Russell Morgan The LA Kings lose to the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 3-0 finishing with a 1-1-2 record on the four-game homestand.
Goal Breakdown
1st period:
CAR: Brady Skjei (3), ASST: Jordan Martinook (6), Jesper Fast (5)
CAR: Martin Necas (12), ASST: Brent Burns (13), Stefan Noesen (8)
2nd period:
CAR: Sebastian Aho (10), ASST: Martin Necas (16), Seth Jarvis (7)
3rd period:
LAK: Arthur Kaliyev PPG (9), ASST: Phillip Danault (12), Sean Durzi (12)
CAR: Andrei Svenchnikov (15), ASST: Brent Burns (14), Brett Pesce (6)
LAK: Samuel Fagemo (1), ASST: Blake Lizotte (4), Matt Roy (8)
First of a ton for Fagemo.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/NvdqQEFJgf
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) December 4, 2022
LA beat by a heavy Carolina team
In a season that’s been full of frustration for the LA Kings, last night’s 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes didn’t quite have that same type of disappointment. The Canes were simply the better team.
Sure the Kings had their opportunities and mounted a late charge, but it was Carolina that dominated early to give them a 3-0 lead going into the third period. LA had no answer to their hard-checking and strong play along the boards. A very similar game to the one that helped get two cups lifted in STAPLES Center.
The loss magnified the need for strength and size on the back end. It’s no secret it’s LA’s missing piece. If they can’t succeed in the rush game, a tighter checking 60 minutes will continue to give them trouble.
Kaliyev needs even more PP time
Arthur Kaliyev is one of the NHL’s top power play producers. With last night’s goal, he’s currently tied for fourth in the league in PP markers with four and leads all players with 7.07 goals/60 on the man advantage. It’s good to see the second unit focus more on getting Kaliyev the puck in a prime shooting location. But the team should be utilizing Kaliyev even more.
Arty just really loves a power play party pic.twitter.com/igQ9pccAnH
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 4, 2022
Right now Kaliyev is averaging only 11:37 time on ice per game playing on the bottom six. If his low minutes during 5-on-5 play are to continue the Kings need to find ways to get Arty even more time on the power play. Maybe consider using him on both units the same way the Capitals utilize Alex Ovechkin.
Season-defining road trip?
The Kings will now jet off to begin a season-long six-game road trip starting on Tuesday in Ottawa. With LA carrying a 13-10-4 record heading into the trip, a disappointing result from the next group of games could dig them a hole they won’t be able to get out of.
The Kings found success last year during a similar type of trip in the early part of the season. LA must find a way to salvage at least six of the 12 points available to them.
UP NEXT: The Kings start a season-long six-game road trip on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators at 4:00 pm PT.
Featured image: Kyusung Gong