Post Man Rings Twice for Kings in 2-0 Setback

MONTREAL — The Kings’ streak of 68 consecutive games without being shut out came to an end Wednesday night in a 2-0 loss to Montreal, thanks to the play of Canadien goaltender Jocelyn Thibault and an unfriendly post.

Thibault was impressive with 36 saves in gaining his seventh career shutout, but he was bailed out twice in the first period when two King shots bounced off the left post.

Vincent Damphousse and Mark Recchi scored goals for the Canadiens, who ended a three-game losing streak before 19,722 at Molson Center. The Kings, who were shut out seven times last season, had scored in every game since losing, 5-0, to Florida Jan. 4 at the Forum.

“We started out well in the first period when we hit a couple of posts,” King right wing Sandy Moger said. “We figured if we keep getting chances, we’re going to win. But we had no luck.”

The Kings, who outshot the Canadiens, 36-34, had their chances but couldn’t beat Thibault, who recorded his second shutout of the season.

The defeat also spoiled somewhat of a homecoming for several Kings who either grew up in the Montreal area or had played for the Canadiens. One such player was goaltender Frederic Chabot, who was given a surprise start by King Coach Larry Robinson.

“I had an idea that I would start Freddie . . . he’s from here and I thought that it would be an incentive for him to try and beat his old team,” Robinson said. “I’m sure that the two goals he would like to have back, but I’m not putting any blame on Freddie. I thought he made some outstanding saves.”

Starting against the Canadiens in Montreal was special for Chabot because not only did he grow up in nearby Herbertville-Station, in Quebec, he spent five seasons with the Montreal organization, spending most of the time in the minors.

In five games with the Canadiens, Chabot had a lackluster 0-1-1 record. But since then, Chabot’s play had improved dramatically by virtue of three seasons in the International Hockey League, including last season when he was named league MVP with the Houston Aeros.

“I think I was solid,” said Chabot, who finished with 32 saves and dropped to 1-2-2. “It’s over. I gave my team a chance to win tonight but it didn’t bounce our way.”

Montreal attacked vigorously early but Chabot was there to keep the Canadiens scoreless. The Kings, who did not register their first shot on goal until Russ Courtnall’s short-handed attempt six minutes into the game, gained momentum behind the line of Jozef Stumpel, Luc Robitaille and Moger.

Robitaille had a great chance to score the game’s first goal, but his shot from the slot hit the post at the 7:40 mark. The Kings’ constant pressure led to two other solid scoring chances in the period, but Craig Johnson’s shot from the crease bounced off Thibault’s stick and Stumpel’s blast from near the slot also bounced off the post.

“If we had scored the first goal, it would have been a different game, probably,” said King center Yanic Perreault, who is also from the Montreal area. “We know that we can play better. . . . It’s tough to come back here and not win because a lot of players had friends and family here tonight.”

The Canadiens, who have the best power play in the NHL, took a 1-0 lead with 40.7 seconds remaining in the second period when Damphousse slipped the puck past Chabot from outside the right post. Montreal had a five-on-three advantage for 1:28, and one second after the first King penalty ended, Damphousse scored his fourth goal of the season.

Robitaille was given a game-misconduct penalty for spearing in the final minute and could be forced to sit out tonight’s game at Ottawa.