SALT LAKE CITY — Time is running out for the Utah Hockey Club, and Thursday night’s game didn’t do them any favors in their fading playoff push.
In a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at the Delta Center, Utah let a tightly contested game slip away in the third period when the Kings scored twice in just 44 seconds. With only six games left in the regular season, Utah now trails Minnesota by nine points for the final playoff spot — making the path to the postseason increasingly unlikely.
“It’s frustrating,” said forward Lawson Crouse, who tallied Utah’s first goal. “We were battling hard, playing the right way, and for one minute, they took advantage. We were in control. It hurts when that effort doesn’t translate to a win.”
Los Angeles, riding momentum into the playoffs, got goals from Adrian Kempe, Trevor Moore, Kevin Fiala, and Drew Doughty. Darcy Kuemper stood tall in net with 28 saves as the Kings picked up their third straight victory — and seventh in their last nine games.
Crouse and Jack McBain scored for Utah, while goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 15 shots. Utah has now dropped four of its last six games.
Utah nearly struck early when Dylan Guenther appeared to score just over a minute into the game, but the goal was overturned following a video review that confirmed an offside entry.
Kempe got the Kings on the board midway through the second period after redirecting a shot into the net during a scramble in front. Crouse responded minutes later with a sharp-angle snipe to tie the game 1-1.
The third period, however, quickly shifted in Los Angeles’ favor. Fiala picked off a pass in Utah’s defensive zone and beat Vejmelka glove-side at 4:06. Moments later, Moore capitalized on a breakaway to stretch the lead to 3-1.
“We’re still pushing — no matter what the standings say,” said Guenther. “We played with urgency tonight, we stuck to the plan. It’s just tough when a short stretch decides the outcome.”
Doughty added an empty-net goal to make it 4-1, but McBain scored a power-play goal in the final minute to trim the deficit to 4-2.
Utah now turns its focus to Saturday’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, hoping to end the season on a high note — even if the playoffs are slipping out of reach.
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