The LA Kings suffered their first regulation loss of the 2024-25 season in a 6-2 defeat against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday evening at Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto struck first just under seven minutes into the game when forward Bobby McMann capitalized on a deflected pass near the crease, slotting the puck into the net for a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Auston Matthews scored his first goal of the season, snapping a shot under the crossbar after regaining control of the puck in the slot, putting the Leafs up 2-0.
Late in the first period, the Leafs extended their lead to 3-0 after a failed pinch by Vladislav Gavrikov resulted in a breakaway for McMann, who scored his second goal of the game. The Kings entered the first intermission trailing by three.
The Kings dominated the opening moments of the second period with 11 consecutive shots but couldn’t capitalize. Toronto extended its lead to 4-0 when Morgan Reilly tipped a Max Domi shot past Kings goaltender David Rittich. Rittich was then replaced by Pheonix Copley, who made his season debut after Rittich allowed four goals on 14 shots.
The Maple Leafs made it 5-0 late in the second period with a power-play goal from William Nylander, whose shot deflected off a Kings stick and into the net, giving Toronto a commanding lead after 40 minutes.
The Kings managed two goals early in the third period. Alex Turcotte got LA on the board, finishing a pass from Andre Lee after keeping the play alive in the offensive zone. Defenseman Brandt Clarke followed up with a shot that Kevin Fiala pushed over the goal line for his third goal in two games, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
John Tavares sealed the win for Toronto with a power-play goal late in the third period, bringing the final score to 6-2.
Hear postgame reactions from forwards Phillip Danault, Trevor Lewis, and Head Coach Jim Hiller following the defeat.