SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a valiant comeback effort and some improvements in the offensive zone, the Utah Hockey Club lost their third-straight game to the LA Kings. While there were some positives, including the return of Nick Bjugstad, Utah still came up short and extended their losing streak.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 3-2 loss in LA.
Through the first part of the season, goals against have been a massive issue for the Utah Hockey Club.
In nine games, they’ve allowed 32 goals against (3.5 GA per game) on 269 shots (.881 SV%). That’s simply not going to cut it.
Now, it’s not entirely on the goaltenders. Utah is without two of their best defensemen (Sean Durzi and John Marino) which has forced them to rely on some depth and there’s been some obvious breakdowns. Between penalties and missed assignments, the defense hasn’t exactly helped out their netminders to the best of their ability.
Dad strength knows no bounds pic.twitter.com/m1HQJHSPDj
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 26, 2024
Here, the shooter is allowed way too much space and the amount of traffic in front of the net didn’t give Connor Ingram a chance to see the puck.
First as a King ✅
First as a Dad 🧑That’s Joel DADmundson™️ pic.twitter.com/3GA0Nfcs7V
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 26, 2024
Meanwhile, this goal was a collection of a missed assignment and the net being left wide open for an easy tap-in.
Overall, there’s a lot to improve defensively. The D-men need to be better but so do the goaltenders. Any save percentage below .900 is unacceptable and won’t win you many games.
After missing the first eight games of the season, center Nick Bjugstad returned to the lineup on Saturday and made his official Utah Hockey Club debut. In nearly 13 minutes played, Bjugstad’s presence was noticeable in several key areas.
First off, having Bjugstad back is an immediate bump to Utah’s third line. Paired with Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse, the trio has played quite a few minutes together in the past and that was evident against the Kings.
Crouse, Maccelli, and Bjugstad’s line has definitely been the most productive for Utah today. Big bodies, great chemistry, stellar creativity and they’re knocking on the door to net one. Really nice to have Bjugstad back.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 26, 2024
Until Bjugstad returned, Maccelli was playing on the fourth line. That’s not where he belongs and has kept him pretty silent to start the season. Now up on the third, he’s able to create and make a more significant impact with Crouse and Bjugstad. Those two are big bodies who can get in front of the net, battle in the corners, bury one-timers and allow Maccelli to do what he does best.
Really nice feed from Maccelli across the slot to Crouse who put one on net. Doesn’t go but that’s a great chance early.
I like Maccelli up on that third line as opposed to being on the fourth.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 26, 2024
Second, having Bjugstad back also evens out the forward lines and adds more size throughout the offense. Both the third and fourth lines are now much bigger with Bjugstad and Crouse on the third and Stenlund paired with McBain on the fourth.
It doesn’t necessarily lead to more hits, but size is important. It can contribute to more faceoff wins, victories for positioning in front of the net and helps defensively.
Now, there’s plenty more work to be done but having Bjugstad back is a boost.
It’s been a rough three game stretch for the Utah Hockey Club. After starting red hot with a 4-1-1 record, the club has lost three in a row and are now 4-4-1 on the season.
Another loss for the Utah Hockey Club as they fall to the Kings 3-2.
Definitely some improvement as they finally found the net a few times but still frustrating. They’ve looked like the better team in 2 of the last 3 games. But some bad key stretches have cost them.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 26, 2024
The most frustrating part of those losses is that Utah has arguably been the better team throughout two of them.
Against Ottawa, Utah led in shots on goal, faceoffs and had way more puck possession. Against the Kings it was similar as they dominated faceoffs, had a few more shots and appeared to have slightly more puck possession. But alas, another loss and similar struggles.
“That was a hell of a hockey game. Two good teams played really hard. I think we played hard on both sides of the puck. I think it was a one-shot game,” Coach Andre Tourigny said.
To be fair, Utah’s performance in LA showed some improvement. In addition to a pair of goals, Utah finally produced on the power play after being held scoreless on their previous 12 opportunities, got bodies to the net, quality shots on goal and found some success.
That was the difference against the Kings.
But to start, they were not possessing high in offensive zone, failed to create traffic and the opportunities were poor. Once they flipped the script and got back to what helped them be successful through the first few games, they finally found the back of the net.
I really like this goal for a few reasons.
1. Utah finally playing higher in the zone rather than back on the blue line. They’ve flourished when they can close in.
2. Look at Hayton get in front of the goalie when Keller shoots. Block his vision.
3. The captain stepped up. https://t.co/l6CW3XJFqY— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 26, 2024
Goals aren’t always pretty but they count just the same.
Throw pucks to the net, get bodies in front, battle for positioning and you’ll get some greaser goals.
Logan Cooley with his first for the #UtahHC https://t.co/p5jwydQwJo
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 26, 2024
“Not ideal going three in a row here but you can’t hit the panic button and when you win when you can’t feel too high…We’ve got the tools, we’ve got the guys in there it’s just going to come down to having that killer instinct…we’ll for sure come out of this,” Nick Bjugstad said.
Unfortunately, their effort was just a little too late as they ran out of time and couldn’t tie things up to force OT. However, if Utah can get that type of sustained offensive effort from puck drop, they may be able to get back on track over the next few games and return to winning ways.
The Utah Hockey Club will now return home to face the winless San Jose Sharks at Delta Center on Monday. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
