It wasn’t a pretty effort from the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, but they managed to stay in the game against the Los Angeles Kings.
A goal by P.K. Subban cut Los Angeles’ lead to 2-1.
Unfortunately for Subban, it was his costly mistake that led to Dwight King’s eventual game-winning goal in the third period.
Nine minutes later, Subban picked up the primary assist on Lars Eller’s goal. That’s as close as Montreal would come to tying the game.
Instead of blaming his star player like he did after a loss to Colorado last month, head coach Michel Therrien took a different approach.
#Habs Therrien on #LAKings winning goal: "It's unfortunate. PK lost an edge; those things happen. It wasn't his fault."
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) March 4, 2016
Here’s Subban’s explanation:
#Habs Subban says the puck was bouncing and he was trying to settle it down, not make a play. Then he fell and King went in on breakaway.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) March 4, 2016
The Canadiens have dropped all three games during their trip through California. They’ll finish their road trip in Winnipeg on Saturday night.