Kings Collapse Late in Heartbreaking Loss to Canadiens

Two goals surrendered in 49 seconds with five minutes left in the game buried the Kings in their 4-3 defeat against Montreal.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Despite dominating play for most of the game, the Los Angeles Kings were unable to hold a one-goal lead with five minutes remaining and gave up two quick goals in the final minutes, losing 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

Why it matters

The loss is a tough blow for the Kings, who are fighting to stay in the playoff race in the Western Conference. The team has undergone several changes lately, including the trade of star Artemi Panarin and the firing of head coach Jim Hiller.

The details

The Kings outshot the Canadiens 39-23 overall and controlled play for much of the game, but a late collapse proved costly. With five minutes left and the Kings leading by one, the Canadiens scored twice in 49 seconds to take the lead. Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky, who were both heavily involved, scored the game-tying and game-winning goals for Montreal.

  • The Canadiens scored the tying goal on the power play with five minutes left in the game.
  • Less than a minute later, the Canadiens scored the go-ahead goal to take a 4-3 lead.

The players

Nick Suzuki

A top-line center for the Montreal Canadiens who recorded a goal and an assist in the comeback win.

Juraj Slafkovsky

A rookie winger for the Montreal Canadiens who scored two goals, including the game-tying and game-winning goals in the final minutes.

Artemi Panarin

A star player who was recently traded away by the Los Angeles Kings as part of the team's changes.

D.J. Smith

The interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who is trying to guide the team through a difficult season.

Alex Laferriere

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who expressed disappointment in the team's late collapse.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When the game's on the line, you've got to make plays. And six minutes to go, their top guys made plays.”

— D.J. Smith, Interim Head Coach, Los Angeles Kings

“I thought we outplayed them pretty much for 59 minutes of the game. So yeah, it definitely stings.”

— Alex Laferriere, Forward, Los Angeles Kings

“They're working, but they're working smart. We're starting to play heavier in the (offensive) zone. I still think we can get a lot more pucks to the net. In the back end, every chance you can to sling it or get it there. And then the forwards got to continue to do a good job of climbing on the goalie.”

— D.J. Smith, Interim Head Coach, Los Angeles Kings

“The relationship's been there for about 15 years. He did a lot for me as a junior player. I think he's a great coach. He gets a lot out of you. He's very vocal and knows the game and cares about his players. So I'm super excited to play for him.”

— Scott Laughton

“Time is running out. We have 20 games left now, and we need every single point.”

— Alex Laferriere, Forward, Los Angeles Kings

What’s next

The Kings will look to bounce back quickly as they continue their fight to make the playoffs, with just 20 games remaining in the regular season.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking loss highlights the Kings' struggles to close out games this season, despite strong overall play. The team's recent roster changes and coaching shakeup have added further uncertainty, making each remaining game crucial in their quest to secure a playoff spot.