NHL: Phillip Danault opens up at home against Devils big bad luck

Phillip Danault scored his first hat-trick of the season at home on Sunday afternoon, and the Los Angeles Kings took advantage to inflict a 5-1 rout on the New Jersey Devils.

Danault's previous 11 goals this season were scored on opposing ice, in his first 59 games. Danault's last regular season goal in front of home fans was scored on March 6, 2023.

Danault scored the second hat-trick in his career, after scoring three goals on December 22, 2018 against the Vegas Golden Knights, while he was defending the colors of the Montreal Canadiens.

It was the Quebecois player who got the Kings back on track, after Los Angeles allowed Timo Meier to open the scoring after just 15 seconds of play in the first period. Coming off the bench following the substitution, Danault was forgotten behind the Devils' defenders and opened the scoring with a fine wrist shot, following a lovely pass from Kevin Fiala.

Danault returned to the attack midway through the second half, while the Kings took a 2-1 lead thanks to a goal from Alex Laferriere. Midway through the period, Danault backed the offense as a third-stringer during overflow and accepted a great pass from Matt Roy in the slot to score in an open cage.

Viala increased the Kings' lead to three goals after a few minutes of strong play with a good shot from the wings. Fiala concluded his day's work with a goal and an assist.

Danault completed his hat trick into an empty netter late in the game. Trevor Moore handed the puck to Danault outside the zone and Danault pushed the puck into the back of the net, though former teammate Tyler Toffoli was hooked.

Cam Talbot stopped 30 shots to sign his fourth win in his last five starts. Prior to this streak, Talbot had suffered an 11-game losing streak.

The Kings will return to action against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, while the Devils will take on the Florida Panthers.

Coyotes are making life difficult for the Capitals

Logan Cooley scored a stunning goal in the first period to help the Arizona Coyotes win 5-2 Sunday afternoon over the Washington Capitals.

Midway through the first period, the Coyotes' 2022 first-round pick accepted a nice, long pass from Dylan Guenther, before firing the puck high on an unanswered breakaway from Charlie Lindgren.

Gunther was at the heart of all the battles in the match with a goal and two assists. This was the first three-point game of Guenther's career.

At the end of the second half, Gunter attempted a pass into the slot, but the ball was deflected into the net by John Karlsson.

Jason Zucker and Michael Kesselring also scored in the Coyotes camp, while Nick Schmaltz confirmed Arizona's victory with a clean goal. It was the second straight win for the Coyotes, who ended a streak of 15 straight losses on Friday.

Karel Vejmelka had a good performance in front of the Coyotes cage as he made 24 saves. Sonny Milano and Anthony Mantha are the only Capitals players to score against him.

At the other end of the ice, Lindgren allowed four goals on 28 shots.

With this defeat, the Capitals remain six points behind the Philadelphia Flyers and third place in the Capital Region, allowing them to reach the playoffs. Washington also trails the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning by seven points, the two teams that were drafted.