The Kings have just dug themselves a trenta-sized hole.
After a dismal eight game homestand that saw them win just two games in the bunch, they headed out to Dallas tonight – a place they hadn’t lost since the 2008-09 season (two years to the exact day to be more specific).
It was also the first of a 16 game stretch where they’ll play 13 on the road – a place where they began the night with a 9-11 record.
Jonathan Bernier was back in goal for his first back-to-back start this year. He played great, just not good enough.
LA entered the game 10-for-10 on recent penalty kills. They shrugged off three more in the first period and went into the first intermission leading 1-0 on a Justin Williams goal.
Dallas tied it in the second. Brenden Morrow was creating havoc in front of the net and the Stars dynamic duo of Loui Eriksson and Brad Richards combined again to pick up a goal and an assist. It was a power play goal.
Five minutes later, Jamie Lagenbrunner – a player the Kings should have pushed harder to get a few weeks ago – netted another power play goal to put the Stars up for good. The game winning goal came in his 1000th NHL game.
The Kings managed just six shots in the third period, trailing 2-1 and desperately needing a win. With hope slipping through the cracks they were somehow handed a gift with less than a minute to go. Stars defenseman Jeff Woywitka was whistled for covering the puck at the goal line and a penalty shot was awarded. Jack Johnson took the shot. Pad save by Kari Lehtonen. Game over.
And if you don’t know what trenta means, don’t feel bad. When the Kings still played at the Forum people weren’t saying Grande and Venti either. Now, it’s common place.
Starting in a few more weeks Trenta will become the new buzz word.
Soon after teams around the league will begin making their playoff pushes, while the Kings will still be trying to dig themselves out of their trenta-sized hole.
You see – bigger isn’t always better. Regardless of what they tell you in Texas.
The Mayor
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