![\"NHL:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27599486.jpg\")
Nov 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie (39) plays the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThere was no California Dreamin’ for the Boston Bruins to start a three-game swing through the Golden State. Instead, a nightmarish trend continued.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After allowing a game-winning goal in the final six minutes of regulation for the second time in four games in a Wednesday setback to the Anaheim Ducks, the Bruins will look to get back on track when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Morgan Geekie’s two power-play goals helped Boston rally to tie in the third period, but despite outshooting Anaheim 39-33, first-year coach Marco Sturm felt his team lacked on the defensive end of the ice.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Frustrating leaving here without a point,” Sturm said following the 4-3 loss. “I think offensively, we did a good enough job that we could’ve won the game.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “If you can’t defend or don’t want to defend, then you are going to end up with a game like (that),” concluded Sturm, who had worked in the Kings organization since 2018 before taking over the Bruins.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Geekie closed Wednesday — which was his second multi-goal performance of the season — in a three-way tie for the NHL lead with 14 goals. After Thursday’s games, Geekie is tied for second. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon is the leader with 16.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Of course, the indefinite loss of Charlie McAvoy does not help Boston’s defensive state. The 27-year-old underwent successful facial surgery earlier this week after taking a slap shot to the face last Saturday at Montreal. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Friday will mark McAvoy’s third consecutive game missed. There is no timetable for his return.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Michael Callahan joined the team from AHL affiliate Providence to take the veteran’s roster spot, while the rest of the Boston pairs took on a different look in Anaheim. Nikita Zadorov and rookie Jonathan Aspirot made up the top unit.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I think we’re all ready and excited to play with new guys and jump at the opportunity,” blueliner Andrew Peeke said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The date with Boston marks the Kings’ first home game since Nov. 6 and the second half of a back-to-back following a 4-3 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n As part of a new-look lineup, coach Jim Hiller retained the combination of Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe after putting them together in a 2-1 Monday loss at the Washington Capitals. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We’d always like to create more offense. I think that’s where the opportunity lies with our team,” Hiller said before Thursday’s game. “We’re playing pretty close to our identity, but I think not unlike last year, there’s room for us to score a little bit more.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Andrei Kuzmenko, who has just three goals in 18 games this season, returned after spending the previous three games as a healthy scratch. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Hopefully this reset gets him going the way he was at the end of last year,” Hiller said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Offense has come in waves lately for the Kings, who had a four-game win streak snapped Monday. Prior to Thursday, they had scored one goal in each of back-to-back games after totaling nine across the previous two.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Kempe said tweaking the lineup could be a benefit throughout the dressing room. He responded with his first goal since Nov. 4, a game-tying, extra-attacker tally in the final minute of regulation.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Maybe a shake up is good for everybody,” said Kempe, who signed an eight-year contract extension on Monday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Anze Kopitar led the Kings with a goal and an assist.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Los Angeles is 1-4-2 on home ice as compared to a sparkling 9-2-3 on the road.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bruins are not alone in the key injury department, as Los Angeles placed defenseman Drew Doughty on injured reserve Thursday after taking a shot off his left foot. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Doughty is week-to-week according to Hiller and will miss a third straight game on Friday. Jacob Moverare has played the last two in his place. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n -Field Level Media?<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n