Can the Los Angeles Kings Bounce Back After Narrow Defeat to Predators?
The Los Angeles Kings, with a record of 0-1, faced off against the Nashville Predators, who now hold a 1-0 record after the latest game at Crypto.com Arena. The final score stood at 2-1 in favor of the visiting team.
In an evenly matched contest, both teams showcased their defensive capabilities. The Kings registered a total of 22 hits and blocked 16 shots throughout the game. Despite their efforts and winning faceoffs by a margin of 55 percent, they were unable to capitalize on their chances as much as they would have hoped. The Kings' goaltender made an impressive total of 31 saves but ultimately fell short as the team conceded two goals.
The Predators demonstrated resilience on defense with a total of 29 hits and an outstanding number of blocked shots at 23. Their goaltender played a pivotal role in securing their victory by saving all but one of the Los Angeles shots for a save percentage rounding up to one hundred percent.
A critical moment came during powerplay opportunities where both teams managed to score once; however, it was Nashville's efficiency during even strength play that made the difference. They scored one goal from twenty-five even strength shots compared to none by Los Angeles from twenty-seven attempts.
Los Angeles did have more powerplay opportunities than Nashville—five compared to three—but only converted once with seven shots taken during those advantages. This lackluster performance on special teams could be seen as one area where improvement is needed moving forward.
The game was not without its offensive attempts by Los Angeles; they took thirty-four shots in total but were hindered by Nashville's solid defense and goaltending which only allowed one goal through.
Looking ahead, fans can catch the next game for the Los Angeles Kings when they host New York Rangers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on January 21st at 7:30 PM local time (PST). This encounter will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+ via internet streaming and locally on KCAL TV while fans from away can tune into MSG or MSG2 channels depending upon their location for live coverage.