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No edge in Kings game during loss to Isles |
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The Kings got off to a 2-0 lead in the first period but couldn’t build on it as they lost to the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime.
With LA down 3-2 late in the third period, Anze Kopitar was able to drub in a rebound past Thomas Griess to tie the game with 13 seconds left.
However, early into overtime Jordan Eberle received a pass on a two-on-one and ripped a shot past Darcy Kuemper and claimed the bonus point for the Islanders.
This loss was frustrating for the Kings as after the first period, they had issues getting anything going in the offensive zone. Kopitar did his best to describe that feeling after game.
“I think we’re not a confident group right now,” said the captain. “We’re more playing not to lose than we are to win so we’ve got to turn that around.”
That last statement really rang true for the Kings on Saturday night. They fought tooth and nail to just hang on to their 2-1 lead until John Tavares scored late in the second period to tie it.
After that, the Kings couldn’t get any momentum in the offensive zone until the dying seconds of regulation and six attackers on the ice.
In other words, they were lucky to get the single point.
“I don’t really know what ‘confidence’ is,” mused John Stevens. “It sucks when you lose, that’s the bottom line. So maybe the spirit’s a little bit not what it was when you’re winning hockey games.”
“’Confidence’. It’s a dangerous word because confidence comes from preparation. Guys like [Kopitar] prepare all the time so that’s why he’s a confident player all the time.”
Earlier in the road trip we hear Alec Martinez say that he though the team was not prepared to take on the New Jersey Devils. Now we’re hearing Kopitar say that they aren’t confident right now. Those are words that need to be used carefully, especially when talking to the media because it can blow up quickly.
As it was a back-to-back situation for the Kings, Kuemper got the start and he played very well. Kuemper stopped 29 of 33 shots throughout the game and had to be on his game for the majority of the latter two thirds of the game in order to give the Kings a chance to win.
There was only one roster change after the Kings loss to the New York Rangers on Friday night. Oscar Fantenberg drew into the lineup, replacing Kurtis MacDermid, and it paid dividends immediately by him scoring the Kings first goal of the game.
Coming up next, the Kings end their tour of Metropolitan Division cities with a stop in Philadelphia on Monday night. The Flyers are currently on a six game winning streak, including a 2-1 overtime win against the Dallas Stars on Saturday. This comes after they lost 10 games in a row at the end of November so they are a team that can run hot or cold… much like the Kings.
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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