While missing multiple forwards in the active roster lineup due to various injuries and other reasons, the Los Angeles Kings (18-14-10) fell just short of the San Jose Sharks (21-18-3) in the Pacific Division in overtime by a score of 4-3 on Jan. 7. The Kings fought hard against the Sharks on home ice on Wednesday night, but came up just short after a late push by San Jose got the game tied up on the scoreboard.
Joel Edmundson and Kevin Fiala deliver big games offensively for the Los Angeles Kings in a Wednesday night OT loss to San Jose on home ice
Defenseman Joel Edmundson, forward Kevin Fiala, and center Alex Turcotte all contributed multi-point nights for the Kings in the Pacific Division on Wednesday night vs. San Jose. It looked like Edmundson had won the game for the Kings late in the final frame in the third period a couple of nights ago, but the goal was called back after a review by the league.
Edmundson and Fiala gave their takeaways to the media on Wednesday night after the overtime loss to the Sharks on home ice by a score of 4-3.
Not only did Fiala register multiple points and a goal on Wednesday against the Sharks, but Edmundson also had his third multi-assist game this regular season in the West for the Kings.
Here's a look at everything Fiala and Edmundson said to the media postgame following the Kings' crushing 4-3 overtime loss to the Sharks on Jan. 7 on home ice.
Joel Edmundson
On his reaction to the game vs. San Jose
"It was frustrating compared to the past two games that we just didn't play ourselves, to be honest. After two periods, we were lucky it was still 1-1. Going into the third, we knew, uh, you know, it's two big points, we needed to get the win. I thought the guys that jumped in the lineup tonight, they did a good job. But we just got to bear down. I think it was right there for us."
On the goal he scored that was waived off in the third period
"I didn't hear anything. After they called it no goal, the one ref cup came up and said he thought it was a good goal, so it must have been the league. I'm not really sure how that works, but no, I didn't really get anything."
On the connection between his defensive pairing and the forward lines
"They're making some smart plays, and they were trying to find us at the top if we were open. I think the five of us had a good connection tonight, and it changed the game. I like that line."
Kevin Fiala
On how the team played in the first period vs. San Jose
"We were not really ready, to be honest. The last two games especially, I think we were ready from the get-go, we’re a little more straight line, we’re hunting guys. Today was a little bit more casual, East-West; they caught some pucks, little turnovers here and there. It was not crisp."
On the impact Alex Turcotte had on the game vs. San Jose
"He deserves it. He’s a great player. You can see it, he’s getting rewarded, he’s always working hard every day since I got here, winning battles, doing those little things, making plays. He’s just a reliable player and I’m very, very happy for him. He’s getting the chance now to play more and he’s playing better. Very excited for him."
On how well his line is playing while the Kings are missing other forwards due to injuries
"It sucks to have those guys out, but other guys have to step up. There’s no one line show, one man show, it’s a team thing. I think they did a good job, the new guys here, they did an amazing job in my opinion. It’s not easy to come in and make an impact right away. We’re missing a lot of guys, it’s not just one guy or two guys, and important guys too everybody’s important, but you know what I mean. Happy for them to get one under their belt. It’s too bad we couldn’t get the win. On to the next one."