Kings at Least Make OT Loss to Flames Entertaining

I was concerned when the Flames signed Jaromir Jagr. Their team was already, shall we say tough? And to add such a legend to a team who’s been inching out the Kings into the postseason the last few years was concerning. As was the Kings performance for perhaps half of this game. Adrien Kempe took the first penalty, a habit I had hoped he kicked from the preseason. Especially since the Flames were all over Quick and scored easily. While the Kings have yet to score on the power play, giving up a goal on the penalty kill seemed practically easy. Le sigh. Less than 8 minutes in they had another. (The first came from Tkachuk, whom we all still bare a grudge for trying to kill Doughty last season. The second came from Frolik who tried to kill him at the end of the third. We do not care for them.) The Kings lacked chemistry. That 70’s line started strong but everything seemed to fall apart since the first couple of shifts. They had a power play in which Jake Muzzin occasionally played good hockey; he was about the only one. They had a second one a few minutes later which showed better chemistry between the players, but no chemistry with shots on goal. Seriously. None. Dustin Brown began a barrage of penalties on both sides to close out the first and the Kings were lucky it was only 2-0 by the end of it.

The second didn’t begin much better. Quick seemed off. While off for Quick is still better than your average goalie, but it was slightly concerning to see him unable to track the puck, giving up fat rebounds, and just generally slower than his usual magical self. To compound matters Kyle Clifford left the ice about 6 minutes in when he collided badly with the boards, aided by Flame Michael Stone. When Andy Andreoff retaliated I wanted to be able to say ‘great job for standing up for your teammate!’ However his attack was ineffectual and ended up costing the Kings 4 minutes shorthanded instead of doing anything morale building. (Clifford did not return to the game and was seen after with his arm in a sling.) The penalty kill was effective at least and somehow served to spring the Kings back to life. Anze Kopitar, whom we can all agree is completely 180’d from last season’s irregular slump, even went so far as to almost score shorthanded. Around the time the rest of the Kings started waking up, Muzzin decided he no longer needed to play well – he took a hooking penalty that perhaps saved a goal but still not what the Kings needed 2 minutes after Andreoff’s 4 minutes. Kopitar had the breakthrough. With 4:16 remaining he rocketed a shot from the slot that blew past Mike Smith and rejuvenated the team. Smith seemed a little off his game – he mad a bad play behind the net and interfered with Lewis when it was clear he wasn’t going to make it back around in front. The resulting power play led into the third period –

– where literally 1 second after it expired Brown got his first of the game. Good things happen when Brown goes to the front of the net. He tipped in Doughty’s shot, then 1:34 later, he tipped in Derek Forbert’s shot to bring the Kings the lead. They were on fire. Suddenly plays were connecting, Brown almost got the hat trick, Quick seemed more on top of things… The Kings just needed to hold onto the lead. Play a full 60 minutes. Well… They didn’t play for the first 30, so I guess at least keep their foot on the gas pedal. Tkachuk brought all that to a screaming halt when his shot equalized the score at 10:59. So. Close. Now don’t panic, but Doughty also got slammed into the boards and wasn’t getting up. DON’T PANIC. (Bring a towel.) Clearly, it wasn’t lasting and no one asked for concussion protocol because with 4:31 remaining he ended up in the box. Yay, he’s okay! Wait… Wasn’t a call I would have made, but I wouldn’t have made half the calls these refs did tonight.

That’s when things got weird. 17:06 Tkchuck tried to rip Quick’s head off. (Seriously hate that guy.) A whole scramble behind the net that you could tell Quick wanted to get in on didn’t serve up any more penalties, but it was entertaining. As was Doughty’s reaction to Tkchuck – yeah the fans aren’t the only ones who hate that guy. How shall I put this nicely – he made some gestures and words were exchanged through the glass. Interpret as you will. Soon after Brown and Troy Brouwer got into it and joined their teammates in the box. Quick managed to keep the Kings in it and Kings fans breathed a sigh of relief. OT! We’re great at that! What could possibly go wrong? Uh, yeah… Stevens could decide that Shore-Lewis-Muzzin would be a good combo. WHAT?! No. It wasn’t. I could tell for at least 10 seconds before the Flames actually won how it was going to go down. With no defense to help out, Quick would overextend to the player on his left who had the puck. That guy would then either shoot and give his teammate the rebound or pass to him so he could shoot into the open net. Man, I hate being right sometimes. The Kings got 5 of 6 points in their first three games so they’re still sitting pretty, but I still have just so many questions about this game.

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