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Canadiens Embarrassed In Los Angeles By Stronger Kings Team

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5 months ago

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Montreal Canadiens Los Angeles Kings

The Montreal Canadiens were in California on Saturday to wrap up their West Coast trip. They were facing the Los Angeles Kings, who are slowly yet surely becoming a dominant force in the NHL.

The Habs were aiming to make it three wins in a row during their trip, which would be the first time they accomplished a California sweep in roughly 84 years.

For those wondering, there was no word if the California government paid the Canadiens for their visit to Los Angeles.

MUST READ: Quebec Government To Pay $7M To Kings For Two Preseason Games

Jake Allen was given the start for the Habs, marking the 16th game in a row the Canadiens started a game with a different starter than their previous outing.

Both teams played yesterday, but it was the Kings who controlled the game early on. The disparity in talent between both lineups was quite evident, resulting in an incredibly easy 4-0 win for Los Angeles.

Juraj Slafkovsky was one of the better players on Saturday, but let’s just say that’s like saying a kick in the crotch is better than a lead pipe to the back of the head.

If you’re looking for more Canadiens content after you’re done reading the recap, don’t forget to join Marco D’Amico and myself for Game Over, a Habs podcast that goes live following every game. Here’s the link to join the discussion.

Rush Defence

Jake Allen had a strong start, especially when we consider the shots were 8-1 for the Kings at one point in the first period, but he was fooled by a Carl Grundstrom shot which led to a 1-0 Kings lead. It’s also worth noting the lone shot by the Habs probably had an expected goals-for rating of 0.01 xGF.

Allen wasn’t set, and I’m not trying to say he wasn’t at fault, but the play was yet another example of the Habs offering up zone entries at a discount.

The Canadiens struggle to defend the rush, to the point that they allow the most rush chances in the NHL. Statistically speaking, rush chances significantly improve your odds of scoring on a play, which makes sense when we evaluate how many goals the Canadiens allow per game.

On this particular play, it was Kaiden Guhle and Gustav Lindstrom who forfeited the zone with little to no pushback, but it’s an issue throughout the lineup.

No Event Hockey

This was a very low-event game. And by low event, I mean I’m not sure I’d accept a $7 million subsidy from the government to watch it again, because it was that bad, but there was some semblance of a good play midway through the second period for the Habs.

Juraj Slafkovsky keeps playing well alongside Cole Caufield, and that includes his pass that led to a nice change, and a nice deke from his goal-scoring linemate.

However, the play ended with Slafkovsky hitting Caufield, which epitomizes the Canadiens’ overall performance in Los Angeles during the first two periods of the game.

Crossed Wires

The second Kings goal wasn’t particularly nice, but it could have been prevented.

Not only did Allen have a very hard time tracking the puck, and thus was out of position, but Mike Matheson’s attempt to shut down the play actually deflected the puck into the net. It also prevented Allen from staying tight to the post.

I know Allen is not the most popular guy in Montreal despite having a very similar save percentage (.907) to Montembeault (.908) heading into this game, but as per usual, it was a comedy of errors that led to the goals against, and it was not entirely due to goaltending.

Besides, when your team struggles to generate shots, let alone goals, the goaltender is rarely the cause of your demise.

Oh No, Kovo

Those who are familiar with my work will remember I have long supported the idea that Johnathan Kovacevic is a valuable member of the Montreal Canadiens defensive group. His play last year was excellent, and he started the 2023-24 season on the right foot.

But recently, he’s having a very hard time out there, as evidenced by his declining numbers and his mistakes, which are becoming a lot more common.

Allen could have helped his defenceman out by making a save, as well.

Not Montreal’s Night

Remember what we discussed earlier, about rush defence? Well, the game against Los Angeles was ample evidence that the Canadiens need to do a much better job shutting down the rush.

Unlike their freeways, Los Angeles was free to move around with the greatest ease whenever the Habs attempted to defend.

To put a fine point on the complete lack of rush defence, not to mention some questionable passing by Christian Dvorak (and a bad goal against by Allen), take a look at the Kings’ fourth goal of the game. Dvorak’s pass to Fiala isn’t included, but rest assured he made a perfect breakout play for the Kings.

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Wednesday. They will face the Blue Jackets in Columbus. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted. Via NaturalStatTrick.

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