Quebecer Phillip Danault set a new personal high in goals scored in a season on Friday night, he who shook the strings for the 14th time of the campaign in a Los Angeles Kings uniform.
The former Canadian had never scored more than 13 goals in a single season since the start of his career, which he had achieved with the Montreal club in 2016-2017, then once more in 2019-2020.
In a 4-3 overtime victory once morest the Vegas Golden Knights, the Quebecer took advantage of a relay from Viktor Arvidsson in the second period to stand alone in front of goalkeeper Laurent Brossoit, whom he beat. from a shot in the skylight. He thus carried the mark to 3 to 3. Adrian Kempe ruled in favor of the Kings in overtime.
“This group believes in the possibility of coming back,” said Kings head coach Todd McLellan, quoted on the National Hockey League website following the game. We didn’t have that feeling in the last 15 or 20 games last season, but now we have it.”
Adding a veteran like Danault can only help the situation. Since being drafted in the first round (26th overall) at the 2011 auction by the Chicago Blackhawks, Danault now has 69 goals in 439 games. He stands out once more this season with a differential of +14 with the Kings. Only Trevor Moore is doing better at the Los Angeles club (+15).
Exceed 53 points…
Without a contract during the National League’s most recent off-season, the 28-year-old preferred to leave the Belle Province organization to settle in California, where he accepted a six-year contract worth of $33 million.
After breaking his own record for the number of goals in a season, Danault will have to work hard if he also wants to beat his personal high in points, he who had amassed 53 in 2018-2019 with the Canadian. He currently has 27 in 47 games.
The Kings (25-15-7) are the lowest drafted teams in the Western Conference, with 57 points in the standings in 49 games. The race promises to be fierce for a place in the playoffs.