LA Kings
Kings Offense Dries up in 2-1 Loss to Wild
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson was also on his game Tuesday, stopping 33 shots and 3.02 goals saved above expected.
After scoring five or more goals in four-straight games, the offense dried up for the Los Angeles Kings, grabbing just one goal in a 2-1 loss against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
A polar opposite game to the last two in Minnesota, which combined for 22 goals, the Wild were content with clogging the neutral zone and making life miserable for the Kings explosive offense.
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson was also on his game Tuesday, stopping 33 shots and 3.02 goals saved above expected.
The Kings thought they went down in the first, with Adam Beckman scoring the first goal of his career.
Or so he thought.
The goal was challenged for an offside leading to the goal. After review, it was determined the Wild had gone offside and the goal was called back. Beckman will have to wait a little longer for his first goal.
The first period would end 0-0, after a fairly low event 20 minutes.
The Wild took the lead just 13 seconds into the second period.
A set faceoff play saw Kirill Kaprisov one-on-one with Matt Roy. Kaprisov cut to the middle and dropped the puck for Ryan Hartman who beat Pheonix Copley over the right shoulder. Not a terrible goal, but one Copley would likely want back.
Throughout the second, the Kings carried play and outshot the Wild 10-4. But where unable to solve Gustavsson.
The Kings pushing for a goal continued into the third, but the story didn't change.
The Wild put on a clinic in holding a lead, something the Kings could take notes from based on Todd McLellan's comments after Saturday's game.
After Viktor Arvidsson missed the net on the rush, Hartman started a counter attack the other way. Hartman toe-dragged to the middle and beat Copley over the shoulder, giving the Wild a 2-0 lead with five minutes left.
The Kings would spoil Gustavsson's shutout with 21 seconds remaining, with Anze Kopitar banging home a Sean Durzi rebound in front.
It was a game that was probably coming for the Kings given their offensive fortunes recently, and one they can leave behind them.
They'll turn their heads to a tough game in New Jersey Thursday.