3 takeaways from the LA Kings late push loss vs. Vegas

A late-third period offensive push in the zone in the final frame in clutch time against the Vegas Golden Knights (22-11-12) ultimately came up short for the Los Angeles Kings (19-16-11) in the Pacific Division in the West in a 3-2 overtime unfortunate loss on home ice at Crypto Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 14).

Vegas scores early in overtime to beat the Los Angeles Kings, despite a third period goal from Brandt Clarke

Jim Hiller and the Kings needed a win to pick up two points in the standings in the West yesterday vs. Vegas, but it's difficult to pick up wins consistently in this league this regular season in the Pacific Division.

The Kings were down on the scoreboard late in the final frame in the third period in clutch time when defenseman Brandt Clarke scored a big goal to tie things up for the team with under three minutes remaining in the third period on the clock. Clarke helped the Kings continue to fight to get back in the game on the scoreboard when it looked like the team was destined for having no chance left in the game vs. Vegas.

Vegas grabbed the lead in the middle frame in the second period. But the Kings battled back and fought hard on the scoreboard all night. Forward Kevin Fiala tied the game up on the scoreboard with his 17th goal of this regular season for the Kings in the West.

Mitch Marner gave Vegas the lead back on the scoreboard early in the final frame in the third period yesterday on a mistake by the Kings. The Kings couldn't get much going offensively in the zone until late in the final frame yesterday vs. Vegas.

Fiala also picked up an assist on the goal Clarke scored in the final frame in the third period in clutch time to tie the game on the scoreboard late.

One positive coming out of this game for Hiller and the Kings in the standings in the West is that the team picked up a point in the Pacific Division, despite the loss to Vegas yesterday.

Here are three takeaways from the Kings' late overtime loss by a score of 3-2 against the Golden Knights at home at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 14.

Brandt Clarke comes up clutch in the third period to tie the game

An encouraging sign for the Kings in the West this regular season has been the team's resilient perseverance and fight late in games in clutch time in the third period by the blue line on defense. Clarke scored the game-tying goal in the final frame in the third period to get the Kings into overtime and help the team get some life late in the game in clutch time.

Crypto Arena absolutely exploded when Clarke scored the game-tying goal with under two minutes remaining in the final frame in the third period yesterday.

Forward Adrian Kempe made a great play in the zone to find Clarke and score the goal offensively in the third period yesterday. Fiala also registered an assist on the goal scored by Clarke with under two minutes remaining on the scoreboard in the final frame in the third period.

I look at the performance from Clarke last night and his recent offensive production scoring the puck in the zone for the Kings and the West, and I am usually left wondering why he's not getting more time on the ice in clutch time for LA and Hiller this regular season.

Kings needed two points in the West

The energy that was present in the electric crowd at Crypto Arena after the crazy finish in the final frame in the third period quickly died out in overtime for the Kings and Hiller vs. Vegas yesterday night. The Golden Knights scored the game-winning goal in overtime just under 30 seconds into the extra frame in overtime yesterday.

While it was good to see the Kings battle back in the Pacific Division in the West yesterday and get a point out of the game in the standings vs. the Golden Knights on home ice, the team really needed to pick up a win for the playoff push this upcoming postseason.

The Kings and Golden Knights are the two teams with the most losses in overtime/shootouts this regular season in the West.

Missed opportunities and offensive goal scoring issues bites the Kings

Early in the game in the opening frame in the first period, the Kings were getting plenty of scoring chances around the net and opportunities to capitalize scoring the puck in the offensive zone vs. Vegas to set the tone on home ice yesterday night in the Pacific Division. The Kings had over four high-danger and medium-danger scoring chances at even strength at 5-on-5 play in the game's first 25 minutes yesterday (per Natural Stat Trick).

The Kings controlled the pace of play offensively on the ice in the game's first period in the opening frame vs. Vegas. But the Golden Knights held on through all the chances the Kings had in the opening frame in the first period and scored the game's first goal in the middle frame in the second period.

"It’s not that difficult, because they know how hard they’re playing, they’re playing together, they’re playing nose to nose with the best teams in the NHL. I mean, you guys can see it, I’m not making [crap] up, they’re right there with them. So, as difficult as it is, as emotional as it is, they know they’re right there. So, it sucks. This is not an easy game. The emotions go up and down and you’ve got to earn it. Obviously we haven’t done enough to earn it. But they shouldn’t feel bad about themselves. They’re playing hard here."

Jim Hiller