Kings open preseason with overtime loss in Utah

The Los Angeles Kings began their 2024-25 preseason on Monday, facing the Utah Hockey Club in their first game in Utah.

It was an electrifying atmosphere that got both teams into the game early on.

After Jack Studnicka overran Connor Ingram with a strong drive to the net, two fights broke out between Liam O'Brien and Jeff Malott and Travis Barron and Studnicka.

The first period was not all about fistfights, however, as Lawson Crouse and Alex Kerfoot both scored power play goals and gave Utah a 2-0 lead before the first break.

After a slow start to the second period, the Kings responded through Malott and a power play goal from Alex Turcotte to tie the game.

The game remained tied until the third period, when both teams swapped goalies, allowing Kings fans to see Carter George in NHL action for the first time.

The game went into overtime, where Clayton Keller sealed the deal just 19 seconds later after a mistake by George and Brandt Clarke gave him a great opportunity.

After the game, the teams had to face a five-round shootout, which the Kings also lost. The Kings' only goal was scored by Taylor Ward.

George was defeated twice in the shootout.

Overall, this Kings team, which was largely made up of Reigns players and rookie players, can hold their heads high after a strong performance in Utah.

Utah fielded a much stronger team, including some of its best players like Keller, Crouse, Nick Schmaltz and Mikhail Sergachev.

The Kings' top players included Alex Turcotte, Akil Thomas, Trevor Lewis and Brandt Clarke.

You can never take too much from a preseason game, but the Kings team that came in forced an NHL team into overtime, and that's impressive.

Erik Portillo also put in a good performance, as he didn't score on either of the power play goals and made some brilliant saves.

His first appearances against NHL competition looked promising.