The struggles on home ice at Crypto.com Arena and on special teams on the penalty kill were big issues for the Los Angeles Kings (15-11-9) and Jim Hiller on Monday night (Dec. 22) against the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-15-6) from the East. Hiller and the Kings needed to build some momentum in the standings in the West early this week in the front end of back-to-back games against the Blue Jackets from Columbus.
Los Angeles Kings held to just one goal yesterday in a loss to Columbus on home ice on Monday night
The Kings don't have a home win at Crypto Arena this regular season this month in December since a few weeks ago on Dec. 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 6-1.
Columbus jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on the special teams on the power play, thanks to two goals from Mason Marchment in the opening frame in the first period. The Kings responded with a goal in the middle frame in the second period, but couldn't capitalize on the momentum on the ice and on the scoreboard going into the final frame yesterday vs. Columbus.
Both defenseman Joel Edmundson and center Quinton Byfield were held scoreless yesterday in the two goal loss to the Blue Jackets for the Kings.
Byfield and Edmundson gave their takeaways to the media after yesterday's bad loss on home ice to Columbus by multiple goals at Crypto Arena.
The Kings have now won only four games out of well over a dozen on home ice this regular season in the past few months at Crypto Arena going into the final game before the holiday break for Christmas this week in the next couple of days.
Here's a look at everything Byfield and Edmundson said to the media postgame following the Kings' 3-1 loss to the Blue Jackets at home at Crypto Arena on Dec. 22.
Quinton Byfield
On the struggles for the Kings at home early this regular season
"It sucks. It's frustrating for us, for the fans, too. It's weird how it switches up, but we got to find it on the home ice here."
On the team giving up multiple goals on special teams on the penalty kill
"I think we're still really confident in the group that we have here. There's some nights where they got some bounces here and there. At the start of the year, PK wasn't that good. Then we talked about it, we fixed it, then we try to do the same thing here."
On the opportunity to win a game and pick up points in the standings in the West vs. Columbus
"Obviously you want to win every night, but they're struggling; but every team in the NHL is a good team, and it is one that we got to have. So, it is frustrating."
On his struggles scoring the puck offensively
"Yeah, it's not good. I feel like there's some chances here and there. It's just not finding the back of the net. Got to shoot the puck more. Get more direction in front."
On the Kings not scoring on special teams on the power play vs. Columbus
"They got a lot of skill, a lot of good players over there, too. They made some good plays as well. And some are on us as well. So I think we just got to clean it up. We know how good we are on the PK and we'll be better on that."
Joel Edmundson
On his status after taking a stick to the face yesterday vs. Columbus
"Couple of stitches, but just a high stick, ref didn’t see it. Can’t see everything. I thought they could go back and review it, but they said they can’t, unless one of the linesmen see it. They’re just doing their jobs."
On the struggles the Kings have experienced at home this regular season in the past couple of months
"Very frustrating. We obviously want to put on a show for our great fans. We’re not scoring goals. Special teams is kind of killing us right now. We’ve got to figure that out soon."
On the Kings giving up three goals on special teams on the penalty kill vs. Columbus yesterday
"When we take eight minors a game, teams are going to start breaking us down. So, we’ve just got to be smarter, keep our sticks down and take less penalties. It gets tiring for killers. It’s just it seems like every game we’re taking way more minors than the other team."
On how the team is feeling confidence-wise after the loss yesterday
"I don’t think so. Forwards want to score goals and when they don’t, obviously it might eat them up a little bit, but everyone’s in this league for a reason, good players, so no one should be lacking confidence."