Can the Kings Turn the Tide? A Look at a Tough Loss and a Critical Homestand
The Los Angeles Kings are at a crossroads. After a gut-wrenching 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on New Year’s Day, a game they led with just minutes remaining, the team finds itself in a precarious position. With only two wins in their last ten games, the Kings are in desperate need of a spark to reignite their playoff hopes. The upcoming homestand, starting with a tough matchup against the high-flying Minnesota Wild, will be a critical test of their resilience and resolve.
A Heartbreaking Start to the New Year
The New Year’s Day clash against the Lightning was a bitter pill to swallow for the Kings and their fans at Crypto.com Arena. The team played a solid game for 55 minutes, twice taking the lead on the back of a revitalized power play that has suddenly found its groove after months of inconsistency. Veteran forward Corey Perry, in a vintage performance that reminded everyone why he’s been one of the most successful players in hockey history, notched three assists, setting up goals for Jeff Malott, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Kevin Fiala. It was Perry’s first three-assist game since November of 2019, a remarkable achievement for a player who continues to defy Father Time.
The power play, which had been a source of frustration for much of the season, has now scored in three consecutive games, a promising sign for a team that has struggled to find consistent offense throughout the campaign. The unit featuring Perry, Fiala, and Kuzmenko has been particularly dangerous, moving the puck with confidence and finding shooting lanes that had been elusive earlier in the season. Head Coach Jim Hiller praised the unit’s chemistry, noting that they’ve been “as dangerous as we’ve been all year.”
The game started with Tampa Bay drawing first blood on a power play goal just over three minutes in, with Brayden Point finishing a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing sequence. But the Kings answered immediately, with Malott scoring just 61 seconds later after Perry forced a turnover along the boards. The goal was Malott’s third of the season and came in his return to the lineup, providing an immediate impact that the coaching staff had been hoping for.
Los Angeles then took the lead on their own power play goal, with Kuzmenko sneaking a shot inside the near post after a well-executed sequence that saw multiple shot attempts and puck retrievals. The Kings carried a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, and the energy in the building was electric. The second period was less kind to the home team, as Point scored his second goal of the game late in the frame to tie things up at 2-2 heading into the final twenty minutes.
Early in the third period, the Kings restored their lead once again on another power play goal. Kevin Fiala, who has been one of the team’s most consistent offensive threats this season, buried his 14th goal of the campaign at the back post after Perry threaded a perfect pass through the slot. The Kings were up 3-2 with less than four minutes to play, and it looked like they would finally break their recent losing streak.
However, the final four minutes of the game were a disastrous collapse that will haunt the Kings for days to come. The Lightning, showcasing the killer instinct that has made them a perennial contender and propelled them to a six-game winning streak, scored three unanswered goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. First, Anthony Cirelli tied the game on a backhand rebound goal around the net. Then, Gage Goncalves put Tampa Bay ahead for the first time since early in the first period with his fourth goal of the season. Finally, Nikita Kucherov iced the game with an empty-net goal to bring the final score to 5-3.
“Tough last five minutes,” a dejected Perry said after the game. “They pushed, they found a way to tie it and they found that. Once they tied it, we really didn’t have a response. We’ve got to learn from it.” Defenseman Cody Ceci echoed those sentiments, adding, “You have to flush this one. It is what it is now. You move on and get ready for the next one, it’s going to be another tough one.”
Head Coach Jim Hiller was equally disappointed, lamenting the team’s inability to close out a game they should have won. “I can’t tell you how disappointing it is,” he said. “The players put in a great effort, so to come up empty… it’s difficult. It’s difficult.” When asked what he would have liked to see differently in those final five minutes, Hiller was measured but clearly frustrated. “There’s multiple players with chances to clean that up. Sometimes it doesn’t go in, nobody worries about it, right? It goes in, you’ve got to worry about it.”
The loss was a stark reminder that in the NHL, moral victories don’t count for much, especially for a team fighting for its playoff life. The Kings now sit at 16-14-9, good for 41 points, and are in a dogfight for a Western Conference playoff spot. With teams like the Wild, Avalanche, and Stars dominating the standings, every point is precious, and letting one slip away in such devastating fashion is a blow the Kings can ill afford.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Power Play and Kuemper’s Return
Despite the crushing loss, there were some positive takeaways for the Kings that they can build on moving forward. The power play, as mentioned, has come to life at a crucial time in the season. After struggling for much of the first half of the campaign, the unit has now scored in three consecutive games, providing a much-needed boost to an offense that has been inconsistent at best. The chemistry between Perry, Fiala, and Kuzmenko is palpable, and if they can continue to produce at this rate, it will take significant pressure off the five-on-five game.
Another positive development is the return of starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper, who had been sidelined since December 15th with an upper-body injury, made his return against the Lightning and, despite the loss, showed flashes of the form that earned him a Vezina nomination last season. He made 19 saves in the game and allowed four goals before the empty-netter, a respectable performance considering he was playing his first game in over two weeks. His presence will be a stabilizing force for a team that has been leaning heavily on its defense to keep games close.
