Kings head to Seattle looking to shake 3-game slump
Even before they flew to Seattle, the land of dreary rain and Kurt Cobain, there was a bit of gloom in the Kings’ room ahead of their Saturday match with the NHL’s youngest organization.
The Kings have lost three consecutive games, blowing a two-goal lead to start their slide and falling in each of their last two contests by three scores. They’ve managed just five goals during the lull, which represents their first three-game slump of a campaign that’s seen them at or near the top of the NHL in many key statistical categories.
“We’ve got slapped here a couple of times, maybe our team needs it a bit. I’m concerned about game management again, I’m concerned about playing in pieces,” said coach Todd McLellan, referring to disjointed and incomplete substitutions in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Winnipeg.
“I don’t think we’re playing as units of five right now, I don’t know if there’s a little selfishness creeping in, but it’ll be addressed and it will be fixed,” he added.
The Kings were shorthanded in that affair, having seen defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov injure his knee and then aggravate that injury during a back-to-back set in New York. The rearguard was placed on injured reserve Friday.
Also Friday, just before the Kings were to travel to Seattle, goalie Pheonix Copley sustained an injury at practice and needed assistance to leave the ice, as first reported by Russell Morgan of Hockey Royalty. That led to the emergency recall of veteran goalie David Rittich from the Ontario Reign.
While his status has been deemed week to week, winger Arthur Kaliyev appeared set to return from the illness that sidelined him Wednesday. The Kings remained without another top flanker, Viktor Arvidsson, as he recovered from back surgery.
Defenseman Jacob Moverare seized his opportunity with a sound game Wednesday in Gavrikov’s stead, and following a minor-league conditioning assignment Tobias Bjornfot rejoined the parent club. They are both left-hand-shooting defensemen. Bjornfot played extensively with Jordan Spence at the minor-league level in previous years, and Moverare skated alongside Gavrikov’s usual partner, Matt Roy, on Wednesday.
“Mo’s a good, solid defender. He’s consistent and he’s really good positionally, so it was good to play with him,” Roy said.
The Kings endured a three-game funk three times last season, but never dropped a fourth consecutive decision, a trend that they hope holds Saturday.
“You need to have a short memory. We know that we have the skillset to win any game and beat any team,” Roy said. “So we just need to take a pause, regroup and come back with a good effort.”
In Seattle, they’ll face a fledgling franchise that made the 2023 playoffs and knocked off the then-defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche. This season, the Kraken’s fortunes have waned. They’ve won just two of their past 10 games, albeit the last two, including a 7-1 devouring of Chicago on Thursday.
Oliver Bjorkstrand and defenseman Vince Dunn co-lead the Kraken in scoring, with former Nashville first-rounder Eeli Tolvanen adapting nicely to his new environs since being claimed off waivers a year ago.
KINGS AT SEATTLE
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
TV/radio: KCAL (Ch. 9)