The Los Angeles Kings were one second away from going to a shootout against Florida on Thursday.
Then the Panthers’ Sam Reinhart scored a power-play goal just before overtime expired, extending the Kings’ winless streak to seven games. Los Angeles will try once again to end its skid when it visits the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Overtimes and shootouts haven’t been kind to the Kings this season. They’ve won only two of 10 games that haven’t been decided in regulation. That includes four games during the current streak, including a 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings at home on Jan. 4.
The Kings had a 2-1 lead on Thursday before Matthew Tkachuk tied it with 2:18 remaining. In Los Angeles’ previous game, it held a two-goal lead against Tampa Bay in the third period and wound up losing in overtime.
“We’re all (ticked) off that we obviously couldn’t have a better result (the) last couple of games, but I think it’s a good sign,” center Phillip Danault said. “It’s a fine line, and we’re right there. So we’ve just got to find a way to capitalize on our chances and keep pushing. I mean, we have no other options.”
Kings coach Todd McLellan also felt his team played well enough to end the streak.
“It was a hard-fought game, had high-end intensity, a lot of physicality, a lot of battles and not a lot of empty ice,” he said. “This was the type of game you would expect from these two teams. Unfortunately, we’re on the back end of it. But I thought we played one (heck) of a game. There are a lot of good things to take away.”
In their first meeting with the Red Wings, the Kings scored twice in the first 4:18. Detroit rallied behind two Robby Fabbri goals to take a 3-2 lead in the third period.
Adrian Kempe scored with 4:17 remaining to force overtime. During the shootout, Detroit’s Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane were the only players who converted their chances.
The Red Wings had a three-game winning streak snapped on Thursday and were fortunate to come away with a point. They were outshot 47-17 in a 3-2 overtime loss to Edmonton.
Coach Derek Lalonde didn’t feel that the shots total was a true reflection of the game.
“Both teams probably deserved a point,” Lalonde said. “They had a lot more volume in shots but we hit a lot of iron. We missed an open net, hit a couple of crossbars and post, and the play in overtime was a turnover in front of our net from a tired player.”
Alex Lyon was the star of the game for the Red Wings. He made 44 saves in his sixth consecutive start.
“You try to ride the highs as long as you can and when the lows happen, just maintain that even keel,” Lyon said. “That’s my focus right now and I’m just trying to help the team provide whatever I can. It’s a dangerous team. I felt pretty good.”
–Field Level Media
