LOS ANGELES — Alex Turcotte made his first mark in the NHL. The 22-year-old scored his first goal in 14 tries (games in a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators.

The goal came in the second period when Trevor Moore used his speed to enter the zone and then slipped a pass to Turcotte between a crowd of defenders. Turcotte scored a well-placed shot, releasing a burst of emotions afterward. 

The goal gave the Kings a 2-0 lead, a major moment for the fifth pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

“Really excited and kind of blacked out there for a little bit,” Turcotte said. “A big relief.” 

The Kings’s first goal came in the first period when Carl Grundstrom picked out the corner of the net as he skated towards the goal.

Then, Turcotte scored his goal, but the Panthers responded early in the third period to make the game 2-1. 

Nonetheless, Trevor Lewis regained the Kings’s two-goal lead late in the third period. He found space in the slot and put away a shot after Quinton Byfield slipped one to him. 

The Predators responded again, but the Kings put the game away when Kevin Fiala scored on an empty net.

David Rittich started in goal on Wednesday, making 39 saves and allowing two goals in an impressive performance.

The win was massive for the Kings, who had lost five straight games entering Wednesday. They enter a nine-day break with a small momentum boost before beginning the season’s final stretch.

“I hope that helps us flip the coin and start a stretch with wins,” Rittich said. “It is, for sure, great for us.”

Next, the Kings play the Edmonton Oilers, who have won 16 games straight and lead them by three points in the Pacific Division.