LA Kings: Three primary takeaways in 4-2 loss to Golden Knights

A fast start for the LA Kings wasn’t enough as the Golden Knights scored four unanswered goals on Monday night.

In the first day without Jeff Carter in an LA Kings uniform since February 2012, there was still a hockey game to be played as Los Angeles is technically still in contention for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. They’ll need a lot of luck and a lot of help, but anything is possible.

On what was a bittersweet day, as Kings head coach Todd McLellan put it after the team’s morning skate on Monday, the organization said goodbye to a Stanley Cup hero but locked down a member of what figures to be the next great Kings team in Alex Iafallo.

General manager Rob Blake spoke with the media and indicated that the team had never looked to trade Iafallo, despite what rumors were circling around the 27-year-old’s time in Los Angeles. Blake indicated the organization was 100 percent committed to getting a deal done with Alex. A good ole 4×4 deal is a great fit for both parties.

“I want to be part of something special and going forward here,” Iafallo noted. “That’s why I want to stay, and I’m looking forward to that and being a big part of some special.”

As for the game on Monday night, here are three primary takeaways from the contest.

1. Fast start

The LA Kings are just one of those teams that play up and down to their competition. Unfortunately, it has left them in a precarious situation in terms of the standings. Had they taken care of business or showed up a little bit better against San Jose, the Kings could be talking playoffs heading into the home stretch.

On Monday, despite Anze Kopitar being called for hooking just 25 seconds in, the Kings were a much more aggressive team both offensively and on the forecheck. Near the middle stages of the opening frame, Austin Wagner was fed a great pass from Brendan Lemieux, and from there, it was a footrace to the finish, as Wagner tallied his fourth goal of the season.

The Kings started out the second period just as they did the first, with Dustin Brown finding Anze Kopitar in front of the net to make it a 2-0 game in favor of the Kings.

2. Golden Knights speed proved to be too much

Seven games into the season series, you would think the LA Kings would know how fast the Golden Knights are. By the same token, perhaps there’s nothing they can do about it, given the current state of the roster. Nicolas Roy brought the Golden Knights back within one in the latter stages of the second period, and Mark Stone‘s shorthanded goal with under 30 seconds remaining really shifted the momentum in Vegas’ favor.

And then, not long into the third period, Alex Tuch blew past Christian Wolanin to give the Golden Knights the lead for good.

3. LA Kings powerplay woes continue

The Kings went 0-for-4 on the man advantage on Monday night. Earlier in the season, the powerplay success was a point of pride, but after the loss to Vegas, the Kings are now 14th in the league with a 20.9% conversion rate. It’s still, obviously, better than half the league, but the Kings really struggle scoring in even-strength situations.

Over their last five games, the Los Angeles is 2-for-16 on the PP.

Not great, Bob.

The Kings and Golden Knights will wrap up their season series on Wednesday with puck drop set for 7 pm PT. After that lies Colorado for two games.