Flyers Crowned by Kings, 5-3

The Philadelphia Flyers (22-13-5) went into the Staples Center to battle the lowly Los Angeles Kings (17-21-4) in the midst of their holiday road swing.

The Kings made it a not so Happy New Year Eve with a 4-0 first period explosion.

Just 1:53 in, Kyle Clifford beat beleaguered Brian Elliott on a wrister and the Kings took over the kingdom.

It took all of 1:26 to elapse before the lead went to 2-0 thanks to Alex Iafallo who redirected an Anze Kopitar pass

The Kings had their mojo and pushed it to 3-0 at 8:54 off a tally from Tyler Toffoli who batted a rebound behind Elliott.

The carnage continued with an Adrian Kempe short-handed goal which ended the first with LA in command, 4-0.

Brian Elliott was pulled after allowing the four goals on 15 shots.

Neither team was able to light the lamp in the middle stanza and the score remained lopsided for the Kings.

Philly finally solved Kings netminder, Jonathan Quick (32 saves) on a Claude Giroux power-play goal but Martin Eck had an answer to keep the Kings lead at four.

Justin Braun (1g,1a) and, after a seven-game absence, Scott Laughton closed the book on the 5-3 contest.

Blue Lines: Los Angeles went 3 for 3 on the man up and threw in the shorthanded goal. The Kings came into action on a dismal 1 of 13 man advantage.

Conversely, Philadelphia had killed off 12 of 13 opportunities.

Possible disciplinary action may be levied against Los Angeles’ Kurtis McDermid who laid a head hit on Ivan Provorov.

No penalty was called but the Philadelphia bench was livid.

Carter Hart made 13 saves and allowed the one goal in his 40-minute relief appearance.

Philadelphia falls to 9-11–1 with a negative 25 goal differential in road games.

By: Kevin Neibauer

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Kevin Neibauer

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.

Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.

A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.