A late lead in clutch time in the third period got away from the Los Angeles Kings (16-14-9) in the final frame yesterday on New Year's Day (Jan. 1) against the Tampa Bay Lightning (24-13-3) and Nikita Kucherov. The Kings had a one-goal lead on the scoreboard in clutch time in the game's third period yesterday until the final frame's final three minutes.
Los Angeles Kings collapse vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning after three points and three assists from forward Corey Perry
Led by three assists and three total points from winger Corey Perry, the Kings looked good late in the game, playing the type of hockey head coach Jim Hiller and staff wants this team to play on the ice at home this regular season. Defenseman Cody Ceci also helped to keep most of the Lightning's playmakers at bey in the game's first 50 minutes on the scoreboard.
Perry and Ceci gave their takeaways to the media after the third-period late collapse that saw the team slip up, blowing a one-goal lead on the scoreboard in the final frame yesterday, on New Year's Day.
Perry registered three assists in a game for the first time this regular season for the Kings in the West vs. Tampa on New Year's Day for the team.
Here's a look at everything Perry and Ceci said to the media postgame following the Kings' third-period 5-3 collapse of a loss in the final frame vs. Tampa Bay on home ice on New Year's Day 2026 at Crypto.com Arena.
Cody Ceci
On his reaction to the game yesterday
"Very very frustrating way to end the game. Thought we played well throughout the whole game and then we just gave it away there at the end. These are big points, big time of year. It's a very frustrating game for us. "
On the frustration from not being able to close the game out yesterday vs. Tampa Bay
"I think as a group we could feel our game coming together. The last few games we played some really good teams and been in all the games. Especially tonight, we should have won. There are small takeaways, but at the end of the day, you got to close out the game."
On the defensive lapses late in the game in the third period for the Kings yesterday
"They're good around the net. They get down there, they make plays. So, the more they try, they're going to get some bounces and some stuff to go their way. And it just happened at the end of the game. It's an unfortunate way to end the game and end a good game that we played."
On how the Kings move forward after this loss to Tampa
"We got to take away the small victories in the game. We were in both these last two games against the top couple teams in the league. That's something we got to take away, but again, we got to close out, and we got to get the points."
Corey Perry
On his reaction to the game yesterday vs. Tampa Bay
"Tough last five minutes. They pushed, they found a way to tie it and they found that. Once they tied it, we really didn’t have a response. We’ve got to learn from it."
On the frustration the Kings felt from the game yesterday in the third period
"Especially because we scored to go up 3-2 on the power play. It’s frustrating. We have to learn from it. You can’t anything away from them, they have some pretty good players over there, that’s a pretty good hockey team. They just kept pushing."
On the success his unit on special teams on the power play had yesterday
"We’re finding our spots and our movement. Guys are shooting the puck in the back of the net, that’s the biggest thing. Those feel good, but it would’ve felt better if we got the W."
On the goal Jeff Malott scored in the first period vs. Tampa
"Whenever he plays, he comes in, and he's a dog on a bone, and he plays hard, and it's nice to see him get rewarded. It's a great shot and know he's always ready when his game's called."
On how costly the lost points in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division are for the Kings
"You have to flush this one. It is what it is now. You move on and you go out there and get ready for the next one, it’s going to be another tough one."