Kings lose to streaking Golden Knights, who get two goals from Max Pacioretty

William Karlsson had the winning goal, Max Pacioretty scored twice, and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Kings 4-2 on Friday night at Staples Center.

Robin Lehner made 23 saves as the Golden Knights (21-6-1) won their fifth straight. It was the first start for Lehner since Feb. 7 because of a concussion.

Alex Iafallo and Trevor Moore scored for the Kings (12-11-6), who have dropped three of four. Jonathan Quick made 29 saves.

Karlsson put Vegas back in front 3-2 with 4:45 left in the second period by tipping Jonathan Marchessault’s shot from the point. Karlsson played after recording a false positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day.

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Highlights from the Kings’ 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night at Staples Center.

William Carrier scored his first goal of the season to make it 4-2, deflecting Nicolas Hague’s shot at 10:34 of the third.

Moore tied the score at 2 for the Kings at 6:18 of the second, redirecting Matt Roy’s shot from the blue line in.

Pacioretty got his third and fourth goals during a five-game point streak to spot the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead after the first. He buried a one-timer from the slot at 10:17 off a centering pass by Mark Stone.

Pacioretty’s second goal, his 16th of the season, wasn’t quite as clear cut. A lengthy video review by the NHL’s situation room was required to determine the puck crossed the line while in Quick’s glove off Pacioretty’s backhand at 12:53.

The Kings’ Alex Iafallo (19) celebrates his first-period goal with teammates.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

The Kings pulled back a goal with 17.2 seconds left in the first when a charging Iafallo chipped in the rebound of Anze Kopitar’s shot to make it 2-1.

Karlsson became the second player in the Golden Knights’ brief history to reach 200 points, getting there in his 255th game. Marchessault leads the franchise with 202 points, but Karlsson leads his linemate in all-time goals with 89.

The Kings and Golden Knights will play again in Los Angeles on Sunday.