LOS ANGELES — The Kings stepped on the scale once more and asserted that they belonged in the ring with any heavyweight. They completed a season sweep of the team with the NHL best record, the Winnipeg Jets, by way of a 4-1 win on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Jets had won nine of 12 game s entering the clash and last month pieced together the longest winning streak in the league this season – 11 straight. They also have the most road wins in the NHL in addition to several other regular-season superlatives, including a league-leading defense spearheaded by Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck in net. Yet the Kings beat them in convincing fashion at home twice now and were 3-0-0 thanks to a gutsy overtime win in Winnipeg between those triumphs. They’re now 12-1-0 against firm playoff teams (top three in their division) at home this season, but 3-10-0 on the road. They’re also 11-3-1 overall in 15 games since acquiring Andrei Kuzmenko at the trade deadline. Kuzmenko catalyzed the Kings’ effort with a goal and a primary assist after Trevor Moore opened the scoring and before Adrian Kempe tacked on an empty netter, on which Kopitar added an assist. Kuzmenko has nine points in his last seven games after getting a goal and two assists in an 8-1 drubbing of San Jose on Sunday. Because of two trades, Kuzmenko ended up facing the Jets six times this season, with his teams winning four of those games. Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves for the Kings (42-23-9, 93 points), who are two points ahead of Edmonton (43-26-5) for second place in the Pacific Division with eight games left in the regular season. Cole Perfetti scored the Jets’ lone goal. Hellebuyck stopped 16 of 19 shots to bely his reputation. The third period saw the Kings lock down their two points, despite having to kill their first two penalties of the game, both tripping minors, to Vladislav Gavrikov and Quinton Byfield. They nullified both infractions with aplomb before Kempe sealed the Jets’ fate with 55 seconds to play. He scored his team-leading 32nd goal uncontested by Hellebuyck, who had gone to the bench for an extra attacker. In the second frame, the Kings appeared to assume control of the game even beyond the scoreboard and had the opportunity to put the game away with a mid-period power play. But they failed to convert and allowed a goal to Perfetti, who exited the penalty box and tallied from the right faceoff dot 10 seconds after his infraction had expired. It was Perfetti’s second goal in two games as he amassed nine points in his past 10 appearances. The Kings, however, conserved their two-goal edge at the second intermission thanks to Kuzmenko’s second takeaway that led to a goal on Tuesday. He stripped Logan Stanley at the red line and then dashed ahead on a partial two-on-one rush, selling a pass with his eyes and shoulders both slipping a crafty shot under Hellebuyck’s pads. The early going was largely a tactical battle but the Kings managed to break through with a bounce – and a goal – 8:28 after the opening faceoff. They added another 1:22 later to mount a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes. An own-zone giveaway by Winnipeg allowed Joel Edmundson, who skated in his 600th career game on Tuesday, to flick a shot attempt that was deflected downward by Moore. The puck hit the ice, Moore’s skate and then the nylon behind Hellebuyck. It was the pride of the Conejo Valley’s fourth goal in seven games and his 17th of the season. The Kings’ second goal was more picturesque, a rush tally from the top line. Kuzmenko’s neutral-zone takeaway sent his trip off on an odd-man rush, with Kempe finding him between the circles, only to see Kuzmenko eschew a straight-on show and dish to Kopitar for a one-timer from the right side. It was the captain’s 19th goal of 2024-25. NOTES Longtime broadcaster Nick Nickson, who will retire at season’s end, was honored before the game, and the Kings did him justice on the ice. The Kings extended the franchise record with their 28th home victory of the season. They still have five home games left. More to come on this story. Related Articles Kings sign prospect Otto Salin to 3-year, entry-level deal High-flying Jets pay a visit to challenge Kings’ home-ice magic Kings’ offense comes alive in record-setting win over Sharks Kings collapse late in loss to Maple Leafs Kings come home from shutout loss for a weekend double dip ...read more read less