One type of loss will leave you muttering “it’s just one game.” Another one will leave you worrying about the future.
The Los Angeles Kings couldn’t have been happy about falling to the San Jose Sharks by a score of 2-1 to open their respective seasons on Sunday.
Even so, it’s clear that they’re probably more worried about the health of goalie Jonathan Quick, who could be out “a while.” If Darryl Sutter’s belief that the injury happened at the end of the first period of Wednesday’s game, then it may have happened here:
Jeff Zatkoff wasn’t a disaster by any stretch, as it’s likely that he didn’t have much of a chance of stopping Brent Burns’ game-winning goal.
While San Jose generated a healthy advantage in shots on goal and possession, Zatkoff wasn’t bombarded by chances. If nothing else, the Kings are well-suited to protect their new backup if Zatkoff needs to be the No. 1 guy for a while.
Regardless, it was a pretty unpleasant way to begin the 2016-17 season.
The Sharks, meanwhile, likely look at their opener as a positive continuation of last season’s strong finish, right down to Burns being a difference-maker.