Kings Show Their Meek Side in Loss

Defenseman Sean O’Donnell heard left wing Brian Savage celebrating--quite loudly, in fact--after he had scored against the Kings early in the second period. So, he silenced Savage by cross-checking him.

“It was more of a reaction--I was a little bit pumped up tonight--I just happened to be skating by him and heard him screaming,” O’Donnell said. “I got a little upset. I don’t want to take the two minutes. But I’d do the same thing again.”

Hitting was a rare sight Wednesday from the Kings, before or after goals. It seemed as though they were constantly chasing the Canadiens in circles in a 6-3 loss to Montreal before 20,218 at Molson Centre. They’ll probably have dreams about outnumbered attacks from the potent line of Savage and right wing Mark Recchi, centered by Saku Koivu, as the three players accounted for four of Montreal’s six goals.

The Kings have given up 13 goals in their last two games, and already exasperate Coach Larry Robinson after three games. And Robinson thought the outcome could have been 10-1 without several outstanding saves by goaltender Stephane Fiset. The Kings’ promising defensive effort in a 1-0 shutout against the Islanders in the season opener has evaporated for the moment. Welcome back to facing 40 or more shots on goal.

Robinson wished others had showed some of O’Donnell’s emotion.

“I’d rather see that than not do anything,” he said. “For a change, at least we got upset. There’s not enough of that at the right time. We always arrive late. Like arriving when the war is over instead of being there to lead the charge.

“And each guy is waiting for the next guy to do something.”

He guessed that Montreal center Pierre Turgeon would be heading home with a big smile, having gone unscathed against the Kings. “Three or four of our guys looked like they had cement boots on,” Robinson said. “It looked like we were waiting for someone to go out there and play for us.”

The game turned in a sloppy chaotic stretch of 5:04 in the third period. Through the first 40 minutes, the teams managed only three goals as Montreal led, 2-1, after two periods. But in the first 5:04 of the third, five goals were scored, three by Montreal and two by the Kings.

Recchi added an empty-netter with 28 seconds remaining, and it capped a four-point night for him with two goals and two assists. Savage, who had a hat trick against the Mighty Ducks on Monday, had a goal and two assists. The slick play-making Koivu was everywhere, effectively killing penalties, and adding a goal and two assists for the Canadiens.

Scoring for the Kings were Dimitri Khristich (second of the season), Paul DiPietro (first) and Yanic Perreault (third). Ray Ferraro had two assists. Defenseman Rob Blake had one assist, and is the only King to have points in all three games this season.

Of more concern is King defenseman Mattias Norstrom. Norstrom, the key in last season’s multi-player deal with the New York Rangers, hasn’t quite been himself lately.

“I’m very disappointed in Matty Norstrom right now,” Robinson said. “I don’t know what it is. He’s really struggling. Falling all over. And you’re talking about one of the better skaters in the league. His problem is a mental problem more than anything. He’s just got to find his game. Right now he hasn’t found it. He’s rushing everything.”

Perhaps the reason is that Norstrom is suffering from a sore right hip; he had an MRI exam last week.

“They have to look at it again,” Norstrom said. “They think I might have some arthritis in there. It’ll come and go. It’ll be sore from time to time. No excuses with the hip, the way I play. As soon as I get warm and get going, it doesn’t bother me.”