Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 16th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Los Angeles Kings are focused on improving their defensive strategy as they prepare to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
On Monday afternoon, the Kings suffered a disappointing 8-7 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, despite initially holding a 4-2 lead. According to Kings coach Jim Hiller, the team failed to execute their checking game, resulting in a chaotic and ultimately unsuccessful match.
Both Alex Laferriere and Kevin Fiala scored twice for the Kings, while Brandt Clarke and Anze Kopitar each contributed three assists.
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Hiller expressed his frustration with the team's lack of control over the game, stating that they were not able to maintain their desired style of play for more than a few shifts.
Right winger Adrian Kempe, who scored a goal and an assist, also expressed disappointment in the team's performance, calling it "unacceptable" and citing poor defense and carelessness as contributing factors.
The Kings currently hold a record of 1-0-2 in the first three games of their seven-game road trip.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have won their last two games after a 1-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener on October 9th.
Star player Auston Matthews, who led the NHL with 69 goals last season, has yet to make an impact for the Maple Leafs this season. However, he remains confident that his performance will improve as the team continues to play well and create opportunities for him.
Head coach Craig Berube praised Matthews for his effort and competitiveness on the ice, even if he hasn't been scoring as much as expected.
The Maple Leafs' power play has struggled in their first three games, going 0-for-9. Berube has made some adjustments in practice to try and improve their performance.
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There is a possibility that defenseman Timothy Liljegren will make his season debut on Wednesday after being a healthy scratch for the first three games. Liljegren has been working hard in practice and is determined to play a simpler and more intense game.
In other news, John Tavares returned to practice on Tuesday after being out with an illness, while William Nylander was absent due to illness. Nylander had two goals in the Maple Leafs' last game.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews and William Nylander scored goals 30 seconds apart in the third period and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings 3-1 Tuesday night.
Matthews jammed in his 12th goal of the season from the edge of the crease at 12:36 of the third period to snap a tie. Nylander and Andreas Johnsson earned the assists.
Nylander took advantage of a Kings turnover, worked a give-and-go with Matthews and scored his fourth goal of the season on the backhand at 13:06.
Alex Kerfoot also scored for the Maple Leafs and goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped 24 shots.
It was the second win in a row for the Maple Leafs. The Kings have lost five of their past six.
Alex Iafallo scored for the Kings while goaltender Jonathan Quick making 20 saves.
There were no goals in the first period. Toronto came closest during a power play late in the first when John Tavares shot the puck over the open net. Tavares returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing seven games with a broken finger.
Kerfoot took a solid hit from Jeff Carter early in the first period and did not play for the rest of the period but returned for the start of the second.
Kerfoot was in the penalty box for interference when Iafallo scored his third goal this season from the side of the net at 5:40 of the second period, switching deftly from his backhand to the forehand. Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown earned assists.
The Maple Leafs tied the game 1-1 on Kerfoot's his fifth goal at 13:29 of the second. He stole a loose puck, had a clear lane to the goal after two Kings had collided and put his shot from the slot under the crossbar.
Quick stopped Nic Petan, who broke in alone while killing a penalty late in the second period.
Petan was recalled for the game after he registered five points in two games for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.
Quick made a superb stop on Matthews early in the third period with Toronto on the power play.