Canadiens End Losing Streak Against Kings
Before the recent matchup, the Montreal Canadiens faced a challenging history against the Los Angeles Kings, having lost seven consecutive games in regulation. The expectation was that this trend would continue, especially given the Kings’ strong performance earlier in the season.
However, the game on March 7, 2026, in Los Angeles marked a decisive shift. The Canadiens secured a 4-3 victory, ending their nine-game losing streak against the Kings. Juraj Slafkovsky was instrumental in this win, scoring two goals and assisting on the game-winning goal.
As the game progressed, the Kings initially took the lead with Anze Kopitar scoring his seventh goal of the season. Alex Laferriere then added to the Kings’ tally with a tiebreaking goal early in the third period. Yet, the Canadiens responded effectively, with Nick Suzuki scoring the tiebreaking goal with just 4:33 left on the clock.
Jakub Dobes, the Canadiens’ goaltender, played a crucial role, making 35 saves and achieving a save percentage of .923. His performance was pivotal in maintaining the Canadiens’ lead and ultimately clinching the victory.
This win not only marked the Canadiens’ NHL-leading 20th comeback victory of the season but also highlighted their resilience, especially after a tough loss to Anaheim the previous night. As noted, “Montreal had its NHL-leading 20th comeback victory one night after making a late rally — and then blowing a lead — in a wild 6-5 loss to Anaheim.”
For the Kings, the game was a disappointment, particularly for new player Scott Laughton, who scored in his debut after being traded from Toronto. Laughton expressed the challenge of adjusting to a new team, stating, “It’s tough at the start, I think, just kind of finding your way around.”
Alex Laferriere, reflecting on the game, mentioned, “That’s one we definitely want to have two points from,” indicating the high stakes of the match for the Kings.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens are set to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, aiming to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, the Kings will need to regroup and address their defensive lapses to avoid further setbacks.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of this game on both teams’ standings as the season progresses.
