Playing on consecutive nights for the second time on their current road trip, the Kings weren’t able to play a full 60-minute game on Saturday night, as they fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2.
LA knew they were in for a challenge even before play began. Tampa Bay had won 11 straight on home ice and they were riding the high of beating Boston just a few nights earlier.
As expected, coach Todd McLellan turned to Jonathan Quick in net and there were probably two goals he’d like to have back. Yet, the loss wasn’t all on him. Both McLellan and several players spoke about a lack of communication on the ice throughout the game leading to several defensive breakdowns.
After falling behind early by a pair of goals, Jaret Anderson-Dolan gave the team life around 10 minutes into the opening frame, making it to a 2-1 game. That was as close as the Kings would ever really come to being back in it. Former Ducks forward Corey Perry put the dagger into any hopes of a comeback with a goal just after the 15-minute mark. It was 3-1 when first intermission came and the Lightning never really looked back from there.
Three stats from the game:
– Kevin Fiala extended his team-leading point total to 52 points with an assist on Anderson-Dolan’s first period goal.
– Although the Kings split their two games in Florida, forward Phil Danault tallied his 14th goal of the season on Saturday night, giving him points in the back-to-back set. He had an assist vs. the Panthers on Friday.
– Anderson-Dolan’s goal was his third goal of the road trip. He’s been filling in at RW3 while Gabe Vilardi has been out injured.
Below are select highlights from Saturday night’s game:
Additional Post-Game Notes:
https://twitter.com/BallySportWest/status/1619528205169295360
QB with a nice hit on Hedman in front of the bench and all hell was about to break loose.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
QB is such an animal. Walking around postgame with blood just flowing out of his mouth, down his chin, like it's no big deal.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
Interesting comments from Iafallo postgame. Talked about lack of (or mis) communication being the issue tonight. He said they even talked about it during first intermission but it wasn't fixed. Noted there were D breakdowns in the middle of the ice & can't have that w/ TB speed.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
LA's third line really misses Gabe Vilardi. He just might be the perfect player on the Kings to be paired with Kevin Fiala. Their creativity and hockey IQs blend very, very well.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
Doughty and Perry chatting it up in the hallway. London connection is strong.
Instantly made me think of this https://t.co/bVJ9WoaqOc
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
McLellan brought up the miscommunication, as well.
And had a great line…
"We failed to use the best tool we have and that's our tongue on the ice."
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
Iafallo postgame pic.twitter.com/Ot7erspVgt
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
McLellan on the third line missing Vilardi… pic.twitter.com/ZkUO4bEOyg
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 29, 2023
Lead photo via NHL
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