Sutter liked the data from Game 3

Los Angeles held a 60-48 advantage in shots attempts in Thursday’s 3-2 Game 3 loss to Anaheim.

“Well, we’d like to score another goal, but we thought from all the data that we receive and look at that it was probably our best game of the series,” Darryl Sutter said on Friday.

“Puck possession, faceoffs, hits that somebody ticks off. Things like that,” Sutter listed as part of the “wealth of knowledge” that the coaching staff uses as an indication of how the team plays.

“They were dominant stats for us last night,” he said, before continuing with an iota or two of his acerbic wit. “I don’t know how we didn’t win.”

Sutter has acknowledged that the team uses advanced stats, saying in Pittsburgh on March 27 that “I think every team does now. For sure.” He highlighted the team’s puck possession efforts while in Edmonton on March 9, saying, “the game’s changed. They think there’s defending in today’s game. Nah, it’s how much you have the puck.”

Judging by the team’s even strength Fenwick shot attempt chart – a measure of shots on goal and missed shots, but not blocked shots – the Kings’ possession rate was quite good.

Courtesy of ExtraSkater.com:

Though as for the scoring chances, the Ducks held the advantage throughout most of the game.

Courtesy of nickc79, Jewels from the Crown writer:

Final scoring chances for Kings/Ducks pic.twitter.com/xMsGdC4Tzl

— Nick (@dightkwing) May 9, 2014

 

Interestingly, Sutter really liked the opening 20 minutes, never mind the rush attempts Anaheim was able to generate and the six Los Angeles giveaways, as noted in the game’s play-by-play log.

“We had a really good first period, too. I mean, it was clearly the best start we had in the series, for sure,” he said.