Sutter concludes Kings can't win without goals or saves
Hockey's a pretty simple game, really.
Following Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Anaheim, Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter pointed out as much, offering a pretty clear conclusion as to why his team lost.
"Not a recipe for success tonight when you don’t score and don’t get any saves," Sutter said, per Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider.
The Kings were shut out for the third straight game, their first such scoring drought since 1968-69, their second season in the NHL. They now sit last in the NHL with a goal differential of minus-10, having scored 20 goals and allowing 30 through 10 games.
Compounding the lack of scoring is the fact Jonathan Quick remains out long term with a groin injury, and Sutter was especially critical of Peter Budaj, who was pulled in favor of Jack Campbell after allowing four goals on 16 shots.
"(Budaj) wasn’t very good. I mean, did you look at the shots and scoring chances? He wasn’t very good. That’s clear. I don’t pull goalies very often, but they’re expected to make some saves."
Sutter maintains his goal is to help the Kings stay in the playoff race despite Quick's injury, and said the first step towards turning things around is obvious.
"Score a goal."
The next chance to do just that comes Thursday against Pittsburgh.