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Recap, Los Angeles Kings @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Half-Full or Half-Empty?

IF YOUR GLASS IS HALF-EMPTY, READ THE FOLLOWING RECAP.

The Kings went into Tampa last night and lost 5-0. There isn’t a lot of good that can be taken from a game like this, so let’s tell you why you should be concerned.

The first period saw the Kings get 19 shots saved by Ben Bishop, and their early efforts went to waste when Drew Doughty hooked Tyler Johnson; a 4-on-4 resulted, but the open ice gave Tampa Bay a chance to open things up. Jake Muzzin overcommitted in the offensive zone, and Jonathan Drouin went the other way. Tyler Toffoli was helpless to stop Drouin, and Peter Budaj couldn’t make a save he should’ve made on the short side. Predictably, it was 1-0.

It was a classic Muzzin night, as Jake was on the ice for four goals against and played 21 minutes despite the lopsided outcome. He also joined Martinez by notching his third -4 or worse of the season, and they’re the first Kings to do that in 24 years. The rest of the defense was just as bad, though; Alec Martinez had his lowest TOI figure of the season, Derek Forbort got beaten on the fourth goal, and Paul LaDue was on with Muzzin for the Drouin goal. He also was on for the third goal, which was Gabriel Dumont’s first NHL goal since 2013. Talk about frustrating!

The forwards couldn’t bail anyone out, though, as they were shut out in regulation for the third straight game. Jeff Carter didn’t have a single shot on goal, and he and Tyler Toffoli were on for three of Tampa’s five goals. Andy Andreoff and Nick Shore each played more than fourteen minutes, which was a sign of resignation from Coach Darryl Sutter. Nic Dowd and Dwight King were useless on the power play. And Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik, and Dustin Brown yet again failed to drive the offense from the top line.

Peter Budaj couldn’t stop pucks, either. Every high-danger chance for the Lightning in the second went in, while the fifth goal was off an ugly rebound. It was a top-to-bottom disaster, and I’ll be surprised if the Kings win in Florida on Thursday.

IF YOUR GLASS IS HALF-FULL, READ THE FOLLOWING RECAP.

The Kings went into Tampa last night and lost 5-0. There is some good that can be taken from a game like this, so let’s tell you why you should take a deep breath.

The first period saw the Kings get 19 shots on goal, and their early efforts gave way to an opportunity when Tyler Johnson embellished a tug from Drew Doughty; a 4-on-4 resulted, but the open ice gave Los Angeles a chance to open things up. Jake Muzzin was aggressive in the offensive zone, but Jonathan Drouin went the other way. Tyler Toffoli rotated properly but failed to stop Drouin, and Peter Budaj was beaten by a perfect shot on the short side. In spite of a great start, it was 1-0.

It was a classic Muzzin night, as Jake was on the ice for 18 5-on-5 shot attempts and played 21 minutes even with the lopsided outcome. He also joined Martinez by notching his third -4 or worse of the season, and they’re the first Kings to do that since three Hall of Famers in the early ‘90s. The rest of the defense was just as snakebit, though; Alec Martinez played hard, Derek Forbort got to play with some new partners, and Paul LaDue made his NHL debut and looked decent. He also was unfortunate to be on for the third goal, which was Gabriel Dumont’s first NHL goal since 2013. Talk about inspiring!

The forwards couldn’t bail anyone out, though, as they were tired after such an effective first period. Jeff Carter did some passing, and he and Tyler Toffoli are still friends. Andy Andreoff and Nick Shore each played more than fourteen minutes, which was a sign of hope from Coach Darryl Sutter. Nic Dowd and Dwight King were physical; check out this huge hit. And Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik, and Dustin Brown yet again hit a post and also did other stuff, I think.

Peter Budaj couldn’t stop himself from putting in sixty minutes, either. Every high-danger chance for the Lightning in the second was a really good look, while the fifth goal was kinda funny to look at, so that helps! It was a top-to-bottom learning experience, and I’ll be surprised if the Kings get shut out yet again in Florida on Thursday.

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