Is it too early to worry about the power play?
It’s too early, right?
The Kings picked up their first win of the season last night over the Detroit Red Wings with a final score of 4-2, which was great news, but less great news is the fact that they’re still coming up with a big old goose egg on the power play. Granted, they’re in good company: the Sharks, Lightning, Predators, and Golden Knights are among the nine teams who have yet to register a goal on the man advantage.
Some of the wounds are self-inflicted; the Kings have repeatedly negated power plays by immediately taking penalties of their own, including a high-sticking penalty from Jeff Carter last night just seven seconds into a Kings power play.
Between losing important faceoffs, failure to get set up in the zone, and a seeming inability to stay there once they have the puck, it’s just not looking great. The Kings registered just three shots on the power play last night, two of which came from Ilya Kovalchuk. There’s still 80 games left, but something has got to give eventually.
That first power play goal is going to feel real good when it finally happens.
Kings Things
All that power play stuff was a real downer. Here, watch this.
Off a pass from Ilya Kovalchuk, Anze Kopitar nets a beauty to put the LA Kings on the board first 👏#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/Jkhe8Jy2Dl
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 8, 2018
The Ontario Reign won a wild 6-5 game in overtime against the Stockton Heat. [Reign Insider]
Winging it in Motown breaks down the play by Dylan Larkin last night that led to Kopitar’s opening goal. [WIIM]
Ilya Kovalchuk recorded two assists last night, his first points in a Kings uniform, and first in the NHL since 2013. [NHL]
Drake Rymsha and Matt Luff had a very important message for Jaret Anderson-Dolan.
We couldn’t agree more with Matt Luff and Drake Rymsha. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/5mQfMLXJh5
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 8, 2018
Attention, everyone who has ever asked why the Kings don’t salute fans on ice after a game.
We do it for all of you, LA Kings fans ❤️#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/a0Q6iYFw8F
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 8, 2018
The Kings did some fancy cap management in order to recall Peter Budaj.
With Matt Luff being recalled prior to Brown’s LTIR placement, the #LAKings found themselves only $20,992 from the ceiling, which gave them a new upper limit and ACSL of $79,479,008.
The Kings can now exceed their new ceiling by $5,875,000, more than enough to recall Budaj. https://t.co/ivyuWY1j5V
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) October 7, 2018
Elsewhere in the World
If teams know what’s good for them, they’ll keep putting together players and pups calendars. The Capitals are already on it. [RMNB]
The Dallas Stars are off to a hot start, but there’s still reasons for skepticism. [Defending Big D]
Speaking of hot starts, the Buffalo Sabres are looking to reverse their years-long trend of losing records. [Buffalo News]
Goaltender Meeri Räisänen is looking forward to the challenge of playing in North America. [The Ice Garden]
The Blackhawks honored Stan Mikita with a moving tribute before their home opener last night. [NHL]
William Nylander still doesn’t have a contract. Can past RFA hold-out Nikita Kucherov’s contract be a bluepirint for moving forward? [Raw Charge]
Your Semi-Regular Check-In With Justin Williams
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win with… whatever this is. Justin Williams leads the way. I’m not sure what this is, but I like it. pic.twitter.com/5SbMtDr24b
— Brett Finger (@brett_finger) October 7, 2018
Hockey is our life and job…but it is still a game. Enjoy the good times and have fun with it…let’s celebrate more this year. Great win tonight #TakeWarning https://t.co/POvYY8z3qQ
— Justin Williams (@JustinWilliams) October 8, 2018
The #Canes are off to a 🔥 start in these beauties. pic.twitter.com/5OAnU0cEka
— Michael Smith (@MSmithCanes) October 8, 2018