Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens trade shots, but the Habs cash a power play swing

The Los Angeles Kings left Crypto.com Arena with a 25-23-14 record and 3 points after the Montreal Canadiens improved to 34-18-10 and 4 points in a 4-3 result. The Los Angeles Kings vs Montreal Canadiens match summary starts with the Kings generating 39 shots while the Canadiens finished with 23 shots and the deciding edge came from Montreal converting 1 power play chance.

First period

The Los Angeles Kings opened with 1 goal in the first period while the Canadiens were held to 0, and Los Angeles also set an early physical tone with 32 hits in the game compared with Montreal’s 21. The Kings won 22 faceoffs to Montreal’s 23, and that early puck distribution helped Los Angeles get to volume looks that foreshadowed a 30-missed-shots night. Brandt Clarke anchored the Kings’ first-period push and finished the game with 2 assists and 3 shots, which later landed him among the 3 stars.

Second period

The Los Angeles Kings added 1 more goal in the second period, but the Canadiens answered with 2 goals to tilt the middle frame. Los Angeles went 0-for-3 on the power play despite 9 power play shots, while Montreal went 1-for-1 with 1 power play shot, making special teams the separator in this Los Angeles Kings vs Montreal Canadiens review. The Kings’ pressure continued at even strength where they scored 3 even-strength goals on 30 even-strength shots, but Montreal’s goaltending line ended with 36 saves on 39 shots against.

Third period

The Los Angeles Kings scored 1 goal in the third period, yet the Canadiens produced 2 goals in the third to close the scoring. Darcy Kuemper took the loss with 19 saves on 23 shots against and 4 goals against, while Montreal’s netminder posted the winning credit with 36 saves. Montreal’s edge also showed in finishing with a 17 shooting percent rate compared with the Kings’ 8, a key note for post game analysis as Los Angeles paired heavy zone time with a lower conversion rate. The Canadiens’ top-end finishers earned the spotlight with Juraj Slafkovský listed as the first star and Nick Suzuki as the second star, while the Kings’ rally points came through Clarke’s 2 assists in a post-game report Los Angeles Kings fans will track.

The Los Angeles Kings are scheduled to play the Columbus Blue Jackets on 3/9/2026 at 4:00 PM EDT at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Fans can watch on ESPN+ and on FDSW and FDSOH for the broadcast window tied to that road game.

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