Despite outplaying the New Jersey Devils (9-3-0) on home ice, the Los Angeles Kings (5-4-4) only had positive feelings to take away from a 4-1 loss at Crypto Arena this weekend. This was one of the better games the Kings have played early this regular season against the Devils on Saturday night.
Lack of conversion on the power play costs the Los Angeles Kings and Jim Hiller vs. New Jersey
The Kings had some momentum in the standings and on the ice coming into this weekend's game against the Devils on home ice. Los Angeles had won four of the past six games, and had a seven-game point streak dating back a couple of weeks in the Pacific Division standings.
Less than 120 seconds into the first period, the Devils took an early 1-0 lead on a goal from Nico Hischier against the Kings. The Devils extended their lead to 2-0 on the scoreboard early in the game's second period, with a goal from Brian Halonen on a goal that Darcy Kuemper probably wanted back.
The Devils were able to extend the lead on the scoreboard to 3-0 before the Kings were able to muster a goal late in the game in the third period. Andrei Kuzmenko gave the Kings a fighting chance on the scoreboard in the final frame in the middle of the third period.
But an empty-net goal sealed the win for the Devils last night by a three-goal margin when the clocked showed zeroes in the third period.
Here are three takeaways from the Kings' frustrating 4-1 loss to the Devils at Crypto.com Arena at home on Nov. 1.
Power play is ice cold
The Kings extended their goalless streak on the power play on special teams to five games over the past couple of weeks. Even though the Kings didn't go on the penalty kill on special teams a single time, the team wasn't able to generate the chances they needed to challenge Jacob Markstrom properly with high-danger scoring chances.
If you had told me that the Kings would've outshot the Devils by a margin of 44-22 and held Jack Hughes without any points in this game, I would've thought that LA was guaranteed a win last night. The Kings executed on paper what looked like a great game plan on the ice.
But the Kings needed do take more advantage of the four power play opportunities the team had last night. Two out of the Devils' four goals last night were shorthanded against the Kings power play on special teams, including the insurance empty-net goal late in the third period.
Struggles on home ice
The Kings can't catch a break on home ice early this regular season. In the past two games this past week for Hiller and the Kings, the team has arguably outplayed both the Devils and Detroit Red Wings in the last three days.
"It didn’t generate when we really needed to generate. I think that’s the biggest thing. We weren’t dangerous and sometimes you don’t score, but you’re dangerous. I think the other night, we had eight chances on the power play that looked dangerous and the puck didn’t go in."Jim Hiller on the power play
Something has to change with the Kings' special teams on the power play if this team wants to find more success winning games in the Pacific Division this fall. I think there's a case to be made to be patient with the power play. The Kings are generating chances on the power play, they're just not getting the breaks with the puck going in the net out in front.
The Kings are missing something in the offensive zone on home ice, especially on special teams on the power play this fall. For the first time in over five decades in franchise history, the Kings are winless in the regular season's first five games on home ice.
Andrei Kuzmenko gets back on the score sheet
A bit of positive news in the notes for the Kings after this game was the play of Kuzmenko. Scoring a goal in the middle of the final frame in the third period, Kuzmenko gave the Kings life in clutch time and gave the team a chance to draw even down the stretch last night.
"Nice goal, great pass by Kopitar and great finish. It looked a little bit like those guys looked last year. So hopefully that sparks a little bit of relief. Kuzmenko puts a lot of pressure on himself too. Maybe a little bit of relief, nice goal, now let’s get going."Jim Hiller on Andrei Kuzmenko
Kuzmenko was the only Kings' forward on the first line group who registered multiple high-danger scoring chances at even strength at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick).
I think that the passing and opportunities Kuzmenko can help create by getting the offense moving with the puck and around the net should be able to help spark this power play on special teams.