“It sucks. I think the effort is there, it’s hard to fault the effort, but it’s executing,” said Kings forward Joel Armia after the team’s narrow 4-3 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth on March 22, 2026.
The Kings, who had a perfect 4-0-0 record against the Mammoth prior to this game, found themselves in a precarious position after suffering a defeat to the Buffalo Sabres just a day earlier. The loss to the Sabres, with a score of 4-1, had already put the Kings’ playoff hopes in jeopardy.
In the matchup against the Mammoth, Artemi Panarin opened the scoring for the Kings, marking his third consecutive game with a goal. His six career goals against Utah are the most by any player in NHL history, showcasing his prowess on the ice.
However, the Mammoth quickly responded, with Lawson Crouse netting two goals in the first period, putting the Kings on the back foot. Despite their efforts, the Kings struggled to maintain control and fell behind.
Nick Schmaltz sealed the game for the Mammoth with a game-winning goal in overtime, leaving the Kings with a record of 28-25-17 this season. They now find themselves three points behind the Nashville Predators, having fallen out of a playoff spot.
DJ Smith, the Kings’ coach, commented, “I think in that situation, it’s just tracking rules apply,” emphasizing the need for better execution in critical moments.
The Kings will have to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the Calgary Flames on March 24, 2026. The margin for error has all but evaporated, and the team will need to summon its best hockey down the stretch if it hopes to extend its season into the playoffs.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Kings can turn their fortunes around in the upcoming games.