As the NHL season progresses, the Los Angeles Kings have emerged as strong contenders for the Stanley Cup in the Western Conference. With a record of 16-8-1, the Kings currently sit in second place in the Pacific Division and fifth overall in the conference.
One of the key factors contributing to the Kings’ success this season has been their strong defensive play. Led by veteran defenseman Drew Doughty, the team has allowed just 2.3 goals per game, the second-best mark in the league. In addition, goaltender Jonathan Quick has been outstanding between the pipes, posting a .929 save percentage and three shutouts in 21 games played.
Offensively, the Kings have also been impressive. Anze Kopitar leads the team with 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 25 games, while linemate Dustin Brown has chipped in with 18 points (nine goals, nine assists). The team’s power play has also been effective, ranking seventh in the league with a success rate of 25.5 percent.
Another factor that bodes well for the Kings’ playoff chances is their experience. This is a team that has won two Stanley Cups in the past decade (2012 and 2014) and has several players who were key contributors during those championship runs. Doughty, Kopitar, Brown, Quick, and Jeff Carter are all veterans who know what it takes to win in the postseason.
Of course, there are still plenty of challenges ahead for the Kings. The Western Conference is stacked with talented teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues. In addition, injuries could always derail a team’s playoff hopes.
But if the Kings can continue to play at a high level and stay healthy, they have a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run this season. With their combination of strong defense, solid goaltending, and experienced core of players, the Kings are a team to watch in the Western Conference.
