Kings Hold on, Beat Canadiens 3-2

In the first game of the post Jonathan Quick era for the Los Angeles Kings, they beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2.

It was a less than ideal start for the Kings, with Blake Lizotte going off for high-sticking 25 seconds in. 

The Kings killed Lizotte's penalty and this gave new addition Vladislav Gavrikov his first game action as a King.

It was a physical game early, with the Kings fourth line getting engaged early. 

Just over eight minutes in, Gavrikov took his first penalty as a Kings. Going off for interference.

Josh Anderson would capitalize on a weird play in front, knocking in a clear attempt from just in front of the net to put the Canadiens up 1-0.

Not an ideal first contribution from Gavrikov. 

The Kings then got a power-play chance of their own after Quinton Byfield drew a hold. 

The Kings were unable to capitalize on the man advantage.

The rest of the period settled into a fairly turgid pace. Not much happened at either end as both teams seemed to be feeling each other out.

After the penalty, Gavrikov improved. He was aggressive in his defending and activated in the offensive zone on a few occasions.

Considering he's been out for a while and this is his first game with the Kings — after just one practice — it was a solid period from him.

The pace picked up in the second period and the physicality continued.

Just under eight minutes into the period. Alex Iafallo tied the game at one. Off a faceoff, Gabe Vilardi picked up the puck at the goal line, toe dragged a defender and set up Iafallo for a one-timer.

Iafallo beat Jake Allen over the shoulder and tied the game.

The goal brought the Kings back to life and they began to carry play in the second. 

Arthur Kaliyev had a huge chance back door on the power play he couldn't finish.

Then a few minutes later Byfield was robbed backdoor after nice feed from Anze Kopitar.

Vilardi drew a penalty with four seconds left, giving the Kings 1:56 on the power play heading into the third period.

The Kings continued to carry play into the third period and took their first lead of the game 7:27 in.

Vilardi, who's seemed to find his game again since returning from injury, found a puck in front and buried over Allen.

Just over a minute later, the Kings doubled their lead. 

Who else but Kopitar?

After Byfield won a few battle along the board, he fed Kopitar in the slot from below the goal line. And Kopitar made no mistake, beating Allen glove side.

The two goal lead didn't last long though. After just over a minute, the Canadiens new forward Denis Gurianov hammered a slap shot on the rush and beat Copley over the glove. 

The Kings were able to slow the game down after the goal and tighten up defensively.

The Canadiens had a few chances with the net empty, but the Kings held strong to beat the Canadiens.

Kings are back in action Saturday against the St. Louis Blues.