LA Kings game notes: Flat out in 4-2 loss to Sharks – Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

For the second time in less than a week, the Los Angeles Kings had a date with the San Jose Sharks. Coming off their first win of the season against the Utah Hockey Club the night before, the Sharks defeated the Kings 4-2 in a row.

Competition, heart and urgency were absent from the Kings, and to come out with a game like that against the worst team in the league which was consecutive was brutal. Many top players were out all night and it didn't help that the Kings' leading scorer before this game, Kevin Fiala, (Alex Laferriere scored last night's lead) was fit because he failed to meet the team's goals and missed out. meeting.

Fiala's scratch meant that Akil Thomas would finally play his first game and he went into the middle of the wing in the second row to start the game and ended up scoring the first goal of the Kings by blocking Brandt Clarke's point.

The Kings never led in last night's game either, tying one of the two games before Tyler Toffoli and William Eklund scored for the Sharks.

Power Play is Cruel

The Kings struggled on many fronts last night but none as bad as the power play. They are currently ranked in the bottom four of the league and have had six scoring chances against the Sharks. Bad is not enough to describe it as they went 0/6.

Not scoring with so many chances is one thing but the Kings were not able to get organized and find the puck moving around the perimeter trying to get points in the net. The amount of individual talent the Kings have should be enough to at least get a decent look in the playoffs for a team like San Jose but since the start of the season, they haven't clicked at all. With Fiala scratched, Quinton Byfield took his place on the first unit at cornerback. Clean passes were hard to come by and it was an all around disaster for both units.

Exodus of the Rittichs

The Kings play the Vegas Golden Knights tonight in a back-to-back so it's no surprise that the coaching staff chose to go with David Rittich against the Sharks and let starter Darcy Kuemper face the Golden Knights. Rittich had a .850 save percentage and a minus-0.88 goals-against average. Two of the three goals allowed by Rittich are ones he would like to take back. The first goal had no business as it was a direct shot from off the screen. The second goal was also a clear glove side shot that Rittich just missed. The Kings played well enough to win this game but if Rittich catches both of those, it's a different game.

Many players are invisible

In general, Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe are consistently strong and are two of the most reliable frontcourt players the Kings have. Last night was completely different as they didn't show up offensively and didn't do very well defensively either finishing the night minus 3.

Related: LA Kings Game Notes: Clarke, Edmundson Propel Kings Past Utah

It's time again to start asking where Byfield and Trevor Moore are. Although they showed glimpses of positivity, they both looked out of it, almost game to game. Moore had a second assist last night but other than that, it was pretty much the same as we've seen from those two all season. Byfield looked like a monster in preseason and Moore led the team in goals last season but so far in nine games, they have one goal and seven points between them.

The Kings need to get this game out of their schedule as soon as the Pacific Division leading Golden Knights visit them tonight at 7 pm PST.