FINAL – Kings 1, Blackhawks 2 (OT) – Moore, Lizotte, McLellan

The LA Kings forced overtime in Chicago but came up on the wrong side of a 2-1 final score on the road against the Blackhawks.

Forward Blake Lizotte scored the lone Kings goal, while forward Arthur Kaliyev extended his point streak to three games with the primary assist on the play. Jonathan Quick made 17 saves on 19 shots in the overtime defeat.

After an extended stretch of scoreless hockey, Chicago finally broke through midway through the second period with the game’s first goal. Forward Jason Dickinson got a high-slot deflection on a shot from defenseman Caleb Jones that changed the direction of the puck into the net. Dickinson’s goal was his fourth of the season, with Jones tallying his sixth assist of the season in the process.

The Kings pushed back to tie the game at one heading into the second intermission. Kaliyev turned on the jets down the right wing to beat his man with speed, before he hit Lizotte charging the net for the game-tying goal. Lizotte’s tally was his third of the season, while Kaliyev extended his point streak to three games and defenseman Sean Walker collected his first point of the season with the secondary assist.

The Kings certainly had their opportunities down the stretch, throughout the third period, but could not convert as each team earned a point with the game heading to overtime.

After Trevor Moore was denied on a 2-on-1 at one end of the ice, Chicago won the game on the next shift, as Jonathan Toews buried a back-door pass to earn the hosts the extra point.

Hear from Trevor Moore, Blake Lizotte and Todd McLellan following tonight’s game.

Trevor Moore

Blake Lizotte
On his thoughts on a different style of game tonight
You know I think that’s actually more of our identity, Kings hockey. I thought we were pretty tight defensively, actually thought our team played a pretty good game overall. Just came up short in this one.

On tonight being more of a style the Kings want to see
Yeah, I think so. We’ve kind of started the year scoring quite a bit but also giving up a lot. I think our team is starting to turn around and play a little more defensive hockey, which I think most Kings fans are used to and Kings players are used to. I think that’s actually a good sign for us, when we’re in these 1-1 games versus 6-5 shootouts. I think it’s more our style and what our identity is and what we want to be.

On an improved, 200-foot effort from his line tonight
Yeah, for sure. As of late, my line specifically has been struggling on the defensive end of it. Our focus right now is just playing simple, smart hockey. When you can get pucks to go and it’s always nice.

On if he feels that consistency has built throughout this trip
I think so, in bits and pieces. Obviously everyone wants to play a full 60 but it doesn’t always happen. I think going forward we need to take little bits from each game and try and put it together for a full 60.

Todd McLellan
On his thoughts on the vibes in the room being that of a strong defensive effort
I would agree wholeheartedly. We talked about fixing some things after the Dallas game and we saw it today. They did a really good job of it, gave up very few out-numbered rushes. We were pretty solid defensively, good through the neutral zone, we did a lot of things well tonight. We didn’t get the win, sometimes bounces go against you and I think that’s what happened in overtime to Kevin in front of the net. At the other end, I didn’t think we had as much polish as we’ve shown offensively, some real good opportunities where we bobbled pucks with chances at breakaways, 2-on-1’s that missed the net or we didn’t make the right play. The one thing that’s been coming for us has been the offense and tonight it let us down a little bit.

On takeaways tonight of process versus outcome
The NHL is all about winning games and they all balance out at the end but I thought tonight we may have deserved a better fate but we didn’t get it. The process part was one that, we’re not happy with, but we’re pleased to see process. Now we’re going to get home and get some rest and start to practice, we haven’t practiced forever.

On if he feels the synergy between positional groups has improves on this trip
Well, that’s a that’s a tough question to answer because I think for two of the games it definitely did. Obviously the Dallas one, as I said in Dallas, you’ve got to give them credit, they really came out and played well. We did not respond and I thought as the night got tougher in Dallas, we got away from our structure more and more and that can’t happen. We got it back tonight, so it’s a good sign.

On if he feels tonight was a “step forward” for Kevin Fiala
I think it’s been a step forward every game, I don’t think he’s stepping back at all. He’s a very dynamic player and good players make other players around them better and I see that too. In Kevin’s, situation he creates, Carl Grundstrom should have a goal tonight off a tremendous pass from Kevin. He makes other players better, he keeps a lot of plays alive, very creative. He’s starting to figure out our system and our structure a little bit more. He’s a hell of a player.

On the growth of the Lizotte line this evening
Definitely. When they’re playing and they’re playing well, they’re very trusting line and they can play against anybody, at any given time, in any zone. We haven’t seen enough of that from that group and tonight, they did a much better job.

Notes –
– The Kings concluded a three-game road trip with a record of 1-1-1, moving to 4-3-1 away from home this season.
– With his primary assist on the lone Kings goal, forward Arthur Kaliyev extended his point streak to career-long three games.
– Blake Lizotte tallied his third goal of the season, with the game-tying goal in the second period
– Sean Walker collected his first point of the season with the secondary assist on Lizotte’s goal.

The Kings will not practice tomorrow at Toyota Sports Performance Center. The team will return to the ice on Saturday morning at 10:30 AM in advantce of their game against Florida that evening.