Advertisement

What we learned from the Kings’ 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save against Edmonton's Nail Yakupov on Sunday.

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save against Edmonton’s Nail Yakupov on Sunday.

(Jason Franson / Associated Press)
Share via

What was an ordinary contest through the first two periods turned fast and frantic and ultimately, controversial. A few more takeaways from the Kings’ fifth straight victory.

Future theme: Blinding with more science

There is never enough high-tech wizardry, is there?

Connor McDavid’s non-goal in the waning seconds of regulation was debated throughout the night. At least one photo produced an image appearing like it was a good goal, from that angle. The views examined by the NHL’s situation room, however, were inconclusive, which meant it could not overrule the non-goal call on the ice.

Advertisement

So when does Kings goalie Jonathan Quick get fitted with a glove-cam or a tracking chip?

Quick meeting new and old challenges

Quick often needs a few starts to get going at the beginning of a season, and this campaign has been no different.

He lost his first three starts, and since then, the Kings have won five straight with Quick in goal for four of those games. Jhonas Enroth started and won against San Jose on Thursday.

Advertisement

On Monday, Quick was named the league’s No. 3 star of the week, based on going 2-0-0 with a goals-against average of 1.00 and a save percentage of .971 in that stretch. He had his first shutout of the season and 38th of his career in Friday’s 3-0 win over Carolina.

The continued slide of Marian Gaborik

Gaborik can fade into the background, at times. This stretch has been more like a disappearing act with one goal in eight games. Kings Coach Darryl Sutter took him off the first line in Sunday’s game at Edmonton and put him with center Nick Shore and Trevor Lewis. Tanner Pearson took Gaborik’s spot on the top line and delivered the game-winning goal.

Advertisement

Gaborik was a minus-one against the Oilers with three shots on goal and played a season-low 12 minutes 50 seconds, including a mere 19 seconds on the power play, a quick cameo with Shore and Lewis at the end of a man advantage.

Advertisement