Los Angeles Kings Face Tough Defeat Against Seattle Kraken
The Los Angeles Kings struggled yet again on the ice, facing a tough defeat against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday with a score of 3-2 at Crypto.com Arena. This loss marks the Kings’ sixth defeat in their last seven games, leading them into the upcoming Christmas break with mounting pressure and concerns about their performance.
Head Coach’s Concerns
Head coach Jim Hiller expressed confusion regarding the team’s recent slump, acknowledging that it’s been difficult to produce a series of games that showcased their potential, regardless of the win-loss outcome. Currently, the Kings find themselves in a challenging position, sitting in the middle of the Pacific Division standings.
Offensive Struggles
Entering the game, the Kings (15-12-9) ranked last in scoring across the NHL and had converted only two power plays in their past 11 outings this month. This lack of offensive output is alarming, especially considering the team’s solid defensive numbers, having allowed just 91 goals—one of the best records in the league.
Hiller attempted to revitalize the lineup by rearranging player combinations, notably pairing Kevin Fiala and Andrei Kuzmenko together under the center play of Alex Turcotte. While both players managed to score, it ultimately fell short of turning the tide in their favor.
Game Highlights
The game began with a goalless first period, but the Kraken quickly took the lead in the second, just over a minute in, when Jordan Eberle found himself unmarked near the goal. He expertly maneuvered a pass from Matty Beniers and netted his 13th goal of the season. The Kings continued to struggle defensively, allowing their opponents to score another goal due to a misjudged play by goaltender Pheonix Copley. Less than eight minutes later, Frederick Gaudreau‘s shot deflected off Copley’s glove before sneaking through his legs, giving Seattle a 2-0 advantage.
Seattle widened their lead to 3-0 before the end of the second period, courtesy of Ben Meyers. However, the Kings finally managed to break through with Fiala’s unassisted goal only 11 seconds later, marking his 13th of the season. Kuzmenko later added a wraparound goal to bring the score to 3-2 with over 11 minutes left in the game.
Despite a vigorous offensive effort, including a near-miss off the crossbar by Fiala in the dying seconds, the Kings could not find the equalizer. Joey Daccord, the Kraken’s goaltender, stood strong against the barrage of shots, securing a crucial victory for Seattle as they achieved their first three-game winning streak of the season.
Looking Ahead
As the Kings prepare to face the division-leading Ducks after the holiday break, questions linger around their need for improvement and a turnaround in their performance before the competitive challenges ahead.
This article was sourced from the Los Angeles Times news coverage.
