Kings' Jake Muzzin: Productive in preseason loss

Muzzin buried a wrist shot for the Kings' first goal in Saturday's 4-3 overtime home loss to the Canucks, an exhibition opener.

Analysis:

The burly rearguard was quite active in this one, as he led his crowned allies in ice time (25:35) and shots on goal (six), as well as collecting four hits and a pair of blocked shots. Muzzin is a perennial power-play contributor, but he posted a career-worst minus-21 rating last season as the Kings struggled to a fifth-place finish in the Pacific Division. One preseason contest isn't enough to signal that a bounce-back season is in store for Muzzin, but it's nonetheless encouraging to see him storm out of the gate.