Sometimes there’s simply no rhyme or reason in the world of professional sports.
The Los Angeles Kings have been on the road since the 12th of never. Or so it must seem to the beleaguered players who have been living out of a suitcase. Their odyssey began with a weeklong training camp in Quebec City along with a pair of exhibition games, thanks to the Coalition Avenir Québec.
The Kings are now five games into a seven-game road trip to begin the regular season while their home arena is undergoing renovations.
Following Thursday night’s 4-1 victory against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre, the players and coaches can at least go home, temporarily, to sleep in their own beds and get some fresh underwear before continuing the excursion Sunday, in Anaheim — a short bus ride away.
Where are we going with this? The Kings were outscored, 8-7, by Ottawa on Thanksgiving afternoon and then dropped a 6-2 decision Wednesday night in Toronto. Nonetheless, despite playing their second game in as many nights, the visitors gave the Canadiens more than they could handle.
And that, we’re afraid to say, speaks volumes. We dare suggest the Canadiens could have used a spark on this night — the kind of adrenalin rush normally provided by Michael Pezzetta, who has remained a healthy scratch through five games.
A night of milestones: It has been well documented Canadiens defenceman David Savard played his 800th career game against the Kings. But it was also the 100th regular-season game for Montreal defenceman Arber Xhekaj. Not only was Xhekaj signed as an undrafted free agent, he went directly from the OHL to the NHL.
News you need (Part I): Kings centre Alex Turcotte is the son of former Canadiens 1983 first-round (17th overall) draft pick Alfie Turcotte, whose stint with Montreal was less than memorable. In 85 games, he scored 15 goals and 38 points. He also spent time with Winnipeg and Washington, but was limited to 112 NHL games, producing 17 goals and 46 points. Turcotte was more effective in the AHL, where he played 395 games, scoring 178 goals and 452 points. His son was selected fifth overall by Los Angeles in 2019.
What a difference a night makes: Kings goalie David Rittich allowed four Toronto goals on only 14 shots in 32:22 and was replaced by Pheonix Copley. That works out to an ugly .714 save percentage. But Rittich was much better against the offensively-challenged Canadiens.
How not to take a penalty shot: At 7:10 of the third period, the Kings’ Kevin Fiala was awarded one after being hooked by Lane Hutson. But Fiala failed to generate enough speed on his attempt, and his forehand attempt went wide.
How to screw-up a two-on-one break: Not long after that, Christian Dvorak broke in with Emil Heineman. But the former lost the puck without getting a shot. It was painful to watch.
News you need (Part II): The Canadiens, who should have been desperate in the third period, had two shots through 13 minutes.
Shift of the night: Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron opened the scoring seven minutes into the game, eluding Quinton Byfield before skating behind the net and tucking the puck into the short side for his first goal this season. Barron, whose offensive skills never have been debated, looked like a former first-round draft choice.
Dumb penalty (Part I): Andreas Englund’s hit to the head of Alex Newhook, in front of the Kings’ bench, in the opening period.
Faceoff of the night: Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar beat Dvorak to the draw, eventually leading to the visitors’ opening goal by defenceman Mikey Anderson late in the same period.
Dumb penalty (Part II): Kirby Dach hooked former Canadien Phillip Danault in the second period — 14 seconds into a Montreal power play.
You asked for it, you got it: Hutson on the Canadiens’ first power-play unit. All it took was an upper-body injury to Mike Matheson, who didn’t return for the second period.
Unconventional, but it worked: Hutson upended Adrian Kempe with a hip check in the eighth minute of the middle period.
Dumb penalty (Part III): Fiala interfering with Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault near the end of the second period.
Next time, decline the penalty: The Canadiens went 0-for-5 on the power play. They’ve scored four times with the man advantage this season off 22 opportunities.
News you need: (Part III): Kempe’s goal that completed the scoring marked the first time this season the Canadiens allowed a short-handed tally. Mind you, it was scored into an empty net.
News you need (Part IV): Through five games, the Canadiens have scored twice in the second period.
News you need (Part V): Barron’s goal was the first by Montreal against Los Angeles since March 2, 2023.
Quick stats: Both Newhook and Dach were minus-3. Hutson played a mind-boggling 30:05, but was also minus-2. Fiala led all players, with six shots.
They said it: “I’m definitely disappointed,” captain Nick Suzuki said. “It was an immature effort from us, especially with them playing yesterday and getting in late. I think we gave them too much life and let them feel comfortable. It’s on us to be a lot better than that. Mistakes that, if we want to be a good team in this league, we have to clean up. We know that and need to be better.”
“Mike is the biggest part of our defensive corps,” Savard said of losing Matheson. “Losing him, he’s playing against the top line and on the power play. We want him on the ice. Definitely losing him was a big loss. We have to figure out a way to get the two points, even if a player goes out. All the guys have to step up and do the job.”