The newest installment was a 5-1 shellacking by the Toronto Maple Leafs that once again drew into question the team’s defense, offense, urgency and all the other things that have defined a season that is quickly circling the drain.
The defense took a step back. In a game that placed an emphasis on defense because of a fast-skating Toronto team and L.A.’s decimated goalie depth chart, the Kings gave the Maple Leafs six power plays and flat-out lost puck battles at even strength.
Only so much could be asked of Peter Budaj, beaten twice on the power play, and Cal Petersen, thrown into his first NHL game against a team that averaged 3.