LOS ANGELES — If it can make the Kings feel better, at least the Los Angeles area will be celebrating the Dodgers winning back-to-back World Series, and not focusing on the Kings still searching for their first win on home ice this season.
Another slow start for the Kings resulted in the New Jersey Devils scoring less than a minute and a half into the game. Luke Hughes notched his 100th career NHL point after Nico Hischier deflected his shot to give the Devils an early lead.
The Kings’ third line, in particular, of Alex Laferriere, Phillip Danault, and Trevor Moore, had a lot of good shifts in the offensive zone, but Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stood tall, stopping 14 shots in the first period.
Devils forward Brian Halonen scored his first career NHL goal to extend the Devils’ lead to start the second period. Halonen’s shot beat Darcy Kuemper between his pad and glove as Kuemper adjusted his positioning.
The Kings had two power-plays in the second period, but failed to capitalize. The second unit had a majority of the chances, but the Kings still couldn’t get one past Markstrom.
The Kings’ third power play came back to bite them — after Brandt Clarke’s aggressive pinch in the offensive zone, Dawson Mercer broke free on a two-on-one and scored shorthanded.
With 10:11 left in the third period, Andrei Kuzmenko finally got one past Markstrom on the glove side for his third goal of the year.
As the game came to an end with 3:53 left, the Kings took a risk. Down two goals and on the power-play, the Kings pulled Kuemper. But as the Devils gained possession off a faceoff in their defensive zone, Mercer scored on the empty net from his own zone for his second of the game.
“I don’t think we’re scoring many goals, obviously,” Kings captain Anže Kopitar said. “There’s not enough dirty goals, if you will. Not doing very good on our special teams, and usually that translates into losses.”
If there’s been any game at Crypto.com Arena that the Kings deserved to win, it was tonight’s game. Aside from the power-play that went 0 for 4, the Kings controlled a lot of the play, out-chanced the Devils, and stayed out of the penalty box.
“If you think back to the San Jose game, probably a little bit similar- we come out on the right side of it, and maybe this is the payback for that one in a week,” Kings head coach Jim Hiller said. “You’re happy to win- you got the two points in San Jose, and you’re disappointed with how you play. Tonight, you’re happy with the way you played, but you’re disappointed you don’t get the two points.”
The Kings will have their work cut out for them next week if they want to get that first home win of the season. They’ll host the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night and the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. If the Kings played like they did tonight, that first win could be on the horizon.