The Key Three: Feb. 21

If someone had said, 24 hours ago, that the Kings would blow a three-goal first-period lead and lose a game, an understandable reaction would have been, “The Kings scored three goals?’’ Well yes, four in fact, but they still lost. Jonathan Quick wasn’t sharp, the Kings took undisciplined penalties and their penalty kill — a team strength for years — suffered a shocking collapse against a Phoenix team that entered the game with the worst power-play percentage in the NHL. It was the first time in the regular season, since Oct. 5, 2005, that the Kings led by three goals and lost a game, as Dallas rallied for a 5-4 win. That was the 2005-06 season opener, and the Kings actually led 4-0 after the first period and lost in regulation. Even more remarkable, Jeremy Roenick scored two of his whopping nine goals as a King. The Kings got one point last night, and actually moved into eighth place in the Western Conference, but the game was a massive missed opportunity. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes? I present three options at the link below, and you can vote for your choice as well…

The Key Three: Feb. 21

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For those who enjoy the traditional game recap, it can be found by clicking here.