Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Kings HC blasts team for 'stupidity' in home loss to Sabres

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/25/24

Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan roasted his team following their 5-3 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres (21-23-4) on Wednesday night.
The Kings led 3-1 after the first period before being outscored 4-0 the rest of the way.

Todd McLellan was asked if he’s worried about his job security and he responded saying “it’s a very fair question.”

“The stupidity that went into that loss is beyond explainable.”
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) January 25, 2024

Wednesday was the Sabres' first win in 14 tries this season when they trailed by at least two goals after the opening period, according to an Associated Press and ESPN report. Los Angeles (22-14-9) currently holds the first wild-card berth in the Western Conference but has lost 12 of its last 14 contests.

Veteran defenseman Drew Doughty had harsh words for his teammates after the defeat as well.

“We got a 3-1 lead tonight and guys start thinking it’s a cookie night and stop playing the way we know how to play”
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) January 25, 2024

McLellan is in his fifth season with the Kings, leading the team to back-to-back playoff appearances but consecutive first-round losses to the Edmonton Oilers.

He was open about the squad's struggles over recent weeks and candidly answered questions about his job status, with the season now past the halfway point.

"When you looked at the team that played the first, what would we call it, 25, 30 games if you will, it doesn’t look like the team that’s playing right now. And I’m responsible for it," he said, per the Associated Press and ESPN report."

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