What we learned from the Kings’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Ducks

This was at the other end of the spectrum from Monday’s often-boring contest against Arizona. A few takeaways from a game on Wednesday night at Honda Center, one certainly with the playoff vibe going from the start.

Overtime seems to be the cruelest word for the Kings

The dagger came swiftly for the Kings when Ducks forward Ryan Kesler scored 45 seconds into overtime. One of the lingering images of 2014-15: the Kings skating glumly to the bench after an overtime or shootout loss.

In 17 games, the Kings are 3-14 in overtime/shootouts. They’ve won twice in nine shootouts.

Mr. Game 7, also known as Justin Williams, got straight to the point. Williams had the game-tying goal with 4:14 remaining in regulation.

“Our overtime/shootout record is terrible,” he said. “Either way, that’s not going to deter us from making the playoffs. We got a point. We’ll keep pushing forward and try to improve in areas like four-on-four, and get two points next time.”

Failure to communicate

Yes, small things turned into larger issues, in particular on the winning goal, in which Kesler had ample time to do his thing in overtime, taking advantage of a collision between Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and Kings forward Marian Gaborik with Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm in the fray.

“There’s little momentum swings here and there. They’ve been a top team in the league now...it comes down to little plays and little tiny things that make a difference,” Kings captain Dustin Brown said.

“You look at their first goal - it was a communication goal. We just lost our communication, an extra man coming out of the box and we didn’t sort it out quick enough.

“Then the same thing on probably the winning goal. It was a pick and we probably didn’t read off it well enough, or talk enough. Those are the little things that make the difference.”

Doughty preferred to look at the positive of taking one point, rather than the failure to come away with two.

“I don’t find it as a deflating thing,” he said. “Yeah, we should have won the game because we had a one-goal lead going into the third. We were unable to do that. I guess it’s the bright side to get one point.”

Kings relying heavily on Doughty. Again.

If things went according to plan, the Kings would not have to rely so much on Doughty. But when it comes down to serious times, Kings Coach Darryl Sutter is going to go back to Doughty again and again, especially in crucial situations.

Which meant Doughty, who was a minus-two against the Ducks and had an assist, logged nearly 30 minutes of ice time Wednesday.

Second among the Kings, in terms of ice time, was Doughty’s partner, Robyn Regehr, who played 23 minutes and 43 seconds. Defenseman Andrej Sekera was just under 20 minutes.

It was the most ice time Doughty has recorded since he played 31:13 against Montreal on March 5.