October 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Warren Foegele (37) shoots the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagen Images The Montreal Canadiens will look to end their three-game homestand with a win when they face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
The Canadiens were unable to continue the aggressive play they showed in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. Two days later, Montreal fell victim to former Canadien Lars Eller, who scored twice to help lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 6–3 win.
“I don’t like to take credit away from the other team,” Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher said, according to the Montreal Gazette. “(The Penguins) came at us hard, they were aggressive and in front of us. We didn’t have a lot of time to play. Also, I thought we weren’t sharp. I just thought we were a little Sloppy.”
Montreal defenseman David Savard recorded a minus-3 rating in that game and Young fell to minus-5 on the season. He’ll hope for a better performance Thursday when he plays in the 800th NHL game of his career.
“I think at some points we have drifted apart,” Savard said, according to the Montreal Gazette. “At some other points, it feels like everyone is on the same page and playing really well. We just have to find a way, even during those moments when we feel connected.” “To perform better. We had times where it was more difficult to get out and regroup. We had to figure out a way to be more consistent.”
The Canadiens were consistent in one respect, as Juraj Slafkowski scored on a power play early in the second period Monday. Montreal has converted with the man advantage in all four of its games this season.
“We made more mistakes than them,” Slafkowski said. “I think it’s just … our own mistakes, like, too many weird guys running for them, and it’s tough because they have good players that can score.”
The Canadiens did not score a goal against the Kings last season, losing two 4–0 decisions.
Trevor Moore scored two goals in a match in Los Angeles on 25 November and scored again on 7 December. Phoenix Copley rejected all 18 shots he faced in the opening contest.
Copley relieved David Rittich after allowing four goals on 14 shots in the Kings’ 6-2 loss to the host Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Copley was called up from Ontario of the American Hockey League while fellow goaltender Darcy Kuemper was dealing with a lower body injury.
Kevin Fiala and Alex Turcotte scored for the Kings on Wednesday as Los Angeles went 1-1-2 during a season-opening seven-game road trip due to arena renovations. Fiala has scored three goals in the last two games, but the Kings have lost three consecutive games (0-1-2).
“This ‘East-West’ kind of thing isn’t working for us,” Kings forward Trevor Lewis said of the team’s recent open-ice approach. “We know what we have to do to be successful. We just have to buy into it and do it.”
The Kings played Wednesday without defenseman Joel Edmundson, who was away from the team as he awaits the birth of his first child with his wife.
–Field Level Media