Even though the Los Angeles Kings (12-8-7) and head coach Jim Hiller got a fully healthy active roster lineup back in the mix last night (Dec. 4) against the Chicago Blackhawks (12-9-6), it didn't help the team in the win column in the standings in the West late this week.
Power play struggles hamper Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings in a slow one-goal loss to Chicago on Thursday night at Crypto Arena
Defenseman Drew Doughty and forward Warren Foegele returned to the active roster lineup for the Kings and Hiller on Thursday night against the Blackhawks. The Kings held the edge in this game against Chicago late this week on Thursday night in scoring chances, faceoff percentage, power play opportunities on special teams, and expected goals for percentage (per Natural Stat Trick).
Winger Trevor Moore's goal in the game's third period in the final frame yesterday against the Blackhawks wasn't enough for the Kings to get back on the right side of the win column vs. Chicago in the West.
Moore's goal in the third period cut the Blackhawks' lead on the scoreboard in half. But the Kings wouldn't get any closer on the scoreboard in the game's third period, leading to a close 2-1 win for the Blackhawks in the first of this two-game series at Crypto.com Arena late this week and this weekend.
Here are the takeaways from the Kings' 2-1 loss on home ice to the Blackhawks at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night (Dec. 4).
Slow offensive production on home ice
The losses at home keep adding to the stress and frustration for this team for the Kings this fall early this regular season. It's clear that the adjustments Hiller and the Kings' staff have made to the offensive roster lines for the team recently this fall haven't worked.
This team can't find a way to win many of these slower and lower-scoring games on the ice in the past couple of weeks this fall.
"I think this game, a lot of it has to do with confidence. When pucks aren’t going in, for a stretch there, it definitely wears on guys in the room. You can’t feel sorry for yourself, you’ve just got to keep it simple, go to the net and you just hope that one goes off your butt or your chest, or something like that. There’s not much room out there, but you’ve just got to work hard and find a way."Warren Foegele
The Kings have been playing good at home at Crypto Arena early this regular season in the past couple of months. I haven't found myself saying after many home games at Crypto this fall for the Kings that the team is getting seriously outplayed on the ice by the opponent in the West.
Darcy Kuemper continues to shine
For much of this game against the Blackhawks yesterday, starting goalie Darcy Kuemper kept the Kings around on the scoreboard. He stopped double-digit high-danger scoring chances from the Hawks in the game's first 45 minutes.
When the Kings were behind 1-0 on the scoreboard in the first two periods, Kuemper made some clutch saves to at least give the team a chance late to make a comeback effort in the final frame in the third period.
For the second time in the past three days earlier this week, Kuemper stopped at least 20 shots on goal and double-digit scoring chances for the Kings.
The fact of the matter is that the Kings need to be better on offense around the net. The Kings have only scored one regulation goal in three games in a row this past week in the West.
Power play goes scoreless
Even though the Kings had a whopping five opportunities on the power play on special teams, the team came up with zero goals again with the 5-on-4 man advantage in the offensive zone vs. Chicago. Hiller's adjustments to the blue line group on the power play top unit on special teams didn't help get the puck in the net for the PP yesterday at home.
For the second time in the past three weeks in late November and early December this month, the Kings went 0-for-5 on the power play on special teams on home ice at Crypto Arena this fall. The Kings didn't get many scoring chances on special teams yesterday either, averaging fewer than one scoring chance per power play opportunity in the offensive zone vs. Chicago on Dec. 4.
"We didn’t like it before and maybe we were better before than we are now. We got frustrated when we were 16, 17, 18 percent and over the last while, trying to tweak it, trying to change, trying to work on it, we haven’t got any results from that whatsoever. That’s disappointing, extremely."Jim Hiller
The Kings made too many mistakes in the defensive zone on their own end of the ice yesterday and couldn't capitalize on the opportunities on special teams against the Hawks on Thursday.