Drew Doughty called out some of his teammates for a lack of effort following the Los Angeles Kings' 5-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday.
"I think (our desperation level has) been lacking for the last five games," Doughty said postgame. "We haven't had any intensity, anyone competing. I shouldn't say that. We've had some guys competing every single game, and we've had others take games on, play good games, and take games off.
"We're down 4-1 in the third period, I sure hope that we're playing a little more desperate. But it's absolutely ridiculous that we didn't play like that in the first or the second. Or the last four games. Actually, besides the Vegas one."
The Kings are 1-6-0 in their last seven games and have been outscored 23-12 in that span. Los Angeles had hung around to battle for the West Division's fourth and final playoff spot for most of the season, but the club is now in seventh place - nine points out.
"We put ourselves in a good spot, and the last two weeks or so we've absolutely shot ourselves in the foot, and now we've got a lot of work to do, a lot of climbing to do, and a lot of winning to do," Doughty said. "Honestly, I don't even remember your question I'm so pissed off right now."
Doughty is one of the league's most emotionally outspoken players, but in March, he said he believes his outbursts make him "look bad," so he's been attempting to keep them to a minimum.
However, that didn't stop the former Norris Trophy winner from continuing his rant on Thursday.
"Compete," Doughty said when asked how he wants to see his team respond. "Act like you've earned your spot in this lineup and on our team and run with it. Don't sit around hoping you're gonna get more shifts. Take your chance and run with it.
"I think some guys are just worried about just being in the lineup, and I understand that, but at the same time we need our second and third core guys, as (well) as our top core guys, to all step up right now and play as if its playoff series, every single series we play in."
The 31-year-old has carried his weight this season, registering 28 points in 37 games while averaging nearly 27 minutes per contest. Doughty's 0.76 points per game currently stand as a career high.
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