Phillip Danault had his first goal of the season the last time the Los Angeles Kings were on the ice when they lost in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks. While the Kings want their forward to be known more for scoring goals, on Monday night against the Nashville Predators he was saving goals.
In the first period, the Predators took a shot that went wide of the net and would bounce off the boards. It would end up bouncing back towards the net and sneak behind Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper.
The puck was clearly about to go into the net if it wasn't for Phillip Danault hustling to stop the puck. He was able to get his stick on the puck and clear it out of the crease.
Kings BARELY save a goal 😳 pic.twitter.com/WxskZnPWsR
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 5, 2024
Los Angeles Kings need a big game against the Nashville Predators
The Los Angeles Kings have six wins on the season but have let some games get away from them. Most notably on Saturday against the Blackhawks when they had a two goal lead in the third period before Chicago scored two goals, including one with 30 seconds left in regulation, to send it to overtime.
The Kings would end up losing in a shootout and now on the season have losses to the Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks, two teams near the bottom of the NHL. The Nashville Predators certainly have more talent than the Blackhawks and Sharks but are not much better in terms of the standings.
If the Kings want to make the playoffs for a fourth straight season or even win the Pacific Division for the first time in over 30 years, these are the games that they need to win and get the two points to stay pace with the Vegas Golden Knights this year.