Kings Suffer Second Straight Loss to Kraken Before Christmas Break

The Los Angeles Kings faced a disappointing setback as they lost 3-2 to the Seattle Kraken on December 26, 2023, marking their second consecutive defeat against a last-place team. The loss came just a day after a defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets, leaving the Kings struggling with six losses in seven games.

In this matchup held at Crypto.com Arena, the Kings had hoped to leverage a home advantage against a Kraken team that had been battling injuries and had recently experienced a rough stretch of ten losses in eleven games. Despite the loss, the Kraken managed to secure a third consecutive win, showcasing resilience under challenging circumstances.

The Kings opened the game with strong territorial play, creating early opportunities for Adrian Kempe. Yet, true to their recent form, both teams ended the first period scoreless, highlighting their struggles as the two lowest-scoring teams in the league during the first period this season.

Second Period Breakdown

The game took a downturn for the Kings in the second period, as their penalty kill faltered once again. Just 70 seconds into the frame, Jordan Eberle scored, marking his third goal in as many games. Eberle’s goal came after a pass from Matty Beniers, who found him in a prime scoring position.

This goal extended a troubling trend for the Kings, who have allowed a power-play goal in four consecutive games. They have now surrendered three power-play goals in multiple games this season, a pattern that has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.

Frederick Gaudreau further extended the Kraken’s lead at 7:26. His seemingly harmless flick toward the net caught Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley off guard, resulting in what could be classified as an own goal. Copley, making his first start since December 10, recorded 25 saves but struggled at key moments.

The period concluded with Ben Meyers adding to Seattle’s tally, capitalizing on a defensive miscue from the Kings that left them vulnerable during a fast break. The Kings managed to respond quickly, with Kevin Fiala breaking through for a goal just eleven seconds later. Fiala’s goal, his 13th of the season, tied him with Kempe for the team lead.

Andrei Kuzmenko brought the Kings within one goal later in the period, scoring after receiving a precise pass from Brandt Clarke. This goal marked Kuzmenko’s second in two nights, providing a glimmer of hope for the Kings as they prepared for the final period.

Missed Opportunities and Continuing Struggles

Despite their efforts, the Kings could not capitalize on several opportunities in the third period. Fiala narrowly missed tying the game when he hit the post late in the match. The Kings also struggled with their power play, going 13 for their last 106 attempts since the start of the season. This statistic places them at the bottom of the NHL in power-play efficiency.

As the clock wound down, the Kings pressed for an equalizer but could not overcome the Kraken’s defense or the solid performance of goaltender Joey Daccord, who made 35 saves.

With the loss, the Kings hold a record of 15-12-9 and face increasing pressure to improve their offensive output. They have now scored two goals or fewer in 20 of their 36 games this season, winning only five of those matches.

As the team heads into the holiday break, they will need to regroup and address their ongoing challenges if they hope to turn their fortunes around in the second half of the season.