LA Kings lose tough overtime game to division foe Dallas as playoffs approach (3/11)
The LA Kings played the Dallas Stars at the Staples Center in a big game heading down the stretch on March 7th. In a back and forth open but kind of sloppy played game, the Kings came up on the short end when Brenden Morrow scored the game winner in overtime. The Kings squandered a one-goal lead three times with the last one coming on a short hand goal by speedy rookie Jamie Benn after Drew Doughty slipped and fell. Coach Terry Murray went with his gut and started Jonathan Bernier instead of #1 goalie Jonathan Quick. His feeling was that Bernier has played better than Quick vs. Dallas. In my opinion, you go with your #1 goalie as you head down the stretch unless he is injured or needs a break from a back-to-back game.
The star player of the game was Dallas center Mike Ribeiro who was dominant controlling the puck, producing a goal and two assists including the one to Morrow in overtime. How he didn’t get one of the 3 star selections was mind-boggling and whoever voted must have been watching a different game. He was by far the best player out there tonight while Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams were the two best for the Kings. Williams’s goal was his 400th career NHL point.
The Stars, however, looked much faster as they had many good scoring opportunities and played more inspired on this night. Late in the first period, the Kings led 1-0 and were playing well when Dallas’ Steve Ott made the unwise decision to spear Clifford during a post-whistle scrum. Ott got a five-minute major and a game-misconduct, meaning that after Clifford’s minor roughing penalty expired, the Kings would be on the power play for three minutes. A power-play goal, and a two-goal lead, might have taken the wind out of the Stars’ sails. Instead, the Kings could not manage a shot on goal in their three-minute power play. Clifford scored a great goal on a pass from Trevor Lewis to put the Kings in front for the last time early in the 3rd period. The Kings are hanging on to the last playoff spot but fighting many other teams and within a point or two of jumping up quite a few spots. All the remaining games will be against Western Conference teams so they control their own fate.
Next up are the tough Detroit Red Wings as the Kings head out on the road. More info, schedule and tickets at www.kings.nhl.com