A slow start to the game offensively ended up dooming the Los Angeles Kings (19-16-10) in a tough 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars (27-10-9) at home at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings and veteran defenseman Drew Doughty were unable to build on the momentum from the big 4-3 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers on the road this past weekend north of the border on Saturday.
Slow start and missed opportunities hurts Corey Perry and the Los Angeles Kings in a competitive 3-1 loss to the Stars on Monday night
Jim Hiller and the Kings responded on the scoreboard early in the final frame in the third period on a goal from center Quinton Byfield, which was assisted by veteran forward Corey Perry and defenseman Brandt Clarke. The Stars took the lead back on the scoreboard later in the final frame, including the eventual game-winning goal from Jason Robertson on a weird bounce.
Doughty and Perry gave their thoughts to the media on Monday night after the 3-1 regulation loss to Dallas in the West in a tough and competitive game for the team on both sides of the ice.
Perry registered his 500th career assist in a big career milestone for him vs. the Stars early this week on Monday night at home.
Here's a look at everything Doughty and Perry said to the media postgame following the Kings' disappointing 3-1 loss on home ice to the Stars on Jan. 12 at Crypto Arena.
Drew Doughty
On how frustrating it was not to get any points from the competitive game vs. Dallas on Monday
"That was super frustrating. I thought we played really good game, unfortunately just a bad bounce at the end, guy’s shooting from the blue line, basically, it’s kind of a tough bounce. I thought we deserved better but at the same time, you’ve got to get more than one goal."
On Corey Perry getting 500 career assists
"Very happy for Perrs. Obviously, you know how wonderful the career he’s had and how big a part of our team he is this year. So, it’ kind of cool that Q recognized that and the whole thing happened."
On what the Kings can takeaway from and learn from the game on Monday vs. Dallas
"We need to get wins, that’s the bottom line. At times, I think it’s kind of a sore losers mentality to say we played a good game, but we didn’t get the bounces, which is kind of what I just said, actually, but bottom line is we need to get wins. Unfortunately, we didn’t get this one, but we can definitely look at a lot of positive things on what we did tonight."
On how he feels like the Kings' season is trending right now
"That’s a very bad stretch. The season’s not gone or slipping away, I don’t think. We have time to get this back and get on a roll and I still believe that we will, but we’re not trying to wait around or anything. We’re trying to win every game when we go out there. Maybe a little more desperation, especially around that net, to score some more goals, because if we could score some more goals, we would be winning a lot more games."
On anything he thinks is missing for the team in the past five games
"I've seen a lot of good things in the last five games, besides the Winnipeg game. I've seen a lot of good things from our group. I've seen desperation. I've seen us working hard. I've seen us playing hard. I've seen all the guys doing what it takes to win the hockey game. Unfortunately, it's not coming out. But the only way to get through a slump like that is to continue doing the right things and try to work even harder."
On if he's looking at the standings this regular season
"I mean, I do, I don’t know if everyone else does. We don’t really talk too much about it as a group, from our coaches, but we have it updated every day in our practice rink, and we see the standings every day. We’re very aware of how important these games are coming up. Tonight was really important too. And this one felt like we deserved better."
Corey Perry
On getting his 500th career assist on Monday vs. Dallas
"It's pretty special. You play this game long enough. Little milestones like that mean a lot, and when your career is over, you'll reflect on it. It's tough right now after a loss, but once it's all said and done, you can think about it."
On his thoughts from the loss to Dallas on Monday for the Kings
"It was a hard-fought game. It was back and forth, and we had our chances, and it just one of those nights where it just wasn't enough. I've liked the way we've played the last couple games, and you continue to do that, the recipe is there, and it's for success.
On how different the last three games were for the Kings in the West
"I didn't play in the Winnipeg game, and so it's hard to watch on TV and really know what's going on, but I thought the last two games was our style of hockey. I think you know it's a grind. This game's hard. Everybody's pretty good, and it's one bounce here, one bounce there, and it could be a different story, but here we are."
On if there's been any change in the communication and message from Jim Hiller
"I don't think so. I think the message is the same, and it might be more communication within your group. That's probably the big thing. Everybody's playing for one another.
On the play made by Brandt Clarke for the goal on the power play on special teams
"He's a tremendous skater. He's got that offensive instinct, and he's going to be a good player in this league for a long time. He's just getting better each and every game."