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Kings drop another game, this time against Panthers

By Jamaal Artis

Feb 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Nick Shore (21) and left wing Dwight King (74), Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1), defenseman Alex Petrovic (6) and center Greg McKegg (41) battle for the puck in front of the net in the second period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Nick Shore (21) and left wing Dwight King (74), Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1), defenseman Alex Petrovic (6) and center Greg McKegg (41) battle for the puck in front of the net in the second period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. 67. 3. 97. Final

In their second game after the dreaded bye week, the Los Angeles Kings still look lost after losing to the Florida Panthers 3-2.  These are the same Panthers  they destroyed 6-3 ten days ago before the break.  Just like their last game the Kings were sloppy with the puck, had difficulty getting good scoring chances, and received shoddy goal tending.

It started badly for the Kings in the 1st period when they were on their heels on delayed penalty and gave up a goal by the Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau.  The Kings had two power play opportunities in the period but looked inept on both getting only one shot.

It didn’t start off well in the second period either as the Panthers scored just a minute into the period.  The Kings turned over in their end and the Panthers Jussi Jokinen took advantage putting the Panthers 2-0.

The Kings came roaring back out-shooting the Panther 15-5 in the period and tying up the game.  The Kings were able to get on the scoreboard when Dwight King dug out the puck from a scrum in front of the goal and scored.

Five minutes later Tanner Pearson bobbed and weaved through the Panthers defense to beat Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo putting the puck through his legs to tie the game at two all.

Feb 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (70), center Tyler Toffoli (73) and center Jeff Carter (77) celebrate after a goal in the second period of the game against the Florida Panthers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (70), center Tyler Toffoli (73) and center Jeff Carter (77) celebrate after a goal in the second period of the game against the Florida Panthers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The third period couldn’t have started any worse for the Kings, as Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov skated through three players and beat Kings goalie Peter Budaj with a backhanded goal just fifteen seconds into the period.

The Kings looked gassed the rest of the period and could only put up ten shots, that never really threatened Luongo.  With the 3-2 loss the Kings remained on the outside looking in for the playoffs as they stayed two points behind the Calgary Flames for the last wild card spot.

The most concerning part of the Kings game lately has been Budaj, in the last five games he’s given up 19 goals and has had trouble with making the easy stops.  With Kings sometimes struggling to score they can ill afford Budaj continuing to struggle.

Next: Nick Young Makes Most Of 3 Point Contest

The Kings won’t have time think about this game as they play their rivals the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim.  They better come to play or they’ll get further away from that playoff berth and some changes may be happen next.

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