LA Kings vs. Ducks: Three takeaways and standouts in 3-1 loss
What was once old is now new. The LA Kings continue to search for their identity after a frustrating loss.
For the first 21 years of their existence, the LA Kings primary colors were forum blue and gold. Starting in the 1988-89 season, the team did a complete uniform overhaul by changing the primary colors to black, silver, and white, and the main logo was now the “flying chevron.” On Tuesday night, forum blue and gold met the 90’s when the LA Kings debuted their new reverse retro uniforms – and they looked outstanding!
Onto the game itself. For the second consecutive game, Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid dropped the gloves three seconds into the game, this time battling his old roommate Nicholas Deslauriers to a standstill. After that, it was all Ducks, as one could wonder if, in the spirit of reverse retro, the Kings had left their legs at the Fabulous Forum.
The Kings hadn’t played a game in four days, and it showed. The team’s passing was, to put it kindly, awful, and the Ducks seemed to be a step ahead of them for the entire period. The shots were 15-4 at the end of the first period, and the LA Kings were quite frankly very lucky to be down only 1-0.
The second period didn’t start any better for the Kings. Veteran David Backes scored 17 seconds into the start of the period, and it began to feel like it was going to a long night for the forum blue and gold faithful. Then a bright spot occurred.
This was Arthur Kaliyev‘s first game in the NHL. At the 5:32 mark of the second period, he scored his first NHL goal by driving the net and banging home a loose puck. With that, the score was 2-1, and the Kings were right back in the game. Despite the “Arty Party,” they were still outshot by an 18-7 margin in the second period and went into the locker room down by a goal.
Arthur Kaliyev nets his first career NHL goal. 2-1 Ducks #LAKings #ArtyParty pic.twitter.com/OvwffyCaee
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) February 3, 2021
The third period would at least see the LA Kings put almost as many shots on goal as they did in the first periods, but the offense was dried up. An empty-net goal by the aforementioned Nicholas Deslauriers would seal the 3-1 Anaheim victory – despite an outstanding 40 save effort by Cal Petersen, who was clearly the Kings best player.
So what did we learn from this game?
LA Kings vs. Ducks: Get back to the basics.
This was an ugly game for the LA Kings; there is no other way to put it. Being flat for the first few minutes after a four-day layoff is understandable, but they never seemed to be able to shake off the rust all game.
As @alex_faust just said, Ducks have averaged 23.8 shots-per-game. They got 15 in the 1st period. #LAKings
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) February 3, 2021
The Kings also had problems with breakouts and puck control all night long. This was exaggerated by the fact that for whatever reason, they just could not complete clean, tape to tape passes. Without being able to complete passes and breakouts, the Kings could not get any consistent offensive zone time (except the Kaliyev goal), which in the end doomed the team to defeat.
Any team can have a bad game once in a while – it happens to everybody. If the Kings are going to contend for a playoff spot this season, these kinds of games cannot become the norm.
As coach Todd Mclellan said in his post-game press conference, “we have 20 capable players capable of playing better than they did tonight”.
LA Kings vs. Ducks: The MASH unit.
It is no secret the LA Kings are missing four regulars in their lineup right now. Forwards Blake Lizotte and Andreas Athanasiou are on the covid list and should be back sooner than later. Defensemen Sean Walker and Matt Roy both suffered injuries in the Kings last game, and they will most likely be out longer term.
Like a bad game, injuries happen to every team – especially when dealing with covid situations. It’s how it is dealt with that can make the difference between a winning and losing season.
If Walker and Roy are indeed going to miss extended time, then the Kings are going to have to figure out the defense in a hurry. The Anaheim Ducks had 43 shots on goal tonight, and if it wasn’t for a spectacular performance by Cal Petersen, it could have been much worse.
Cal Petersen single-handedly keeping the #LAKings in this game. pic.twitter.com/VPtaZ4Zjda
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) February 3, 2021
The Clague-MacDermid pairing had an especially rough night, with Clague at a -3 and MacDermid at a -2. Mark Alt, who was signed mainly for depth in Ontario, didn’t have a bad night but certainly wasn’t brought in to be a long term solution at the NHL level.
The Kings do have Tobias Bjornfot and Austin Strand waiting in the wings, but to get them in, one of Alt or MacDermid will have to sit – Clague will most likely stay in as the Kings want to see what they have in him. This means the defense will have three rookies (Clague, Anderson, and Bjornfot/Strand) and a guy still learning the system (Maatta).
Getting the kids playing time is ok, but the goaltending will have to be spectacular every night like it was tonight if the Kings are going to keep pace in the playoff hunt.
LA Kings vs. Ducks: The kids are all right.
While Kale Clague had a tough night and having half of the defense corps possibly filled by rookies may not be a great idea, the kids also provided some of the few bright spots on Tuesday night.
Cal Petersen has been dubbed the LA Kings “goalie of the future,” and in this game, he showed why. He was under siege for most of the night, and despite facing numerous high danger chances, Petersen only yielded two goals (the third was an empty netter).
Petersen and Jonathon Quick are in an almost even split right now as far as starts go, but if Petersen keeps this up, the Kings goaltending playing time may very well tip in his favor.
A discussion about the kids tonight cannot be complete without mentioning the Arty Party! Highly touted prospect Arthur Kaliyev made his NHL debut and, in the process, scored his first NHL goal. In the third period, coach McLellan put together a line combination of Grundstrom-Vilardi-Kaliyev, which in their short time together were noticeable on the ice.
Kaliyev can play six more games for the Kings before they have to make a decision on using the first year of his entry-level contract or not.
Many Kings fans (including me) have been advocating for him to be with the Kings full time, and he can play like he did tonight. It might just be time for management to give the people what they want.
Next. Brown’s comments about Lias Andersson will excite fans. dark
LA Kings Schedule
The Kings will have Wednesday and Thursday off between starting a weekend series with the Vegas Golden Knights.