Before the game, head coach Todd McLellan said that the bear had been poked, that the Los Angeles Kings were fired up and ready to face the Minnesota Wild. In the first 30 minutes, sure, that looked pretty accurate.
But bad luck and bad defense continue to plague this team. The bad defense came when they allowed Matt Dumba all the time and space in the world to pick his shot. The bad luck came when it hit another Wild player (Gerard Mayhew—yeah, I have no idea who he is, either) in front and then went in off what appears to be Michael Amadio.
Pretty sure this last clips Amadio before going in. If so, it’s another goal against the #LAKings that last hit one of their own players before going into the net. I think that’s the sixth time this year. https://t.co/idQA8JPkmn
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) October 27, 2019
Okay, so down one goal after the first period is irritating, but whatever, no big deal. Ben Hutton (!!) gets the Kings on the board in the second period and that’s about where the good news ends for Los Angeles. During a brief 5v3, Jeff Carter very nearly came oh so tantalizingly close to untying the game, sadly to no avail.
Don’t know how Carter couldn’t bury this one. On the 5-on-3 after Kiovu took a tripping penalty. pic.twitter.com/6LbiE5vsTl
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) October 27, 2019
This comes on the heels of Drew Doughty missing a yawning cage from point blank range. Missed chance after missed opportunity, and it didn’t take long for Minnesota’s luck to turn their way. On a 2-on-1, the home team scored to break the deadlock. Going into the second intermission down by one goal was annoying, but not a killer. What killed them was giving up three goals and a seeming overall disinterest in playing a sound defensive structure. It’s exasperating to feel like old habits from last year are creeping back into their play.
Why is it that this team only seems interested in playing against the Calgary Flames? They started off the season playing fairly well and it seemed like okay, they may lose some close games, but at least they’re scoring. Now they’re not back to scoring.
They’re back at it in Chicago versus the Blackhawks tomorrow. That’s another opponent they should probably beat, but right now, it’s basically just a shrug emoji of which team will show up anymore.