Kings Lose 4-1 in Another Lame Game

By Jim Ellis
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Updated: October 16, 2018

The game ends, mercifully. I hear my wife in the other room echoing sentiments of disgust. “That was the lamest game ever.”

I must remind her. “Oh honey, the Kings have stunk it up much worse than that.”

But for the moment. Yeah, that was pretty dumb.

One of the opponent’s goals coming in the first minute … from behind our net … basically unassisted.
Another goal coming from Patrick Marleau setting up shop near the crease waiting forever for the opportune time Drew Doughty could position his skate for a deflection.
About three minutes of solid, intense, energetic effort in the opponent’s zone … only to result in a Maple Leafs’ goal seconds later.
A “power” play that has a record still unblemished. Zero of 21 up to now.
Out of sync passing and play.
A no-look – and no-thought – pass by Derek Forbort, leading to an outnumbered attack and then goal.
Goaltending – giving up 4 goals on the first 19 shots – that would carry a GREAT save percentage … if it were a batting average.
And a sense of urgency and passion that is only out-nothinged by the deadpan face of coach John Stevens.

Result? A 4-1 loss to the mighty (so far) Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night. With a 2-4-1 record, the tail-between-their-legs Kings next face the New York Islanders at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 18 at the Staples Center.

The good news is the Kings team is getting its fair share of shots … low quality, but still. We saw a pretty goal from Ilya Kovalchuk on a slick pass from Alex Iafallo. Also, the defense isn’t giving up that many shots. Jonathan Quick – where ARE you? Adrian Kempe is still flying around playing like the outcome of the game depended on it. Oh wait? Wouldn’t that be true for all the Kings? Well, anyway.

We are definitely missing #23 Dustin Brown. I look towards the net as one of our Kings takes a slap shot, hoping to see his mischievously planted self-blocking out the opponent’s goalie. But alas I’m left with: Dustin Brown – where ARE you?

And yet, it’s early. No need to worry.

But something has got to change this trajectory.

After the game when asked if the team could take its play up to another gear, coach Stevens said, “I think we can. I think we have to.”

No duh.

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