Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes handles the puck in front of Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)

Hughes continues hot streak, Canucks overcome loss of Boeser to beat Kings 4-2

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quinn Hughes had a goal and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks overcame the loss of top scorer Brock Boeser to beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Thursday night.

Boeser, who scored a career-high 40 goals last season and leads Vancouver with six goals this year, did not return after taking an illegal check to the head from Kings forward Tanner Jeannot.

Conor Garland scored on the subsequent five-minute power play after Jeannot received a match penalty, tying the score at 1. Jake DeBrusk and J.T. Miller also scored, and Kevin Lankinen made 25 saves.

Quinton Byfield and Vladislav Gavrikov scored for Los Angeles, and Darcy Kuemper finished with 19 saves.

Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson also left the game because of injury. He was cut badly after taking Filip Hronek’s shot to the face late in the second period.

Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) in congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)

Takeaways

Canucks: If Boeser is out for any length of time, it would be terribly damaging to Vancouver’s hopes of reaching the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Kings: Byfield scored for the second straight game after failing to find the net through the 13 opening contests to start the season.

Key moment

Hughes showed off some fancy footwork to create separation, allowing him to fire a shot from distance that gave the Canucks a 3-1 lead early in the third period.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson, center, is helped off the ice by Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) after he was hit in the head with the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)

Key stat

Hughes has a goal and five assists in his past three games, and his 14 points puts him third among defencemen behind Colorado’s Cale Makar (25) and Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey (16).

Up Next

The Canucks face the Oilers on Saturday to start a six-game homestand, and the Kings host the Blue Jackets.

Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (61) jumps out of the way of a shot on goal in front of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Vincent Desharnais, left, as Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, blocks a shot by Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson (44) watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)

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