Missed tripping call, Jakob Chychrun now available, and Other LA Kings Bullets

The LA Kings lost Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in overtime. The Lightning benefited from a missed tripping call on Viktor Arvidsson, leading to an odd-man rush with the Kings’ forward down on the ice and eventually the game-winner.

Following the game, Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph even agreed there should have been something called on the play:

Mathieu Joseph thought he could have been called for penalty shortly before he went on rush for OT goal. Felt fortunate to beat Quick there, great shot there. @TBLightning

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) December 15, 2021

• Anze Kopitar was called for a similar tripping penalty at the end of the second period. If you’re going to make that call, you have to call it both ways.
• On a positive note, the Kings got a hard-earned point to start the four-game roadtrip off to a somewhat positive note.

“I think you always have to look at the game as a whole,” Todd McLellan said via LA Kings Insider. “We came into the Stanley Cup champs building, we were pretty short on the backend and played a solid, 64 minutes and earned a point. Were there moments in the game where we’d like to be better? Of course there are, but on your best night you’re going to find that. Without sounding satisfied, because we’re not, we came for two points, it was a well-played, solid game by us.”

• After previously stating that Jakob Chychrun was practically untouchable, Elliotte Friedman dropped a bombshell yesterday in his 32 Thoughts column:

Arizona GM Bill Armstrong refused to comment when asked, but it now sounds like the Coyotes are gauging the market on Jakob Chychrun. I’ve heard the ask is massive, but that doesn’t mean opponents are running away. He’s signed for three more years at a very reasonable $4.6 million AAV and is a terrific player. This is one to watch.

• Chychrun fits what the Kings have been looking for in a dynamic, left-shot D man that it makes too much sense not to pursue a trade for the 23-year-old. Yes, as Friedman notes, it will be a hefty return the other way, but the Kings have the prospects and draft capital to get this deal done.
• Staying on this topic, it makes even more sense to pursue right now, given Alex Edler’s long-term injury, age, and contract status. Olli Maatta will also be a UFA in the offseason after what has turned out to be a disappointing tenure in Los Angeles thus far.
• The Kings badly need more offensive production from their blue line, and while Chychrun is having a down year, I believe that is more of a reflection of the current state of the Coyotes’ roster.
• After the Kings wrap up their four-game roadie, they’ll return home for a rematch against the Edmonton Oilers, who have now lost six straight games following their historic start to the season.

Oilers drop their sixth straight, falling 5-1 to the Maple Leafs. Something needs to change — and fast.

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) December 15, 2021

• The NHL and other leagues are experiencing increased positive COVID tests over the last couple of days. Let’s hope that everyone stays safe and that nothing gets shutdown, but it certainly feels like March 2020 all over again:

With rash of COVID cases in the NHL this week — including nearly the entire Flames roster — expect NHL & NHLPA to announce enhanced protocols.

Daily testing, mandatory masks, limited community interactions.

Many NHL players have been boosted, but league hasn’t mandated it.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 15, 2021

• Ryan Reaves and former LA King Kurtis MacDermid dropped the gloves last night. Big boy fighting:

https://twitter.com/rtaub_/status/1470956850678059008?s=21

• Assuming Martin Chromiak isn’t one of the final three cut from Team Slovakia’s roster, which shouldn’t be the case, here are the LA Kings players that will participate in the World Juniors:

https://twitter.com/pasha_in_russia/status/1470861511430066176?s=21

• Perhaps lost in the tight finish last night, Andreas Athanasiou was seen not putting any weight on his leg and was helped down to the locker room. He’s had some bad luck this year after recently returning from the NHL’s COVID protocol. Blake Lizotte should be returning from COVID protocol here soon, likely to the 4C spot alongside Brendan Lemieux. However, AA’s absence opens the door for someone else to step up.

Andreas Athanasiou Injury Update 👇👇 https://t.co/BRCZY9ZFmF

— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 15, 2021