Couturier scores twice to help Flyers crown Kings
LOS ANGELES -- Sean Couturier scored twice and the Philadelphia Flyers used a second-period run to upend the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 in their home opener on Friday night before 18,453 at Staples Center.
Nick Cousins recorded two assists for the Flyers (1-0-0), who ended a four-game skid in openers on the road.
Goaltender Michal Neuvith stopped 23 of 25 shots for Philadelphia.
Goalie Jeff Zatkoff had 26 saves for the Kings (0-0-2), who opened the season Wednesday by falling at San Jose.
Philadelphia was up 4-1 heading into the third period. A goal by Brayden McNabb ricocheted off the stick of Mark Streit and into the net to pull the Kings within 4-2 at 3:01 of the period but they failed to score again.
The Kings played their first game without standout goalie Jonathan Quick, who is sidelined for an unknown period after suffering a lower-body injury in the loss to San Jose.
After a scoreless first period, the Flyers jump-started their offense by scoring two goals just 48 seconds apart early in the second period. Boyd Gordon converted a pass from Nick Cousins on a rush at 3:55 for the initial score.
Then Couturier, on an assist from Shayne Gostisbehere, sidestepped Zatkoff and dropped a winner into the net at 4:43 for a 2-0 Flyers lead.
The Flyers weren't done. Couturier scored again after a Kings turnover when he delivered at 12:04 of the second for a 3-0 Philadelphia cushion. It was the third multi-goal game of Couturier's career.
Mark Streit added to the Flyers' point parade with a goal with 1:57 left in the second period to make it 4-0.
Drew Doughty put the Kings on the board by zipping a rocket past Neuvirth with 1:08 remaining in the period to slice the Flyers' lead to three.
Los Angeles outshot Philadelphia 10-4 after one period. However, the Flyers enjoyed a healthy 21-9 edge in the second for a 25-19 advantage through two periods.
NOTES: The Kings honored members of their 1967-68 club to kick off their 50th anniversary in the NHL. In its inaugural game, Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia 4-2 at the Long Beach Arena. The Flyers also are celebrating their 50th season in the league. ... The Flyers scratched D Radko Gudas (suspension), C Brayden Schenn and LW Roman Lyubimov. LW Tanner Pearson (suspension), D Tom Gilbert and C Nic Dowd were inactive for the Kings. ... Los Angeles swept the series last season. ... The Flyers led the all-time series 83-42-17 entering the matchup. ... The two teams meet again on Feb. 4 in Philadelphia. ... The Flyers visit the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, while the Kings play the Wild at Minnesota on Tuesday.