LOS ANGELES — The Kings were rested, apparently, to the point of lethargy in their 1-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, with their defanged power play sapping any offensive momentum they were able to generate from their game.
The Kings, who had three days off before the game, have now dropped three of their past four decisions, all in regulation, while the Sabres have won five of their past seven, despite the continued absence of leading scorer Tage Thompson (undisclosed). He was expected to join goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, who was injured in the same game against Montreal, on the ice Wednesday but was ruled out earlier in the day.
The Kings had five power plays in the game and failed to convert on any of them. Their new, five-forward unit was largely ineffective – it has yet to score a goal in two games – and their second unit stayed cold, having yet to convert all season.
David Rittich made 18 saves in his second consecutive start in place of the injured Darcy Kuemper.
Jason Zucker scored the game’s only goal, and Luukkonen repelled all 24 shots he faced.
The Kings pressed late in the third period, pulling Rittich early and keeping the puck in the zone for an extended period while playing six-on-five. Quinton Byfield’s point-blank opportunity went awry as his stick broke and the Kings were only less menacing afterward.
A mere 38 seconds into the final period, Buffalo finally put a goal on the board, converting on its third power play of the night. Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson’s clearing attempt was disrupted by the stick of Alex Tuch, making the puck easy prey for Rasmus Dahlin. His shot from the point was tipped home by Zucker for his 200th career goal.
Through two periods of action, each team had a modest 12 shots. That wasn’t for lack of opportunities, as the Kings had four power plays. Both their units made noise on the Kings’ third man-advantage chance, with Byfield and Anże Kopitar each finding the puck on the doorstep and Warren Foegele putting two pucks on net from in tight.
The Kings withstood a mid-period barrage from Zucker, Tuch and the Sabres during the opening 20 minutes, which were otherwise unpunctuated as the two clubs headed to the first intermission scoreless.
More to come on this story.
Originally Published: