LA Kings: Three takeaways and the standouts versus Minnesota Wild
Game number two of this young season is in the books, and for the LA Kings, it was another heartbreaker. After losing their first game of the season to the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime, it was the same bat time, same bat channel, as the Kings lost to the same team by the same score.
While they at least picked up two points in their first two games, losing these games as they did was a gut punch. They held a 3-1 lead in both games, but on Saturday, the Wild scored with 1.4 seconds left to send the game to overtime and then won it with 11 seconds left. Now that we’ve caught our collective breath let’s take a look at some takeaways from the LA Kings second game of the season.
Takeaway #1: The special teams is living on the edge.
The good news is the LA Kings have yet to give up a power play goal. In the opener, the Kings killed all six Minnesota power plays, and Saturday night, they killed every one of the Wild’s five power plays — eleven penalty kills in two games.
Allowing that many power play chances per game is truly living on the edge. The Kings’ immediate schedule includes series against Colorado and St. Louis, and if Los Angeles provides those teams that many power play chances, it could very well be lights out.
The penalty kill units have been spectacular so far this season, but the power play units have been, for the most part, dormant. Like the Kings, the Wild have been generous in giving chances with the man advantage, but the Kings have only capitalized on one of them – and that was in game one. On Saturday night, the Kings looked particularly frustrated entering and establishing solid chances on the power play.
Perhaps it’s a side effect of being off for so long combined with a short training camp and no exhibition games, but if the Kings are going to take the next step this season, the power play must improve.
The LA Kings are getting secondary scoring through two games
Takeaway #2: Protecting the crease is a team effort.
For long stretches of this game, LA Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was under siege. The Wild scored 21 seconds into the game by crashing the net, and it was a formula they would stick with throughout the game. The Fox Sports West broadcast reported with six minutes left in the third period, Minnesota held a 12-1 advantage for the game in high danger chances.
Minnesota was able to crash the net as they did by establishing a tenacious forecheck – although the Kings did have success breaking that mostly in the second period using some speed of their own. One could make an educated guess here and say Coach McLellan will be talking about “moving your feet” at the next practice.
Takeaway #3: Secondary scoring is finally here.
For the past few years, the LA Kings have relied heavily on Anze Kopitar and the first line to provide the scoring. This became especially evident when Jeff Carter was injured and the offensive drought that followed. That was then, and this is now, however, and it appears Kopitar may finally have some help carrying the offensive load.
On Saturday night, Carter continued his resurgence, picking up two assists while taking four shots on goal. Free-agent pickup Andreas Athanasiou also picked up his second goal of the season. Highly-touted rookie Gabe Vilardi also picked up his first of what the Kings hope are many goals this season. The Kings will need to continue getting offensive contributions up and down the lineup, but Saturday night looked like a good sign of things to come.
The LA Kings players that stood out
Despite the gut-wrenching loss Saturday night, there were some bright spots. As noted, Jeff Carter looks so far like he’s back, and he’s taking his linemates along for the ride. Blake Lizotte and Andreas Athanasiou both lit the lamp, with Carter assisting on both goals. It looks like good chemistry is quickly developing between the three,
Yes, he gave up four goals, and yes, he took the loss, but Jonathan Quick was outstanding on Saturday. He faced 44 shots and had Wild players in his crease seemingly all night long, but like the Jonathan Quick we all know, he battled hard right till the bitter end.
Without Quick, the Wild probably win this game in regulation. The save he made on Marcus Johansson with a minute left in the first period was highlight-reel worthy.
Next. Why a healthy Jeff Carter is so good for the team. dark
It didn’t really show on the scoreboard, but Drew Doughty and Olli Maatta looked more comfortable with each other than they did in the first game. This was a very bitter pill for the Kings and their fans to swallow, but there is a lot of hockey left to play. Onto the next game.