scored at home in the first 27 games of the season, secured an empty-netter with 2:13 remaining. It was Danault’s first hat trick for the Kings and the second of his career.
“He has done so many good things the whole season, and he deserves it, and today was his day,” Fiala said.
Fiala has had an impressive week, picking up three goals and five assists in three games since leading scorer Adrian Kempe hurt his wrist against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. But Fiala credited his increased production to focusing on playing a complete game instead of pushing to generate more offense.
“I don’t try to chase the game, which maybe I did a little bit at the start of the year,” he said. “I just try to be calm and patient, and it will come.”
UP NEXT
- Devils: Host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
- Kings: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
