In the second time in as many weeks, the Los Angeles Kings (11-6-7) fell on the ice to a Pacific Division foe in the West after losing by a score of 5-4 in a shootout on Black Friday on the road against the in-state foe Anaheim Ducks (15-8-1). The Kings and head coach Jim Hiller held a two-goal lead in the third period in the final frame, but LA coughed it up in the game's final 10 minutes vs. Anaheim yesterday.
Third period goal from Alex Turcotte was a short-lived momentum boost for the Los Angeles Kings' offensive-zone energy vs. Anaheim on Black Friday
Alex Turcotte and defenseman Joel Edmundson scored the game's first two goals in the third period to put the Kings up by two goals on the scoreboard. Defenseman Brian Dumoulin assisted on Turcotte's goal early in the third period yesterday.
Anaheim scored the game's only two goals in the shootout to claim the 5-4 shocking win over the Kings on Black Friday at the Honda Center.
Turcotte and Dumoulin gave their takeaways to the media after losing the game in a shocking 5-4 shootout defeat vs. Anaheim yesterday.
There were some positive takeaways from the loss to Anaheim for both Dumoulin and Turcotte. Dumoulin registered his first multi-point and multi-assist game of this regular season for the Kings in the West. Turcotte also scored the season's first goal yesterday in the third period vs. Anaheim to put the Kings up 3-2 on the scoreboard.
Here's a look at everything Dumoulin and Turcotte said to the media postgame following the Kings' stunning 5-4 shootout loss on the road at the Honda Center in Anaheim vs. the Ducks on Black Friday (Nov. 28).
Brian Dumoulin
On his reaction to the loss to Anaheim yesterday for the Kings
"I thought at times, both teams had the momentum, a lot of swings there obviously in that game. I mean, it was a fun game to play in, it was intense. The crowd was good, it was definitely a fun atmosphere. It’s good to see, obviously, we’re two really competitive teams and it was really fun to play in."
On the Kings getting more pucks in the net in the offensive zone yesterday by crashing the net and getting around the crease
"You can simplify it too, but I thought we did a good job of creating some chances and trying to stay patient. They’re the type of team that likes to transition fast and try to create stuff off the rush, so I thought we did a good job of hemming them, sometimes creating some turnovers, creating some foot aces. I think it was good for us to score some goals, but obviously had to defend a little bit harder."
On how the Ducks have improved this year
"You can see the style of play, some of the freedom that especially their young guys with a lot of skill, and they have tremendous players. I saw a lot of them last year and know they can make plays. It doesn't take a lot of time and space for them to make plays and find each other. They have a lot of confidence right now, and they're winning games, so that creates it."
On his experience playing in the Kings-Ducks rivalry for the first time with LA this regular season
"Last year is the only time I really experienced it, being on the other side, and obviously we weren’t necessarily in a playoff spot, but we were coming. I could see the passion of both fanbases and what it meant to them, like it didn’t matter how your season was going, but if you beat the Kings, it was a good season for them at that point. It’s good to be on this side of it and it’s fun to play in."
On the Kings not being able to hold on to a multi-goal lead in the third period yesterday vs. Anaheim
"It’s really tough because sometimes you get a big save, sometimes they get a flukey goal, sometimes you never really know. It’s always good to have a lead. I think the Kings, especially this year, we’ve done a good job holding those leads and playing a lot of tight games. It’s good to experience it, the Ducks, they kept coming and they capitalized on the opportunities they had."
Alex Turcotte
On scoring a goal in his return to the lineup on offense in the third for the Kings yesterday vs. Anaheim
"I was really excited to get back in the lineup and to play against this team. They've come a long way since the last couple years, and they've got a lot of really good players, so it was easy to get up for it. But, I think it was another opportunity to try and prove myself and take a deep breath, those last couple days of reset, and just get after it."
On getting the chance to play in overtime in 3-on-3 yesterday and late in the game in clutch time
"I felt really good the whole game, and just to be out there and get in a rhythm felt great, and I got more confidence each shift. Obviously, scoring was a huge weight off my back. I thought a lot opened up. Getting out there in overtime wasn't my prettiest shift. There are good signs, and I think I can still do a lot more to keep building off that."
On the Kings facing the Ducks yesterday for first place in the Pacific Division standings
"We know the standings are tight. It's a rivalry game. It's just super tight. I don't know what else to say, they're a really good team now, and we know they play a really great offensive game, and they got a lot of talent. We had to be ready for it, and we had them there, and they pushed back to get the best of us. I thought we should have won that game, and we let it slip."
On the chemistry with the fourth-line forward group with Jeff Malott
"He plays the game the right way. He's really physical, north-south guy, so he's easy to read off of. We're good buddies off the ice, and that helps for sure, too. We want to play the right way, and we want to help the team win. He's a hard worker; we just try to do the best we can."
On the difficulty of holding on to leads this regular season
I think they're just a really skilled team, and they're making plays all over the ice, and sometimes you feel like you got to play a little too safe, or you're thinking too much about it. That's when they tap you. We sat back a little, and those guys took advantage of it."