Kings’ high hopes for offense weren’t enough
Kopitar’s solid start reason to cheer early
LOS ANGELES —Itwasnosecret the Los Angeles Kings needed to jump-starttheiroffenseinthewestern Conference quarterfinal series against the Golden Knights.
Coach John Stevens believed he got what he wanted from his team at times in Game 3 on Sunday night. It just wasn’t enough as the Kings fell behind 3-0 in the series with a 3-2 loss at Staples Center.
“I thought (Anze Kopitar) was really good for us despite having guys draped all over him all night,” Stevens said. “I thought we created a lot more offensive looks, zone time and quality looks around the net and that’s going to have to continue for us.
“I thought we played a really solid hockey game. All three of their goals came from plays off the wall. The first one was on a stolen puck on the forecheck where we got beat off the wall. The second play we got beat along the wall and the third one was off the faceoff.
“Those are critical errors at critical times that cost you a hockey game. It’s unfortunate. I thought we made a good push to create more zone time tonight and made (Knights goaltendermarc-andre)fleuryworkalittle harder than he had earlier in the series, but some critical errors along the wall cost us a chance to win.”
Hisoffensivestarstakedthekings off to a promising start. Kopitar created a turnover in the defensive zone in the first period and pushed forwardtogetthepuckdeepinthe Knights’ zone, before finding Alex Iafalloonthefarposttogivethe Kings their first lead of the series.
“I think we took our foot off the pedal there for a bit,” Iafallo said. “We can’t do that. We have to keep battling.
“They have a good team. We’re aware of that. We had a good two periods,butwehavetoplaythree full periods against them.”
The Kings have talked throughout the series about utilizing their defensetogenerateoffense,anditwas no coincidence the opening goal occurred with the Kings’ top defen- sivepairingontheice.
Drew Doughty had missed Game 2 because of a suspension and Jake Muzzin had been out since March 26 duetoinjury.
“It’s been a long time,” Muzzin said Sunday afternoon of his return to action. “I’m excited. It’s tough to watch, but I’m excited to do whatevericantohelptheteamwin.”
Muzzinsaiditwasdifficulttositin the press box and watch, but it did gave him a chance to analyze what could be done to forge a path back into the series.
The road just got longer.
Stevens upset with Haula hit
Stevenswasunhappywithaplay by Erik Haula in front of the Kings’ net late in the second period when he appeared to strike Kopitar.
“We got (Doughty) suspended for making a hockey play and (Haula hits) one of the best players in the world with the butt-end of his stick,” Stevens said. “If I was confused before, I’m bewildered now. That’s an intenttoinjureplay.idon’tlikehard hockey, I love hard hockey. I love good, honest, hard hockey. Kopitar is about as tough a guy as you can find. You guys make the judgment because it’s a bunch of ‘BS’ to be honestwithyou.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@ reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @Adamhilllvrj on Twitter.