LOS ANGELES – Two minutes and twenty-four seconds was all the Kings needed to defeat Detroit on Wednesday night. Justin Williams scored an early power-play goal and Jonathan Quick did the rest recording his fourth shutout of the season and 35th of his career, as the Kings beat the Red Wings 1-0 in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center.
The Kings have now won a league best eight straight games, and have defeated Detroit for the first time since February 27th, 2013. The clean sheet was just the Red Wings third shutout loss all season, and Los Angeles’ 200th in franchise history.
“It’s not about the streak,” said Quick after the game. “We’re just trying to get into the playoffs. We are only in the playoffs right now by a fraction, and there is still a lot of hockey to play.”
Jake Muzzin opened the game with a beautiful blue line slap shot that deflected off William’s stick and into the net for the first goal of the game. At first, the goal was credited to Muzzin, but after further review, it was changed to Williams just before the end of the first period.
“I knew it hit me,” said Williams of the goal. “When things are going well, you want to keep them going well. You have to work harder to keep them going well.”
Quick made 20 saves as he started his 15th consecutive game in net for Los Angeles; the longest such streak of his career. It was his 201st career victory, extending the franchise record for a goalie.
“Some nights you see the saves he makes and you think he isn’t going to let anyone score tonight,” added Williams. “He’s been a rock throughout this win streak, and he will continue to be.”
Red Wing’s goalie, Jonas Gustavsson was also impressive in a spot start for starter Jimmy Howard. Gustavsson stopped 26 shots in just his fourth game in net all season.
“Gus [Gustavsson] played well tonight,” said Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock. “I think Gus plays well all the time, he just doesn’t play since he’s injured so much, when he plays he plays well. He gives us a chance most nights.”
The Kings have been sensational during their current 8-game winning streak and it all starts on defense and special teams. The Kings have stopped a season-high 15 consecutive penalty kills and have not surrendered more than two goals in a game in nearly two weeks.
“I was talking to Trevor [Lewis] on the bench and I told him, ‘if we can keep them 0 for 5 on the penalty that will be the key,” said Williams about the Kings penalty kill tonight. “Obviously, that’s what won us the game tonight.”
The Kings avenged an early loss in Detroit when the Red Wings routed the defending Stanley Cup Champions 5-2 in the Motor City. The Kings kept pace with the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference playoff race who also won on Tuesday.
The Kings have not lost since a 3-2 defeat to the Florida Panthers. During the streak, they are 4-0 at home and 4-0 on the road. They have outscored their opponents 26 to 13.
Game Notes:
The Kings honored legendary left winger Tony Granato before the game. Granato is the current assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings and thanked the fans and the city of Los Angeles for his six years he spent in a Kings uniform. Actors Taylor Kitsch and Chloe Grace Moretz were in attendance. As was broadcaster, Al Michaels and reality TV star, Khloe Kardashian. Henrik Zetterberg missed his second straight game for the Red Wings with a head injury.
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