Turcotte scores first NHL goal as Kings defeat Predators

Rasmus Turcotte, son of former Montreal Canadiens’ first-round pick Réal Turcotte, scored his first career goal in the NHL on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Nashville Predators 4-2. It took the 22-year-old American center, whose grandfather is from Quebec, almost four years to achieve this milestone after being drafted fifth overall in 2019. Turcotte also recorded an assist on a goal in the third period.

Jonathan Quick was solid in net for the Kings, making a season-high 39 saves to secure the victory. The Predators currently find themselves outside of playoff contention for the first time since December 9th, after losing their last three games.

In the first period, Turcotte retrieved the puck in the neutral zone and went on the attack with a sharp shot to beat Nashville’s goaltender and open the scoring. In the second period, Turcotte raced across the ice and set up the long-awaited goal to make it 2-0. Taking advantage of a lucky rebound, the Kings extended their lead in the third with their 24th goal of the season, and the Predators answered back with just 3:25 remaining to stay within reach. However, the game was sealed by an empty-net goal from the Kings’ side.

After missing the previous two games due to illness, Rasmus Turcotte returned to the Kings’ lineup and contributed with an assist. On the other hand, for Nashville, Noah Juulsen was absent from the game after leaving Monday’s contest in the first period in an overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Quebecois defenseman, who participated in today’s morning skate, has recorded 4 goals and 10 assists in 46 games.

Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in overtime, securing their second consecutive victory. They rallied in the third period to win their ninth game this season, the most in the NHL. Troy Terry tied the game with just 1:01 left in regulation, and Frank Vatrano sealed the deal in OT with his 22nd goal of the campaign. Goaltender John Gibson made 26 saves.

In the losing effort, Quebec native Marc-Édouard Vlasic scored in his third consecutive game and for the fifth time in his last nine games. Anaheim struck early, just 2:12 into the game, with Jakob Silfverberg sending the puck to the net and Isac Lundestrom scoring from the slot. Anthony Duclair then equalized on the power play, positioning himself in front of the net. Despite several key sequences, including denying Calen Addison twice with his right pad, John Gibson eventually yielded to Vlasic’s shot from the blue line late in the second period, before the Ducks turned the game around.