Kings Eye Eighth Consecutive Win Over Struggling Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens vs Los Angeles Kings: Kings Eye Eighth Consecutive Win Over Struggling Canadiens
As the NHL action continues with a smaller Wednesday slate, the Montreal Canadiens (24-23-5) are set to face the Los Angeles Kings (27-17-6) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This cross-conference battle marks the second and final meeting of the regular season between these two teams, and the Kings will be aiming for their eighth consecutive win over the Canadiens. With Montreal in a slump and Los Angeles attempting to find its footing after a tough stretch, this matchup carries significant stakes for both teams.
Montreal Canadiens Struggling on the Road
The Canadiens are currently in a challenging stretch, having lost five consecutive games before their game in San Jose on Tuesday, which is not covered in this preview. Their recent form has been disappointing, as they were defeated 4-2 by the Detroit Red Wings and suffered three straight home losses to playoff contenders: a 4-3 overtime defeat to the New Jersey Devils, a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, and a 4-0 shutout by the Minnesota Wild. Montreal began a three-game road trip with a narrow 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks last Sunday, showcasing just how much they’ve struggled, especially on the offensive end.
The Canadiens’ offensive woes are glaring. They were limited to just 19 shots against the Minnesota Wild, a worrying figure for a team that has struggled to generate scoring chances. In the loss to Anaheim, Montreal only managed 23 shots and let a two-goal lead slip away. Their power play has been virtually non-existent, with only five opportunities in the last three games.
In net, Jakub Dobes will be between the pipes for this clash after Sam Montembeault started against the Sharks. Dobes, a 23-year-old rookie, has been solid in his seven starts, posting a 5-1-1 record with a 2.10 GAA and a .927 save percentage. However, his recent outing against Minnesota saw him allow three goals on 26 shots. As the Canadiens continue to struggle, Dobes will need to be at his best if they hope to compete against the Kings in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings Look to Regain Form
While the Kings have been inconsistent of late, winning only three of their last 11 games, they hope to build on a much-needed 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, snapping a four-game losing streak. The Kings were coming off back-to-back shutout losses to the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, where they failed to score a single goal in two games, so the win against Carolina was a welcome relief.
Kevin Fiala was a standout performer in that game, scoring two goals to lead Los Angeles to an impressive comeback from a 1-0 deficit. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper also played a crucial role, stopping 26 of 28 shots to earn the victory. With a 15-6-6 record, a 2.16 GAA, and a .921 save percentage this season, Kuemper has been reliable, though the Kings’ struggles in scoring have been a challenge. The Kings are averaging just 2.78 goals per game, ranking 23rd in the league, despite being solid defensively, allowing only 2.52 goals per game (tied for 4th in the NHL).
As the Kings look to continue their success against the Canadiens, they will need to improve their offensive output while relying on their strong defense and Kuemper’s steady play in net. If they can find consistency in their scoring, the Kings will have a good chance of extending their dominance over Montreal.
Conclusion
The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a tough stretch, and their offensive struggles make it difficult to see them breaking their losing streak against a solid team like the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings, though inconsistent, have a far superior defense and a proven goaltender in Darcy Kuemper. While they are still searching for offensive consistency, their defensive capabilities should be enough to limit Montreal’s opportunities.
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