Kuemper’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. The Kings have one of the NHL’s best defensive systems, and with Kuemper back in net, they have the goaltending to match. Over the last two seasons, Kuemper has posted a .920 save percentage, which is tied with Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the best clip in the NHL. His 2.07 goals-against average is the best mark of any netminder in the league in that span. These are elite numbers, and if Kuemper can return to that level of play, the Kings will be a much tougher team to beat.
Olympic Dreams and a Veteran Presence
On a brighter note, the Kings will be well-represented at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Veteran defenseman Drew Doughty and goaltender Darcy Kuemper were both named to Team Canada’s roster on December 31st, a testament to their individual excellence and their importance to the Kings organization. The announcement was a source of pride for the team and a reminder of the high-end talent on their roster.
Doughty, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who won in 2010 and 2014, will bring a wealth of experience to the Canadian squad. At the 2014 tournament in Sochi, Doughty led all defensemen with four goals and was tied for second among blueliners with six points. For his performance, he was the only Canadian player selected to the All-Tournament team, one of two defensemen included. When you combine his success at the Olympics with gold medals at the World Cup of Hockey, the 4 Nations Faceoff, and the World Junior Championships, as well as a silver at the World Championships, Doughty is one of the most accomplished players of his era on the international stage.
Team Canada General Manager Doug Armstrong praised Doughty’s selection, saying, “Drew is an unbelievable competitor. He was excited, he’s honored, he wants to put his best foot forward. He wants to win again. His passion, he wears it on his sleeve and that’s infectious for everybody.” At this stage of his Hall of Fame career, this could potentially be Doughty’s final opportunity to play in a best-on-best international tournament. He’ll certainly be inclined to make the most of it.
Kuemper’s selection was perhaps more surprising, as he was not selected to the team for the 4 Nations Faceoff last season and wasn’t invited to Hockey Canada’s summer orientation camp either. However, his play over the past two seasons has simply forced his way into the discussion, and he couldn’t be more deserving of the opportunity to represent his country. Armstrong acknowledged Kuemper’s impressive resume, stating, “Darcy has a great resume, he’s got the Kings in a good spot and he’s a Stanley Cup champion. We believe in those three goaltenders we have the proper components.”
The statistics back up Kuemper’s selection. Over the last two seasons, he has saved 37.8 goals above average, which ranks third best in the NHL behind only Hellebuyck and Vasilevskiy. His seven shutouts in that span are one shy of the league lead. Statistically speaking, Darcy Kuemper has been the best Canadian goaltender in the NHL over the last two seasons, and it isn’t even remotely close. In Milan, Kuemper will compete with Jordan Binnington of St. Louis and Logan Thompson of Washington for playing time in net.
The Road Ahead: A Crucial Homestand
The Kings now turn their attention to a crucial homestand, starting with a matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Wild are one of the hottest teams in the league, boasting a stellar 24-10-7 record and the third-best power ranking in the NHL according to ESPN. They’ve won two of their last four games and are currently 2-0-1 on their current road trip, making them a dangerous opponent for a Kings team desperate for a win.
This will be a massive test for the Kings, who will need to be at their absolute best to come away with a victory. The Wild have been excellent on the road this season with an 11-6-2 record away from home, and they feature a balanced attack with multiple scoring threats. The Kings will need to tighten up defensively, particularly in the final minutes of the game, and they’ll need Kuemper to be sharp in his second game back from injury.
Following the game against the Wild, the Kings will face a slate of tough opponents, making this homestand a make-or-break stretch for their season. To be successful, the Kings will need to build on the positives from the Lightning game, particularly their power play success, and get a strong performance from Kuemper in goal. They will also need to find a way to close out games, a problem that has plagued them all season and was on full display against Tampa Bay.
The keys for the Kings moving forward are clear. First, they need to continue their power play success. The unit has been clicking lately, and if they can maintain that momentum, it will open up the rest of their game. Second, they need better defensive zone coverage in the final minutes of games. Too often this season, the Kings have let leads slip away late, and it’s cost them valuable points in the standings. Third, they need consistent goaltending from Kuemper. When he’s on his game, he’s one of the best in the league, and the Kings need that version of him if they’re going to make a playoff push.
For fans looking for more in-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes content, be sure to check out our YouTube channel and our show, “LA Kings Weekly,” where we break down all the latest news and developments surrounding the team. We’ll have full coverage of the Wild game and analysis of what the Kings need to do to turn their season around.
The Kings have the talent and the experience to turn their season around, but the time for moral victories is over. The upcoming homestand will be a true test of their character and their ability to perform under pressure. With two Olympic-caliber players in Doughty and Kuemper, a revitalized power play, and a coaching staff that knows what it takes to win, the Kings have all the pieces in place. Now they just need to put it all together and start collecting the wins that will keep their playoff hopes alive.
The puck drops at 6:00 PM PT on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena for what promises to be an intense battle between two Western Conference contenders. It’s a game you won’t want to miss, and it could very well set the tone for the rest of the Kings’ season. The question is: Can the Kings turn the tide, or will their struggles continue? We’ll find out soon enough.
