The Kings were playing well enough to stay close to the Columbus Blue Jackets but not well enough to win, a familiar pattern. Fans at Staples Center were quiet, probably numb after seeing so few goals and so many losses lately.
A few levels above the ice, TV play-by-play announcer Alex Faust maintained his energy and a comfortable conversation with analyst Jim Fox. Faust’s voice was vibrant and clear as he mentioned big-picture trends and small nuances. When Trevor Lewis cut the Kings’ deficit to one, Faust handled it smoothly. “The Kings have a life here in the third,” he said with cautious excitement, offering hope without being a cheerleader.