March 13, 2026; El Monte, New York, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Andrze Kopitar (11) scores a goal past New York Islanders goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin (30) in the first quarter at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Image Anze Kopitar inched closer to matching the Kings’ all-time scoring record by scoring his second goal in a three-goal flurry in the first period of Los Angeles’ 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Friday in El Monte, New York.
Kopitar, who spent 20 years with the Kings and plans to retire after the season, scored his 448th career goal, bringing his career scoring total to 1,306. That’s one step behind Hall of Famer Marcel Dion.
Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe also scored first for the Kings, who clinched the second and final Western Conference wild card spot with 69 points, one point ahead of the idle San Jose Sharks.
Goalie Darcy Kuemper made 21 saves.
Emil Heineman scored both goals for the Islanders, who failed to secure their fifth return win since returning from the Olympic break due to a multi-goal deficit.
Goalie Ilya Sorokin made 24 saves for the Islanders, who remain tied for second in the Metropolitan Division with the Pittsburgh Penguins with 79 points each. The two teams are also tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the top Eastern Conference wild card spot, one point ahead of the Boston Bruins.
An Islanders’ turnover after Bo Horvat’s faceoff win over Quinton Byfield led to an unassisted goal with 3:33 to play by Moore. Scott Mayfield collected the puck, but his shot was blocked by Moore, who ran in alone and beat Sorokin stickside.
Kopitar doubled the lead with 6 minutes, 53 seconds left when Mikey Anderson’s shot between the blue line and the left faceoff circle hit Kopitar into the net from the right crease.
Another turnover helped the Kings take a 3-0 lead with 1:32 left. Artemi Panarin intercepted Matthew Schaefer’s pass in the neutral zone and passed to Kempe. Kempe caught Brayden Schenn with his left arm and stuck the puck in before it flew past Sorokin.
Heinemann started the Islanders’ comeback attempt at 10:46 of the second. The left winger stationed in the slot extended his stick to redirect Adam Pelec’s shot, and the puck bounced off the right post.
Heineman did something similar with 3:38 to go, when Schaefer’s shot grazed Heineman’s stick as it glided back into a Kuemper screen.
New York outscored the Kings 11-4 in the third, with the game ending when Joel Edmundson blocked Schaeffer’s shot just before time expired.
–Field level media
