Kings Fall to Sabres Despite Offensive Push, Controversial Calls in 4-1 Loss
The Los Angeles Kings came into Buffalo riding a wave of momentum - a three-game win streak and a six-game point streak. But all that came to a halt Monday night, as the Kings ran into a hot goaltender, a few tough breaks, and some officiating decisions that left head coach Jim Hiller visibly frustrated after a 4-1 loss to the Sabres.
On the stat sheet, the Kings were the aggressors. Nearly 40 shots on goal.
Double-digit high-danger chances. A relentless second-period push.
But hockey doesn’t always reward the team with the prettier numbers - especially when the bounces don’t go your way.
A Disallowed Goal Changes the Tone
Down 2-0 midway through the second period, the Kings looked like they had finally broken through. A goal that could’ve cut the deficit in half and shifted the game’s momentum was waved off after a lengthy discussion among the officials.
The call? Goalie interference.
Initially ruled a good goal on the ice, the decision was reversed after a referee huddle. According to Hiller, the explanation centered around the Sabres’ goalie not having a chance to reset after Kings forward Alex Laferriere (referred to as "Perrs" in the postgame comments) was in the crease.
“I saw the goal on the ice, so I was pretty comfortable,” Hiller said postgame. “I saw the goalie reset.
Pretty comfortable that if the goal was going to get taken away, Buffalo would probably have to challenge it. That was what was going through my head, but I don’t decide that.”
It was a pivotal moment. The Kings were buzzing in the offensive zone, and that goal could’ve changed the trajectory of the game. Instead, it was erased - and the Sabres never looked back.
Missed Opportunities and a Thin Margin for Error
Despite the final scoreline, the Kings didn’t go quietly. In fact, they generated a flurry of chances in the second period - ten by Hiller’s count - including a shot off the crossbar and several close-range looks. But the puck just wouldn’t go in.
“We had some really good chances,” Hiller said. “I really liked how we played in the second specifically.
We just can’t get down by two. It’s hard for our team.
We’ve created a lot of chances, had a lot of shots, attempts… Can’t get down by two. Unfortunately, our margin for error is just thin.”
And that’s been a theme for this Kings team. When they’re playing from ahead or even, they can dictate pace and grind opponents down. But when chasing the game, especially against a team like Buffalo that can capitalize on mistakes, the hill gets steep fast.
Costly Penalty Adds to the Frustration
Adding to the Kings’ woes was a too-many-men penalty that Hiller admitted was a self-inflicted wound. It didn’t directly lead to a goal, but it halted momentum during a stretch where LA was pushing hard to get back into the game.
“That was one of the times where you could say, as I go through the game mentally, there were some things that we didn’t do well,” Hiller said. “That can happen. There’s a lot of confusion going on at that time and unfortunately we make a poor decision.”
It was a moment that summed up the night - a team trying to claw back, only to be undone by a mix of bad luck and small mistakes.
Goaltending Duel Goes Buffalo’s Way
While the Kings peppered Buffalo’s net with shots, the Sabres’ goaltender was sharp. He controlled rebounds, stayed compact, and didn’t give LA many second-chance opportunities. Hiller gave credit where it was due.
“Goalie did a pretty good job squeezing,” he said. “He didn’t kick out a lot of rebounds.
A lot of it, whether he saw it or not, ended up in here and his arms and different spots. There wasn’t a lot coming off his pads.”
That kind of rebound control can frustrate even the most persistent offensive teams - and it did just that to the Kings.
Moving Forward
The loss stings, no question. Not just because it ended a solid run of form, but because the Kings played well enough to be in the game - and maybe even win it. But in a league where the margins are razor-thin, effort and execution don’t always line up on the scoreboard.
“We did a lot of things really well,” Hiller said. “You just don’t like the outcome.”
Now, the Kings will need to regroup quickly as they continue their Eastern Conference road swing. The effort is there.
The chances are coming. But they’ll need cleaner execution - and maybe a few more friendly bounces - to get back in the win column.