Kings vs Blues: Still Singing The Blues

For almost a month, the Kings have been searching for answers. With most of the pieces in place to be a winning team, they just can't seem to put the complete puzzle together.

Got any answers on that stick tape, Smytty?

Coach Murray has tried every line combination possible. Fans like me have changed their game routines. The artistic among us made their own shirts hoping to find the mojo.

Johnson and Clifford have never looked better!

After playing a series of games with solid first periods and first goals scored, the Kings figured maybe they should change that. The result was a terrible first period and a 1-0 deficit after 20 minutes. Hey, at least we didn't blow a lead, right?

The bad news kept coming in the second as the Kings coughed up 2 more goals.  Power play woes continued, with no goals scored on 2 chances. The one goal that was scored by workhorse Michal Handzus was a few seconds after the first power play ended, thanks in large part to some aggressive play by Alec Martinez and Jack Johnson back at the blue line. But on balance, it was a terrible period, marked by poor puck control, terrible passing, an inability to consistently clear the zone. 

Sorry Quickie...it's gonna be one of those nights.

After 40 minutes the score was 3-1, and the Blues kept it that way in the third.  As has been our habit since 2011 started, the Kings had no fight left in them in the last 20 minutes, so it was no surprise fans started leaving before the end of the period and the team skated off the ice to a chorus of boos from those who remained.

Tonight's poor effort is especially sad because a win would have been the best birthday present for Kings players Jack Johnson and Kyle Clifford, as well as Kings radio commentator and all-around awesome dude Daryl Evans.  

At least the fans cared enough to make some great signs.

As the Kings "must-win" homestand draws to a close this weekend, the questions surrounding the fate of this team are many and the answers are few.  But with only half the regular season left, there's no doubt this team is as down in the dumps as you can get right now.  Hopefully that means we've got nowhere to go but up.

GO KINGS GO!