LA Kings Fall To Ducks In Shootout After Late Collapse

The Los Angeles Kings  (19-16-12) earned a point tonight against the Anaheim Ducks (23-21-3) at home, but missed another chance of closing out the game when it got tight, falling 3-2 to Anaheim after leading 2-0 late in the second period. 

Despite Los Angeles controlling large stretches of the game and the numbers on the stat sheet looking similar, the Kings once again proved they can't be trusted when the game gets close, as Mason McTavish sealed the win in the shootout. 

Final from the Shootout in LA. #GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/wZpCkYYtWk

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 17, 2026

Byfield and Armia Power the Kings to an Early 2-0 Lead

Los Angeles opened the scoring just over a minute into the first period when Quinton Byfield buried a wrist shot for his eighth goal of the season. Joel Armia, who returned from injury tonight after missing the last five games, quickly made his presence felt on the ice for the Kings, burying his 10th goal of the season in the second period, keeping the Kings in firm control of the game. 

At this point, it looked like the Kings had a firm grip on the game, generating great looks and consistent pressure off the rush and in the offensive zone. But, it wouldn't be a Kings game if it didn't go down to the wire. 

WELCOME BACK ARMY pic.twitter.com/RblN5j7ehb

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 17, 2026

Late-Second Period Collapse Continues Troubling Trend

The game turned quickly late in the second period, a period that continues to haunt the Kings all season. 

Ryan Strome and Tim Washe (who scored his first NHL goal) found the net against Darcy Kuemper, tying the game 2-2 just like that, putting the pressure on Los Angeles after having a commanding 2-0 lead. 

Los Angeles has now surrendered 50 goals in the second period this season and owns a minus -10 goal differential in the frame, an awful stat to resurface at such a critical moment. 

Not the best couple of minutes in late 2nd for Darcy Kuemper, Strome and Washe (1st NHL goal) on low danger chances.
2 in 2:44 for Anaheim in a frame that Kings have been subpar all season (50 GA -10 goal differential). LA have lost 11 of 16 when tied after 2.
2 2 after 40

— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) January 17, 2026

Kings Again Struggle When Games Are Tied After 40

The collapse after building a two-goal lead carried into another frustrating reality. The Kings have now lost 12 of 17 games that are tied after two periods, a big issue that keeps recurring when games are close and momentum swings to the opposition. 

After 40 minutes, the game was tied 2-2. Despite Los Angeles controlling large stretches of possession and generating more quality looks, the game was tied. 

Scoreless Third Leads to OT

Neither team scored in the third period or overtime, despite Kevin Fiala having a breakaway fast-break opportunity, but he lost control of the puck under the Ducks' defensive pressure. 

LA and Anaheim had good luck in overtime, but give credit to both goaltenders for saving the game and sending it to a shootout. 

Anaheim ultimately would prevail when McTavish beat Kuemper to secure a 3-2 Ducks win. 

Both the Kings and Ducks finished with identical numbers at the end of the game: 28 shots and 50% on faceoffs, but neither team scored a power-play goal tonight. 

Despite strong efforts from Fiala and Armia, the Kings once again walked away with just one point after failing to close out a winnable game. This loss becomes very concerning for the Kings because it's the same away Los Angeles keeps losing, strong starts are no longer enough if they can't execute late-game situations.

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