One of the league’s strongest defensive teams at five-on-five last season, the Kings started the 2024-25 campaign by limiting the Sabres and Bruins to just one goal apiece in regulation before Monday’s visit to Ottawa went squirrely on them defensively. They ran into major penalty trouble and allowed easy access to the middle of the ice throughout the final 40 minutes. Darcy Kuemper, out with a lower-body injury tonight, experienced a nightmare outing in the crease as LA conceded eight in an OT loss to the Senators.
The response to such a circus game—especially from a team with a strong defensive reputation like the Kings—is often a recommitment to discipline and defensive details.