#LAKings Kings lifeless power play costly in loss to Golden Knights (Daily News)
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Kings left wing Brendan Lemieux, right, falls while under pressure from Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Jurco during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings left wing Austin Wagner, right, scores on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Kings left wing Austin Wagner, left, celebrates his goal with center Blake Lizotte during the first period of Monday’s game against Vegas at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings left wing Austin Wagner, left, falls as he passes the puck while under pressure from Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Nosek during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Nosek, left, and Kings center Blake Lizotte battle for the puck during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings left wing Andreas Athanasiou, left, tries to get a shot past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner, center, as defenseman Zach Whitecloud defends during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings center Anze Kopitar, left, falls as he moves the puck while under pressure from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings goaltender Cal Petersen makes a glove save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)during the first period of Monday’s game against Vegas at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings goaltender Cal Petersen, right, deflects a shot as Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Nosek, left, and defenseman Sean Walker watch during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson, left, tries to get a shot past Kings goaltender Cal Petersen during the first period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy, right, scores on Kings goaltender Cal Petersen, center, as defenseman Kale Clague watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kings goaltender Cal Petersen, left, is scored on by Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Zach Whitecloud during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Nicolas Roy #10 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings turn for the puck during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kings goalie Cal Petersen makes a glove save in front of Tomas Nosek #92 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Sean Walker #26 during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Christian Wolanin #21 of the Los Angeles Kings watches as Tomas Jurco #13 of the Vegas Golden Knights gets control of the puck during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Tomas Jurco #13 of the Vegas Golden Knights grabs the puck out of the air in front of Christian Wolanin #21 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Tomas Nosek #92 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates for the puck in front of Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Austin Wagner #27 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with Sean Walker #26 and Jonathan Quick #32, to take a 1-0 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Calvin Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save on Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Kale Clague #58 skates back during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights has his pass intercepted by Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Cal Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings watch play during the first period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores on Cal Petersen #40 of the Los Angeles Kings, to tie the game 2-2, during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his goal with Zach Whitecloud #2, to tie the game 2-2 with the Los Angeles Kings, during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Nicolas Roy #10 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his goal with the bench, to trail 2-1 to the Los Angeles Kings, during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Alex Iafallo #19 of the Los Angeles Kings and Dylan Coghlan #52 of the Vegas Golden Knights collide as they skate for the puck along the boards during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Austin Wagner #27 of the Los Angeles Kings fends off Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights as he skates to the goal during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights controls the puck in front of Adrian Kempe #9 of the Los Angeles Kings and Alex Pietrangelo #7 during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with Dustin Brown #23, to take a 2-0 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to his goal along with Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights, to take a 2-0 lead, during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Robin Lehner #90 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save in front of Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty trips as he moves the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, left, trips while under pressure from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch, right, scores the tiebreaking goal past Kings goaltender Cal Petersen during the third period of Monday’s game at Staples Center. Vegas scored four unanswered goals to win, 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his goal with Zach Whitecloud #2, to take a3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Kings, during the third period in a 4-2 Knights win at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates away from Kale Clague #58 of the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in a 4-2 Knights win at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner, top, deflects a shot as Los Angeles Kings left wing Carl Grundstrom watches during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his goal with Mark Stone #61, Jonathan Marchessault #81 and Shea Theodore #27, to take a 4-2 lead over the Los Angeles Kings,during the third period in a 4-2 Knights win at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Tomas Jurco #13 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings skate after the puck during the third period in a 4-2 Knights win at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan, left knocks the puck out of the air as goaltender Robin Lehner watches during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Monday, April 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Robin Lehner #90, Alex Pietrangelo #7 and Alec Martinez #23 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a 4-2 Knights win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on April 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Hours after the Kings parted ways with speedy mainstay Jeff Carter, their match with the Vegas Golden Knights was appropriately fast-paced and frenetic. But that tempo proved unsustainable for the Kings as they fell, 4-2, after allowing four unanswered goals on Monday night at Staples Center.
Winger Austin Wagner and center Anze Kopitar scored for the Kings, who have lost five of their last seven games. Cal Petersen had 37 saves.
Center Nicolas Roy, right winger Mark Stone, forward Alex Tuch and left winger Max Pacioretty tallied for Vegas. Defenseman Shea Theodore contributed two assists and Stone had one. Robin Lehner was less and less occupied as the game wore on, making 26 saves.
