McLellan: Kings’ 9-8 Loss ‘Very, Very Confusing’

“It’s mass confusion right now for all of us and we better freaking figure it out quickly.” Said Todd McLellan after the Los Angeles Kings' insane loss to the Seattle Kraken.

The two teams combined for 17 goals and surpassed the next highest-scoring game after just two periods of play. It was a game of terrible goaltending, with Martin Jones' .771 save percentage besting Jonathan Quick's .643 and Cal Petersen's .750. Between all three goalies, they posted -8.23 goals saved above expected. 

Special teams played a huge role, with the teams combining for five power-play goals. Including Seattle's game-winner in overtime. 

The Kings did show fight in the third, recovering from a two-goal deficit to earn a point. 

"We got a big point though," said Phil Danault. "We kept believing ourselves in the third. Although we were poor defensively, we got a big point."

Nine goals against is simply unacceptable from the Kings, but it can't go ignored that the Kings scored eight of their own. The Kings' offense was clicking and their power play was once again strong. The Danault unit scored their third goal in two games and Anze Kopitar's unit got on the board again. 

Another positive was Adrian Kempe breaking his seven-game goalless drought. 

"The other side of the coin is that you score eight," said Todd McLellan. "It's a very, very confusing night for all of us. I'm really disappointed that we gave up nine goals. But on the other side, I'm glad that we fought back, got a point and scored eight."

McLellan went on to clarify that he didn't see the necessary buy-in from his team. And unlike the loss against Vancouver five games ago, this was lost as a group.

"We lost this one as a team," said McLellan.

Regardless of how or why this team lost. A 9-8 loss indicates serious issues and a need for change. The goaltending and defense on this team have not been good enough this season. And 25 games in, it's time to address those issues. A trade is needed, and soon.