LA Kings Hit a Rough Patch as NHL Playoffs Loom
A Rough Patch for the Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have found themselves in a challenging stretch, with losses piling up as they've dropped 12 of their last 14 games. Despite this slump, the team remains competitive in the standings, securing fourth place in the Pacific Division and clutching the first wild card spot for the playoffs from the Western Conference.
Looking ahead, the Kings face a daunting road schedule, with seven out of their next eight games away from home. This comes after a lackluster four-game homestand where they managed only a single win, two losses, and one overtime loss.
Coaching Tenure Under Scrutiny
Head coach Todd McLellan is navigating his fifth season at the helm of the Kings. His tenure has been solidified with a contract extension that runs through the 2024-25 season. Despite the current downturn, General Manager Rob Blake has expressed his support for McLellan, underlining the organization's confidence in his leadership abilities.
McLellan himself has taken ownership of the team's performance. "I'm responsible for this," he admitted. He reflected on the stark contrast between the team's promising start and its recent struggles. The coach has been actively seeking solutions, trying various strategies to reverse the team's fortunes. "We're trying different things at different times. But I'm going to keep pushing away. I'm going to try and push buttons, poke people, praise people, look at how we do things," McLellan explained.
Underlying Numbers Versus Reality
The Kings' underlying statistics indicate a disparity between expected and actual performance. McLellan pointed out that while these metrics suggest the team should be mirroring their earlier successes, the wins column tells a different story. "Our numbers -- our underlying numbers -- say we're more the first-half team than the second-half team, but the winning column doesn't say that, and that's all that matters," he said.
Player Perspectives on Team Performance
Anze Kopitar, a key figure on the team, echoed the sentiment that player execution on the ice is pivotal. He emphasized the responsibility players hold in translating coaching strategies into results. "They give us a plan, they give us the structure, the motivation or the kick in the [rear end]. It is what it is, but it's about the guys that have to bring it out on the ice and make things happen," Kopitar stated.
Drew Doughty, another veteran presence, highlighted the importance of collective effort and selflessness within the squad. According to Doughty, individual brilliance is secondary to the team's concerted endeavor. "We feel that every single player on this team needs to give 100-percent effort. And you're not going to have your best stuff every night, but if we all give our 100-percent effort, we're a good enough team," he remarked. Doughty further stressed unity and teamwork as the cornerstones of success: "If we play together, we're going to win games, so you don't need one player to be the best player on the ice every single night. That's not the way we win games. We win games as a play, collectively and playing for the team."
Playoff Prospects and Moving Forward
Despite the recent downturn, the Kings have a history of resilience, having made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. The team's ability to secure a playoff spot again will hinge on their performance during the upcoming road games and their capacity to translate their underlying potential into tangible outcomes.
With a supportive general manager, a committed head coach, and players who understand the necessity of a united front, the Los Angeles Kings are poised to confront their challenges head-on. As they embark on their critical road trip, the Kings have an opportunity to turn their season around, ensuring that their early-season form is reflected in the win column where it counts the most.