Two goals in 44 seconds lift Kings to win at Utah

KINGS

Utah celebrates a goal by Lawson Crouse during Thursday’s game. The Kings went on to a 4-2 victory. Melissa Majchrzak / ap

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The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Kevin Fiala and Trevor Moore scored in a 44-second span early in the third period and the Kings beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-2 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

Fiala gave the Kings — second in the Pacific Division — a 2-1 lead at 4:06 with a snap shot for his 29th goal. Moore added his 18th at 4:50, beating Karel Vejmelka with a backhander.

Adrian Kempe scored his 33rd of the season for the Kings and Drew Doughty added an empty-netter. Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves.

Lawson Crouse and Jack McBain scored for Utah.

Vejmelka made 15 saves in his 19th straight start. The streak is the longest by an NHL goalie since Kuemper started 22 in a row for Arizona in 2019.

Connors signs entry-level contract: The Kings and prospect forward Kenny Connors agreed to terms on an entry-level contract, the team announced Thursday.

It’s a two-year pact for the 22-year-old, who just completed his third season at the University of Massachusetts.

His Minutemen were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament by Kings prospect goalie Hampton Slukynsky and Western Michigan after topping Minnesota in Round 1.