The issues and struggles for the Los Angeles Kings (14-8-9) on special teams on the power play continued for head coach Jim Hiller's squad in a slow and disappointing 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames (13-16-4) in the Pacific Division on Saturday night (Dec. 13). Defensively, the Kings gave up too many opportunities vs. the Flames on the penalty kill on special teams.
Anze Kopitar and the Los Angeles Kings were behind in shots on goal against the Calgary Flames yesterday on home ice
But the Kings wasted an opportunity to pick up two points in the standings in the West this weekend on Saturday against the Flames from Calgary. As defenseman Brian Dumoulin and center captain Anze Kopitar said in the postgame press conferences yesterday, the Kings weren't good enough against the Flames last night on home ice at Crypto Arena.
Kopitar and Dumoulin gave their takeaways to the media after the tough overtime loss yesterday on home ice to the Flames in the Pacific Division.
The Kings have dropped two straight games and lost a couple of valuable points in the standings in the Western Conference in overtime this past week and this weekend against the Flames and Seattle Kraken on the road this past Wednesday night.
Here's a look at everything Kopitar and Dumoulin said to the media postgame following the Kings' 2-1 overtime loss on home ice at Crypto.com Arena on Dec. 13 to the Flames.
Anze Kopitar
On the goal in overtime being called back after a video review
"I wasn’t sure at first, but when I saw the replay, I figured it won’t count. Unfortunate. Obviously, I didn’t try and kick it, but it’s just the momentum and the way my foot was positioned and moving, it looked like it was a kick."
On how Darcy Kuemper played in net yesterday for the Kings vs. Calgary
"He was the reason why we got the one point, really. Second period, he was outstanding. He’s been outstanding all year and last year. We almost take it for granted, so we’ve got to find ways to score more goals and give him some run support."
On the Kings shooting themselves in the foot with mistakes vs. Calgary
"It was choppy. It was a choppy game for sure. We’re going to have to clean that up."
On what the Kings need to do to start finding more success in the standings in the West
"We’re in a good spot, really. We’ve got to find a way to score more goals, obviously starting with power play. We have to figure something out, find something in order to jumpstart the offense and score more goals."
On the success he's had in the faceoff circle for the Kings
"Just figure out what I'm going to do and sticking to my game plan."
On how the Kings can improve on special teams on the power play
"Simplify, first. I think it’s just getting more pucks to the net and then see if we can create something from there."
Brian Dumoulin
On how Darcy Kuemper played in net for the Kings yesterday
"He was phenomenal tonight on the power play, on their power play, even strength. He made a lot of big-time saves, was really good with his rebound control, and gave us a chance there at the point."
On the self-inflicted wounds the Kings had vs. Calgary yesterday
"I think penalties too. Took a little bit too many there, obviously, myself too. They were a little bit more connected than us. They definitely had a lot of o-zone. It seemed like a lot of o-zone faceoff, especially in the game. They did a good job on those creating chances. They battled hard. They made it hard on us all night."
On why the Kings are struggling to get two points in the standings in overtime this regular season
"Obviously puck's not going in. We can still create more and support each other more. If our power play is clicking a little bit more, too, and if we can get some more opportunities on that, maybe draw some penalties and try to give them a few more looks. Have more power plays and PKs for a game per chance."
On how the blue line on defense can help spark the offense for the Kings this season
"There's no easy solution, I'd say. I feel like it's really tough to pinpoint one thing. You can always say we can shoot more and stuff like that, but there's times to shoot, there's times to pass, there's times to try to get o-zone time and try to wear them down a little bit. It's a combination of everything. And sometimes you need a couple bounces and things to go your way, couple easy ones, and just got to stay with it. We're right there. We're in every game, and you can't be down about that."
On what the Kings did in the past couple of games against Chicago and Utah that worked well
"Well, I think Seattle we're right there. Obviously, they scored a power play goal. We took seven penalties, so we were behind the eight-ball there. I thought we played really well and controlled that game. Obviously, they got one late in there, so I mean, I thought our effort was great that night. Tonight, I thought Calgary came out a little bit hungrier.
They were on pucks on sticks. They were skating. They were hard to play against. Shot a lot of pucks, and I think penalties they rack up, and turns the flow of the game. Gives their top players the opportunity with the puck. I think we got to be a little bit more disciplined."