Kings Lose to Capitals on Not-So-Super Sunday
- Updated: February 6, 2017
I can’t believe I have to write about this game. What a drag.
First off it was on Superbowl Sunday. Wasn’t there another game on this day? Don’t even want to go there. Secondly we had to watch the recently invincible goalie Peter Budaj – coming into the game leading the league in GAA and shutouts (seven, with two in a row, three in his last four games) – become oh so … “vincible.” Then there was Alec Martinez who can be seen routinely on the ice when the D gives up a goal, earning a minus-four for the evening. And the turnovers and the inability to score…
Oh, and did I mention … a 5-0 dreadful loss to the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center? Yup. The 27-22-4 Los Angeles Kings will next face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 4:30 p.m. pst, Tuesday, February 7 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
For the non-super Sunday game, the lone Los Angeles Kings highlight was … actually I don’t think there was one. They did out-shoot the Capitals 38-20, which says something, but I’m not sure it’s positive. How can the back of the net be so elusive for the team? Was it the back-to-back game? Were they complacent with a 5-game winning streak, going up against a very strong Washington team? They had some chances early, then fell behind, and then just lost it.
The Capitals had plenty of highlights. Goalie Philipp Grubauer earned a shutout saving all 38 shots. With a league-leading 36-11-6 record and a wickedly accurate offense, in passing and scoring, the Caps scored four goals on 15 shots against Budaj, who gave up the crease to backup Jeff Zatkoff in the third period. The opponent capitalized on Kings mistakes, as evidenced by goals that came with an offense left alone in front of the LA net on occasion. Case in point, the third goal came via Brett Connolly on a two on NONE rush.
The Kings – in the first slot of the wild card, one point over Calgary – will have to rebound from what one announcer called “colossal meltdowns” on defense and return to the game that has earned them a couple Cups and some notoriety in the league. They will have to do so without Jordan Nolan, who was put on injured reserve with a muscle pull.
OK, as Fox Sports West’s Patrick O’Neal says, we’ll “park this one” and move on. Next.
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