from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

The specifics behind the Kings' 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, their first loss at Staples Center since March 23 and perhaps their final home game this season, were painfully clear.

They made bad line changes that contributed to two goals. Had defensive breakdowns that once were uncharacteristic but have been occurring with more frequency as they drag their tired bodies deeper into the Western Conference finals. Made too many turnovers in the neutral zone, where games are often lost or won.

From a big-picture perspective, there's one overriding reason they could come home from Chicago on Saturday with no games left on their schedule and no chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

They're not scoring enough goals or coming up with the won't-be-denied victories in battles along the boards they were winning against St. Louis and San Jose. They maintained their average of two goals per game on Thursday but made enough mistakes to give up three goals to a Blackhawks team that smoothly compensated for the absence of vital but suspended defenseman Duncan Keith.

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