Kings Find Grit, Grind Out Victory
A pair of blue-collar goals powered the Kings to a nail-biting victory, exemplified by the relentless work ethic of Brett Foegele and Tanner Jeannot.
Foegele put the Kings ahead 3-2 early in the third period, sneaking a wraparound shot past the goaltender just 2:22 into the frame. His marker came after Jeannot had pulled the Kings within striking distance, busting through for a crucial second-period goal at the 4:40 mark.
Jeannot’s third goal of the season was a testament to his tenacity, as he jammed in his own rebound from a flurry of shots at the right post. His initial backhand ricocheted off the boards before finding its way back to Jeannot, who wouldn’t be denied.
The duo showcased a palpable chemistry throughout the night, racking up assists on each other’s goals. The connection was especially significant for Jeannot, who notched his first multipoint game since joining the Kings. Foegele, meanwhile, added another multipoint performance to his resume, mirroring his two-goal showing against the San Jose Sharks on October 24.
A Nod to Blue-Collar Play
Defenseman Travis Edmundson lauded the contributions of Foegele and Jeannot, praising their gritty style of play.
“They’re just hard workers,” Edmundson said. “The way the game was going, it was going to be a couple of greasy goals, and they’re just around the net. That’s their game, and nothing too flashy. … And every team needs guys like that.”
Kings coach Jim Hiller echoed Edmundson’s assessment, attributing the team’s resurgence to the tenacious forechecking of the Foegele-Jeannot line, which also featured center Quinton Byfield.
“We hadn’t established anything in the O-zone before they got that going in the second period,” Hiller explained. “Then we had some consecutive shifts. But we needed that goal [from Jeannot]. … I thought that goal was probably the biggest goal of the night, just kind of get us back and get us a bit of a reward for coming out strong in the second.”
Hiller’s praise highlighted the critical role the line played in igniting the Kings’ offense after a sluggish first period. Their ability to consistently pressure the puck and create scoring opportunities in the offensive zone proved pivotal in turning the tide of the game.
Turning Point in Offense
Jeannot’s second-period goal not only served to cut the deficit but also breathed life into the Kings’ attack. His relentless pursuit of the puck and unwavering determination during the play illustrated the unwavering grit that characterized the Kings’ performance.
The Kings subsequently capitalized on the momentum shift, culminating in Foegele’s go-ahead goal early in the third period. Both goals were a direct result of the hard-nosed, blue-collar approach that defined the line’s performance.
How has the LA Kings’ emphasis on “grit and grind” contributed to their success this season?
## Grit and Grind: A Winning Formula for the LA Kings
**(Host):** Welcome back to the show! Tonight’s game highlighted exactly the kind of gritty determination that’s defined the LA Kings season so far. Joining us now is [Alex Reed name], a long-time Kings observer and hockey analyst.
**[Alex Reed name],** thanks for being here.
**(Alex Reed):** My pleasure. It was a thrilling game to watch!
**(Host):** It certainly was! The Kings seemed to wear down their opponents with sheer willpower. Brett Foegele and Tanner Jeannot really exemplify that blue-collar work ethic.
**(Alex Reed):** Absolutely! Those two were a force. Foegele’s wraparound goal in the third period was just a glimpse of his relentless energy, and Jeannot’s go-ahead goal was truly a testament to his perseverance. He didn’t give up on the play and eventually got rewarded.
**(Host):** And not only were they scoring goals, but they were setting each other up as well. It seems like there’s a real spark between them.
**(Alex Reed):** Their chemistry is undeniable. They’re playing with confidence and feeding off each other’s successes.
**(Host):** It’s worth noting this is Jeannot’s first multi-point game since joining the Kings, and Foegele is proving to be a consistent threat, [[1](https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/_/id/3151036/warren-foegele)].
**(Alex Reed):** That’s right. Jeannot is finally finding his groove with the Kings and Foegele has been a steady contributor all season.
**(Host):** A great win for the Kings tonight. Thanks for sharing your insights, [Alex Reed name].
**(Alex Reed):** My pleasure. I look forward to seeing more of this hard-working Kings team.
