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![Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson misses the save on...]()
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson misses the save on a goal shot by Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala, while Kings right wing Gabriel Vilardi (13) begins to celebrate during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![The Los Angeles Kings celebrate after left wing Kevin Fiala,...]()
The Los Angeles Kings celebrate after left wing Kevin Fiala, center left, scored a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings left wing Alex Iafallo (19) skates for...]()
Los Angeles Kings left wing Alex Iafallo (19) skates for the puck against Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) prepares to shoot...]()
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) prepares to shoot while Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy, obscured at right, defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) passes the puc,...]()
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) passes the puc, while Vegas Golden Knights center Paul Cotter (43) falls during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) and Los Angeles...]()
Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) and Los Angeles Kings left wing Brendan Lemieux (48) collide during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault, right, passes the puck...]()
Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault, right, passes the puck while Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3), center Blake Lizotte...]()
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3), center Blake Lizotte (46), left wing Kevin Fiala (22) and right wing Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrate after Fiala scored a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings fans cheer a Kings goal during the...]()
Los Angeles Kings fans cheer a Kings goal during the third period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) and Los Angeles...]()
Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) and Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) look for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) skates for...]()
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) skates for the puck against Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Vegas Golden Knights center Phil Kessel (8) looks for an...]()
Vegas Golden Knights center Phil Kessel (8) looks for an opening before shooting during the second period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24), right wing Viktor...]()
Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24), right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) and left wing Alex Iafallo (19) celebrate after Arvidsson scored against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
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![Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson, partially seen at...]()
Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson, partially seen at right, scores a goal on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) while center William Karlsson (71) watches during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
By MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS — Newly named All-Star Kevin Fiala scored three goals to help the Kings beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-1 Saturday night and edge closer to their Pacific Division rivals.
The second-place Kings have 52 points, just four behind the Knights, who have a game in hand. The Kings have won two of the three meetings, with one game between the teams left April 6 in L.A.
The Kings also ended the Knights’ four-game home winning streak and three-game overall win streak.
Fiala had his first multigoal game this season and second career hat trick. His other was April 7, 2021, against Colorado.
Matt Roy and Viktor Arvidsson also scored for Vegas. Arvidsson has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past six games. Teammate Gabriel Vilardi had three assists against the Knights.
Pheonix Copley made 19 saves for his eighth victory in nine games, but his one loss during that streak was a 5-2 defeat Thursday to the Boston Bruins. He came within 2: 15 of his second career shutout before Jonathan Marchessault’s slap shot finally put the Knights on the scoreboard.
Fiala had an empty-netter with 1: 27 remaining to complete his hat trick and give him 13 goals on the season.
The Kings took control in the second period, scoring twice and holding Vegas to four shots on goal. Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy benched goalie Logan Thompson after that period and inserted Adin Hill.
Two key players returned to the Golden Knights after being out. Marchessault missed the previous six games because of a lower-body injury, and defenseman Alec Martinez returned after a four-absence after blocking a shot Dec. 27 against Los Angeles.
Marchessault entered Saturday’s game tied for third on the team with 14 goals, and Martinez was the NHL leader with 132 blocked shots.
CAPTAIN STRIKES AGAIN
Kings captain Anze Kopitar reached 500 career points on the road with an assist in the second period, the sixth active player to reach that mark. He also is one point from 1,100 points overall. Kopitar has been especially effective against the Knights, with 31 points in 28 career games against them, the most of any Vegas opponent. Kopitar also has points in three consecutive games (one assist, two goals).
UP NEXT
Kings: Host Edmonton on Monday night.
Golden Knights: Host Florida on Thursday night.
