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Sutter thinks Kings’ goaltending has ‘leveled out’

Darryl Sutter

Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter watches his team after Chicago Blackhawks’ Kris Versteeg scored a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

The Los Angeles Kings lost their fourth straight last night, falling 3-2 to the Stars in Dallas. After the game, coach Darryl Sutter was asked about the performance of his goalie, Ben Scrivens.

“You know what? Our goaltending’s leveled out,” said Sutter, per LA Kings Insider. “When you’re not scoring goals – we’re not a team that scores a lot of goals – you need more than average goaltending, and the second goal tonight’s not a great goal. Whether it’s off the boards, or whatever it is, you’ve got to make those. That’s part of what the best goalies in the league do.”

Here’s that second goal, a bank shot off Scrivens’ skate by Tyler Seguin:

Was Sutter being a little hard on Scrivens? Maybe. Unless you think Scrivens could be faulted for getting himself too far out of position on the original shot that missed the net.

But Sutter’s right about the Kings not scoring much; they’re currently ranked 20th in the NHL, averaging 2.54 goals per game.

Overall, Scrivens and Martin Jones have been excellent in relief of injured starter Jonathan Quick. The Kings’ next game is Thursday in St. Louis.