Kings vs. Oilers: Score tied, 2-2, after the first period

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The Kings’ struggles continue, though there were some signs of shaking out of their doldrums against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night at Staples Center.

The score was tied, 2-2, after one period, but the Kings could hardly feel satisfied given that the Oilers are in last place in the Western Conference. The Kings have lost seven of their last eight games.

Edmonton went ahead early, after the Kings turned puck over in the neutral zone. Dustin Penner slid down the left side with the puck, past the goal line, but managed to flip the puck in lacrosse-style for a 1-0 lead six minutes into the game.

The Kings’ Marco Sturm tied the score when he was in the right place at the right time at the end of a 4-on-2 rush. The puck came off defenseman Kurtis Foster’s stick and went right to Sturm, who just slipped a shot into the corner of the net 11 minutes into the game.

Anze Kopitar ended a nine-game goal-less streak by redirecting a loose puck in front of the net 15 minutes into the game. Andrew Cogliano tied it a minute later, flicking in a pass he received at the goal crease.

--Chris Foster