The season for the Los Angeles Kings did not start optimally. The team of trainer Todd McLellan and assistant trainer Marco Sturm could not record a win after three games. Three narrow defeats with only one goal difference, two of them after extra time, were in the books for the LA team. In particular, the two opening defeats against the Minnesota Wild, both 3: 4 after overtime, certainly ensured a cracked self-confidence. The relief after the success on Thursday should have been all the greater when the Kings, despite a 2-0 deficit, were able to prevail against one of the title favorites, the Colorado Avalanche, and achieved their first win of the season with a 4-2.
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No leadership is safe
In games with the participation of the Kings, tension is guaranteed. Against the Wild, LA was in the lead 3-1 in both matches and gambled away this lead. Despite the points, it wasn’t anywhere near satisfactory for the Kings. “To give up the 3-1 lead felt like a defeat, even if we got points,” said Anze Kopitar returned after defeating Colorado. “Breaking the spell and taking the first win was important. Now we have to build on that and keep going.”
Especially from the middle of the second game against Colorado, the Kings had more access to the encounter and got better into the duels in the fore check. The reward was more time with the puck and thus in the attack zone. According to Kopitar, the reaction to the deficit shows that the team has a lot of character. “When you’re 2-0 down against a team like Colorado, taking them out for the rest of the game isn’t the easiest thing to do.”
Video: COL @ LAK: Rantanen uses margin for the first goal
The 0: 1 arrears are not the problem
In all four completed encounters, the Kings had to accept one goal before they found their game. The residues themselves are less of a problem from McLellan’s point of view. “We reacted to the game rather than having it under control from the start. We stumbled into it,” said the coach, annoyed at the initial difficulties in all matches. “We have to fix that. Of course it’s better to take the lead than to be behind, but we have to correct things that happened before we conceded.”
With the three defeats in mind, there was a risk that the team would give up after falling back 2-0. McLellan was pleased with the good response from his troop. “The season kicked off last Thursday and we had the opportunity to witness the devastating Minnesota comebacks,” said McLellan after Thursday’s success, daring to look in the rearview mirror. “With the close game the day before and the 2-0 deficit, you are worried on the bench that the players might not sacrifice themselves enough to bring the match to a proper end. We have to give them credit for that. It works About leadership and the inner strength that we have here because of the championship teams. That is distributed among the players. I can’t remember many encounters in which the team has given up since I’ve been here. “
Video: COL @ LAK: Kopitar and Kempe put Kings in front
Competitive and in need of improvement
With four counters from four games, the Kings balance sheet can be expanded. The success against Colorado also shows that Los Angeles can keep up with the best teams in the NHL, Kopitar saw it that way after the success. However, in order to be successful, the team has to work through its checklist. “Outnumbered and outnumbered must work. We mustn’t take unnecessary penalties and the fore-check must take effect,” said the captain, giving an insight into the many gears that have to play together. “The big picture has to be right for us to be competitive. The commitment is there, it is not lacking. We have to learn and improve in some areas. We have to learn to win ice hockey games.”
The view for the Kings is forward. “We are at the beginning of a season after a very long break,” replied McLellan a question about the current status. “We still have a lot to do. We are still a long way from our goal. We are still looking for that in certain situations right move. Physically we want to do the right thing, mentally we still have a lot to clean up. “
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Especially with the aggressiveness in the initial phase, the Kings can still improve. “We want to play aggressively,” said Kopitar, pointing out the route. The success of a dominant appearance was shown in the second match against Colorado. The self-confidence gained should be the fuel for the next games. “When things go well, you want to believe that you can take the momentum with you,” said Kopitar, adding, referring to the negative effects of losing, “If things don’t go so well, you want to forget about it quickly. We try that Take positives with you and get a run. ” That was what the Kings had done after their three defeats.
With the first victory after 316 unsuccessful days in LA a stone was taken from the heart of many. For McLellan a reason for relief and enjoyment. The next chance for a success against a favorite opponent is on Saturday at the St. Louis Blues (8 pm ET; NHL.tv; Sun. 2 am CET).
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