The Canucks fell 3-2 to the Kings on Monday night.
Despite a late third-period push, the Vancouver Canucks (45-19-8) fell 3-2 to L.A. Kings (38-22-11) on Monday night. With the loss, Vancouver missed their first opportunity to clinch a playoff spot as the St. Louis Blues fell in overtime to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the evening. The defeat also halted the Canucks three-game win streak, dropping their record to 4-2-1 through seven games of this nine-game homestand.
Ultimately, this was a frustrating game for Vancouver. While they generated high-danger chances, the Kings did a fantastic job of shutting down the game and taking advantage of their opportunities. A game that the Canucks arguably deserved to win; they got unlucky with the goals they allowed and will hopefully use this game as a learning lesson moving forward.
Quotes
Sam Lafferty on the Canucks physicality against the Kings:
They're a great team. We know what to expect, and it's gonna be pretty much every game. I know it's gonna be like that. So I think we're gearing up returning right direction so, just feels right."
Rick Tocchet on the Canucks loss to the Kings:
"It's a coin flip type of game. They hit heads and won. They got a couple around the paint. I think that's really what it comes down to.
Rick Tocchet on switching up his lines throughout the game:
"Just some different looks. We're gonna have some different teams we're going to be playing, so we felt that matchup-wise, this was the best way to go."
Rick Tocchet on using Zadorov as a net-front presence late in the game:
"We needed somebody to win a battle in front. I just felt he'd be the big guy. I was just hoping somebody was at the side of the net. There was a couple of teachable moments. I think we'll learn from it. You know, he was in front; I think one of us should have been off to the side. Z (Zadorov), I think he was battling, and we kind of had that backdoor play. But yeah, I think Z being there could be something in the future."
Facts and Stats
- Quinn Hughes moves into third place all-time on the franchise points by a defenceman list
- Canucks record 45+ hits for the second time this season
- Vancouver holds their opponent to under 20 shots for the seventh time this season
- Sam Lafferty snaps a 12-game goalless drought
Scoring Summary
1st Period
LAK: 07:01- Kevin Fiala (24th) from Pierre-Luc Dubois and Viktor Arvidsson
VAN: 12:50- Sam Lafferty (12th) from Ian Cole
2nd Period
LAK: 16:27- Blake Lizotte (6th) from Jordan Spence and Anže Kopitar
LAK: 18:19- Anže Kopitar (24th) from Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield
3rd Period
VAN: 17:07- Brock Boeser (37th) from Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller
Canucks Next Opponent
The Canucks will get a few days off before facing the Dallas Stars on Thursday. The third of three meetings this season, each team has won while being the home team this year. Game time is set for 7:00 pm PT from Rogers Arena.
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