The Los Angeles Kings crushed the Florida Panthers by a 4-1 count in Saturday afternoon action from Staples Center, sending the goal-challenged Cats to their fifth straight defeat. Florida fell below .500 for the first time this season.
Despite getting outshot 10-5 in the first period, the Panthers took a 1-0 lead into the dressing room on Nick Bjugstad's fifth goal of the 2015-16 campaign. The Cats had a golden opportunity to add to the lead in the second period, but failed to convert on a 5-on-3 power play.
The Kings exploded after the kill, getting goals from Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty (PPG) and Anze Kopitar in a 4:18 span while finishing the middle frame with twenty shots to just four from the outclassed Panthers.