LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings can not stop the skid. They entered Wednesday on a two-game losing streak after a road trip in New York, hoping to get back to their winning ways. However, they dropped their third game in a row, losing to the Winnipeg Jets, 5-2.

The Kings started quickly by scoring two goals in the first period. But they were overpowered due to a three-goal second period by the Jets. 

“We played the second period lackadaisical,” McLellan said. “Not focused. Not driven. Played with a lot of hope in our game. Played in pieces.”

It was the first time the Kings played the Jets at Crypto.com Area since trading with them for Pierre Luc-Dubois, giving up Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo, among others. Vilardi scored the Jets’ fourth goal and was met with boos from the Kings crowd. His two-point night was one of the driving forces behind the Jets’s victory. 

No Kings reached the two-point mark on Wednesday like their former teammate did, but six added one point to their totals.

9:36 into the first period, Anze Kopitar scored a loose puck in front of the net, giving the Kings a 1-0 lead.

12:29 into the first period, Alex Laferriere snuck a shot into the goal from a tight angle. 2-0, Kings. 

“Just a dirty goal,” McLellan said. “Throw it from that angle; you don’t expect the score, but you don’t throw it, you don’t have a chance.

Ultimately, the Kings dropped the game, marking goaltender Cam Talbot’s fifth loss in the 2023-24 season. He started his 18th game (19th appearance), having arguably been one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. However, Talbot allowed four goals on Wednesday on 28 shots.

Next, the Kings play the Seattle Kraken on Saturday with a chance to right the ship.

 “We haven’t had this test. It’s amazing. We’re two weeks away from Christmas,” McLellan said.