Kings lose to Kraken, give up ground in Pacific race

LOS ANGELES --The Los Angeles Kings gave up ground in the Pacific Division with a 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

Cal Petersen made 32 saves for Los Angeles (36-23-9), which is two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for second in the division.
"It's hard to pinpoint just one thing," Kings captain Anze Kopitar said. "It was a lot of stuff that, obviously, didn't go right and we didn't do right. So this one definitely stings, especially the time and position we're in. It's a hard one to swallow, but at the same time, we're leaving for three very important games on the road, so we'll address this one, I'm sure, look at some stuff tomorrow and put it behind us and get ready for the next one."
Los Angeles will begin its three-game road trip against Edmonton on Wednesday.
"We have a tough task on hand," said Kings coach Todd McLellan, who became the 31st person in NHL history to coach 1,000 regular-season games. "It's not about my memories or what I liked or didn't like there. It's about fixing what we did wrong today and playing better there because we're going to have to."
Chris Driedger made 36 saves in his first start since March 10 for the Kraken (21-39-6), who lost 4-2 to Los Angeles on Saturday.
"You know, we just looked like a complete hockey team out there tonight," Driedger said. "It's great to see those guys come together. Tons of communication, tons of energy and seems like we were just sick of losing."

Alex Wennberg scored 14 seconds into the game to give Seattle a 1-0 lead, converting on a rebound with his backhand after Petersen denied Ryan Donato's wraparound attempt.
It was the fastest goal to start a game in Kraken history.
"We didn't let them set up in their structure as much tonight," Seattle center Yanni Gourde said. "Last game, I felt like they were in their structure and where they wanted us. We went north, went up ice, and it kind of helped us. Everybody was on the same page and we looked much faster."
Arthur Kaliyev tied it 1-1 at 5:23 on the power play. Adrian Kempe faked a slap shot in the high slot and got Driedger to commit before passing to Kaliyev, who shot into an open net from the left circle.
Adam Larsson put the Kraken back in front 2-1 at 8:24, scoring on a shot from along the right boards through traffic.
Victor Rask pushed it to 3-1 at 13:55 of the second period, receiving a pass from Gourde, stopping in the left circle and shooting through traffic. It was his first goal with Seattle since being acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on March 21.

Jordan Eberle scored on a breakaway to make it 4-1 at 7:05 of the third period, and Jared McCann scored 29 seconds later on a 2-on-1 with Morgan Geekie to extend the lead to 5-1.
"Well, we weren't good from minute one on," McLellan said. "We were chasing it, so there was doubt right away. But where was the dagger? Probably the blocked shot that went [the other way], Eberle's goal. Had a little bit of momentum."
Daniel Sprong scored for the third straight game at 12:13 for the 6-1 final. His shot from in front went through Petersen's left arm, hit Kings defenseman Jordan Spence in the face and deflected in.
"It's a bump in the road," Kopitar said. "There's, what, 15 games left, and we still like the position that we're in. So like I said, we'll address this one, look at some stuff, correct stuff, for sure, but get ready for the next one."
NOTES: Kraken forward Karson Kuhlman had the secondary assist on Rask's goal. It was Kuhlman's first point in nine games for Seattle since being claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins on Jan. 17. … Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn had two assists. He has eight assists in his past seven games. … Donato's assist was his 100th NHL point (48 goals, 52 assists in 238 NHL games). … McLellan is 520-368-112 in 14 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Oilers and Kings.