Ouch! Imagine losing a heartbreaker in a shootout, not just once, but twice to your rivals. That's exactly the situation the Los Angeles Kings find themselves in. But here's the kicker: they get an immediate chance at redemption! They face the Anaheim Ducks again on Saturday night, a chance to avenge Friday's agonizing 3-2 shootout defeat. Talk about pressure!
This isn't just any loss; it's a loss to their SoCal rivals, the Anaheim Ducks. And this isn't the first time the Ducks have stung the Kings in a shootout this season. Back on November 28th, the Kings were comfortably ahead 4-2 midway through the third period in Anaheim. But, as hockey can often be, the game took a cruel twist, ending in a 5-4 shootout loss. Friday’s game saw a similar pattern, with the Kings jumping to a 2-0 lead in the second period, only to see it slip away.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue it's just bad luck, while others would say it points to deeper issues with closing out games.
This latest defeat marks the Kings' third consecutive loss and their fifth in the last six games. What's particularly painful is that three of those losses came after regulation time, highlighting a struggle to secure victories even when playing competitively.
Kings forward Joel Armia, who had a strong return with a goal and an assist after missing five games due to an upper-body injury, expressed the team's frustration. "We’ve been on the wrong side of the luck sometimes," Armia said. "It’s frustrating, but we’ve just got to stay cool here and focus on the next game and go win it.” His words reflect a determination to bounce back, but can they truly shake off the sting of these recent losses?
The Kings are currently battling injuries, missing key players such as captain Anze Kopitar (lower body) and forwards Corey Perry (personal) and Trevor Moore (upper body). The Ducks aren't immune to injury woes either. Leo Carlsson is sidelined for approximately three to five weeks after a procedure on his left thigh. Troy Terry missed his fourth straight game due to an upper-body injury, and Chris Kreider was out because of an illness.
In a surprising move, Anaheim utilized defenseman Ian Moore on their fourth forward line. Ducks forward Mason McTavish praised Moore's performance and the team's adaptability. "There’s a lot of opportunities for guys to step up, and I’m proud of the way the guys are doing that,” McTavish said. “We have a defenseman playing forward and he’s buzzing out there. … It’s fun to watch those guys … take a step.” Sometimes, unexpected changes can spark a team, but will it be enough for the Ducks to capitalize on the Kings' current struggles?
Looking ahead to Saturday's game, Ville Husso is likely to start in goal for the Ducks, replacing Lukas Dostal, who made 26 saves on Friday. Husso’s last NHL start was on January 8th, resulting in a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. His overall record in his last three starts is 0-2-1. Interestingly, Husso has a decent record against the Kings in his career, going 3-1-1 with a 3.19 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. He actually started against the Kings earlier this season on November 28th, earning a win in that 5-4 shootout victory.
For the Kings, Anton Forsberg is expected to get the nod in goal, following Darcy Kuemper's 26-save performance on Friday. Forsberg is coming off a shootout win against the Edmonton Oilers on January 10th, where he stopped all three shootout attempts. However, his career record against Anaheim is less impressive, with a 1-4-0 record, a 3.18 GAA, and an .894 save percentage.
Armia reiterated the importance of focusing on the next game. “Every game is an opportunity to win,” Armia said. “It’s a good thing (the next game is) going to come quick. You can’t stay sad or whatever, just got to keep your head up and go on and win the next game.”
So, here's the question: Can the Kings shake off their recent misfortunes and exact revenge on the Ducks, or will Anaheim continue to have their number? And this is the part most people miss... The mental game is just as crucial as physical skill. Which team has the stronger mindset heading into this rematch? Does experience matter more than recent performance?
What do you think? Will the Kings find redemption, or will the Ducks continue their dominance? Are these losses simply bad luck, or are there deeper issues at play for the Kings? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
