Los Angeles Kings’ Blake Lizotte (46) brings the puck up the ice after taking it away from Carolina Hurricanes’ C.J. Smith (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) blocks a shot of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82), center, is congratulated on his goal by teammates Teuvo Teravainen (86) and Jesper Fast (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) deflects a shot with Carolina Hurricanes’ Jesper Fast (71) and teammate Sean Durzi (50) looking on during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes’ Vincent Trocheck (16) battles with Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Los Angeles Kings’ Brendan Lemieux (48) stretches for the puck as he is hampered by Carolina Hurricanes’ Jesper Fast (71) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Los Angeles Kings’ Blake Lizotte (46) brings the puck up the ice after taking it away from Carolina Hurricanes’ C.J. Smith (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jesper Fast (71), second right, looks up and watches a replay of his goal as teammates congratulate him during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jack Drury (72) celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Los Angeles Kings’ Brendan Lemieux (48) battles for the puck with Carolina Hurricanes’ Tony DeAngelo (77) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jack Drury (72), right, is congratulated on his goal by teammates Brett Pesce (22) and Josh Leivo (41) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Los Angeles Kings’ Phillip Danault (24) tries to regain control of the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
RALEIGH, N.C. — Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jesper Fast scored in the opening two minutes and they each added an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-1 on Saturday night.
Brett Pesce, Teuvo Teravainen and Jack Drury also scored for the Hurricanes. Brady Skjei had two assists to help Carolina won for the sixth time in its last seven games. Frederik Andersen stopped 32 shots, improving his career record to 10-1-3 against Los Angeles.
The Hurricanes have won both games since their roster was rearranged because of COVID protocols with the top two scorers and captain among those sitting out. Prior to Saturday’s game, the team learned that Sunday’s home game vs. Nashville and Tuesday’s game at Boston have been postponed because of COVID outbreaks on those teams.
Blake Lizotte scored late in the second period in his second game back for Los Angeles after a five-game absence due to COVID protocols. The Kings snapped a four-game points streak.
Jonathan Quick made 28 saves for the Kings as he snapped a streak of six straight starts without a regulation loss at 4-0-2. He gave up more than three goals for the third time this season.
Carolina playing after having its game at Minnesota on Tuesday night postponed due to the Hurricanes’ COVID-19 situation.
Kotkaniemi’s goal came 37 seconds into the game. Just 59 seconds later, Fast produced a power-play goal.
Drury’s third-period goal gave him two goals in two NHL games.
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THANKS FOR COMING
The Kings put goalie Cal Petersen on the COVID list earlier Saturday. That meant Jacob Ingham from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL was summoned to be the backup. Quick ended up playing in a fifth straight game for Los Angeles.
UP NEXT
Kings: Sunday at Washington to finish a four-game road trip.
Hurricanes: With Sunday’s home game vs. Nashville postponed and Tuesday’s game at Boston called off, the next game is slated for Thursday night at Ottawa.
