What we learned from the Kings’ overtime loss to Arizona

Reporting from Glendale, Ariz. —  A big piece of the Kings’ puzzle returned to their lineup Friday, but they still couldn’t put it all together.

Marian Gaborik made his season debut and looked great.

The Kings came back to tie the score twice against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena, and goalie Darcy Kuemper continued his backup role well. However, the effort ended in a 3-2 overtime loss. The Kings are 1-6-1 in their last eight games, with a date against the Ducks on Saturday night.

Here’s what we learned:

Much of this is operator error

The Kings’ struggles in the transition game were on display in the second period. Arizona’s second goal came courtesy of a pass off of Trevor Lewis, and the Kings committed a similar breakout error just before the buzzer.

“The guys are playing hard, we’ve just got to clean up execution in a couple of areas there, and I think we’ll give ourselves a better chance,” coach John Stevens said.

Asked if that execution was a result of the opponents’ forecheck or unforced errors, Stevens said, “I call them unforced errors.”

It seems like Gaborik will play with Anze Kopitar at some point

The two hooked up for a beauty of a deflection goal by Kopitar in the first period. They were linemates earlier in Gaborik’s career, and if the Kings want Gaborik to tap into his old scoring self, they will eventually put him with Kopitar.

Gaborik will see significant minutes if only because he plays on the power play. Plus, Gaborik is set to earn nearly $5 million this season, and the Kings can’t justify that by having him play on the fourth line.

The one-goal games are the thing

Five of the Kings’ last seven losses were by one goal. That’s often a sign of a team that can stay in games but can’t close them out.

Their uneven play defines them right now, and it’s foolish to think that Gaborik is the savior, or that their depth at forward with the additions of Torrey Mitchell and Jussi Jokinen will make a difference.

The attitude is still positive, at least publicly.

“We’re definitely working our game and getting back to where we need to be,” Kuemper said. “Right now, we’re really close, these one-goal games. It’s definitely coming, we just need to keep working at it and the bounces are going to start coming our way.”