LOS ANGELES — Despite missing four players, including their two biggest stars, the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers had more than enough to top the Kings, 5-2, on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The Kings lost for the third time in four games overall and slipped to 1-4-2 at home this season after being the NHL’s best home team last season. The Panthers continued their step-forward, step-back title defense after losing to the Ducks, 7-3, on Tuesday night. Both teams dangled precariously above a .500 points percentage.

Anže Kopitar and Corey Perry each scored for the Kings. Anton Forsberg stopped a meager 19 of 24 shots.

With no Matthew Tkachuk or Aleksander Barkov so far this season, Florida got two goals from Brad Marchand with Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell

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