As the game progressed, Vegas carried five-on-five play increasingly and the Kings squandered power-play opportunities. They failed to convert on four power plays and registered just three shots while surrendering five short-handed shots, all of them dangerous, and one short-handed goal.
On a night when the Kings again struggled to defend long chances and manage the puck, McLellan singled out the power play as being especially counterproductive.
Power play. The lack of execution on the power play. If youre not scoring, your job is to create a little momentum and energy, he said. The life got sucked out of us on the power play and it opened the door for them to come back in and strike. And they did.
It was an inopportune loss, as both Arizona and San Jose lost Monday. The Kings remained six points back of idle fourth-place St. Louis for the final playoff berth in the West Division.
Winger Andreas Athanasiou nearly reclaimed a goal for the Kings soon after Vegas went ahead by a pair, but his shot struck the inside of the post. That was as close as the Kings came to making the finish intriguing, as offensive zone time was hard to come by in the final 10 minutes, despite about a minute of power-play time six-on-four to end the game.
The Golden Knights went on the power play for the first time in the third period and extended their lead to two goals. Pacioretty handled the puck at the top of the left faceoff circle, where he skated into a laser of a wrist shot. It seared through a Stone screen and by Petersen on the near side. Petersen did not appear to have sight of the puck. It was Paciorettys 20th goal of 2021 and the 300th of his career.
The Golden Knights had nearly doubled their lead while shorthanded but Petersen denied center Chandler Stephensons breakaway. On that power play, the Kings registered one shot Vegas had two shorthanded.
Vegas took its first lead of the game off its third straight goal, coming 4:35 into the third period. It was Tuch with an individual effort that was Nathan MacKinnon-esque. He burst through all three zones and smoked defenseman Christian Wolanin en route to a goal that seemed like a formality after his single-handed rush.
After trading blows and falling behind early, Vegas recuperated and made a strong push late in the second period. Much as the Kings had the final five shots of the first period, Vegas had the last seven of the second, including a pair of goals.
Theyre that strong that you go to sleep, you make a poor play or combine two or three bad plays or get caught out long, theyre making you pay for it, McLellan said. Thats what championship-caliber teams do. Were working toward that.
The grand finale came in the form of a short-handed equalizer. Stephenson knocked the puck loose to Stone, who was off to the races on a partial breakaway. Gabe Vilardi, who had drawn the penalty, gave chase and tried to lift Stones stick, but to no avail. He carried the puck on his forehand, took an aggressive stride to his left while moving to his backhand and then went back to his forehand to sweep the puck past Petersen.
When asked which goal was more perturbing, Stones shorty or Tuchs uncontested launch through nearly 200 feet of ice, McLellan had some difficulty deciding.
Do I have a C choice and say both? The power-play one was the toughest for me, because they had chances before that. We got sloppy, we got careless, he said.
Vegas got on the board with 5:40 to play in the second period. A blue-line-to-blue-line pass up the wall created a two-on-one rush for Vegas. Defensemen Olli Maatta had pinched, allowing the pass and leaving his partner Kale Clague to hustle back on defense. Clague took away the pass across to defenseman Alec Martinez, but Roy dragged the puck subtly and flipped it short side in between the arm and pad of Petersen.
In the first half of the game, Kings matched Vegas stride for stride, came away with a lead and even got a couple of licks in on Vegas top players.
They took a 2-0 lead at the 8:57 mark of the middle frame on a play that was equal parts grit and skill.
Left winger Alex Iafallo out-dueled two Golden Knights behind the net in a puck battle along the end boards. He kicked the puck over to right winger Dustin Brown, who promptly put it in front back to the opposite side where Kopitar one-timed the puck home.
Defenseman Drew Doughty caught up to Stone at the blue line and knocked him to the ice in the second period.
Petersen made several key stops, including a pair of saves in a matter of seconds on center Tomas Nosek.
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His play as well as that of his counterpart Lehner and Tuch, who prevented two likely goals on a single shift, had to be sharp in an end-to-end game. The teams surpassed 40 combined shots on goal well before the halfway mark and accumulated 55 through two periods.
The Kings also struck near the midpoint of the first period, 9:41 in, when they stayed with a transition opportunity.
After collecting the puck deep in the defensive zone, the outlet pass went to left winger Brendan Lemieux, who alertly sent it ahead to Wagner in space. He darted in on goal, pumped the brakes while transitioning to his forehand and slipped the puck through the five-hole for his first goal and second point since Feb. 27 at Minnesota.
Well get better, the suns going to rise tomorrow, and Wednesday we have them again, and well make sure that were ready to go, Wagner said.
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