There has only been one thing on the minds of the Los Angeles Kings recently, and it’s been points. In the middle of a jam-packed Pacific Division with five-plus teams gunning for limited playoff spots, the Kings have not needed results more than they do now.
After a disappointing first half to the season, where the Kings still managed to stay right in the thick of things despite not putting their best foot forward on most nights, the need to get rolling and start stringing some wins together is massive.
The Kings are at a point where the bottom line is, get the two points. There’s no longer any solace in the fact that they felt they played well enough to win. There are no rewards for “feeling good” about the way they are playing. Either find a way to pick up the two points, or watch the slow but consequential dip in the standings.
As of late, the Kings are finding a way to pick up the all-important two points. Even though they still make it hard on themselves more often than not, playing with the miniscule leads they have most nights right now, whether it’s finding a way to grind one out, potting the empty netter, or getting the job done in the shootout, the Kings are getting results.
Now with three straight wins, none felt better than the 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings last night, which could easily be classified as one of the best and most complete games the Kings have played all season. Taking on a red-hot Detroit team that came into last night’s contest 8-1-1 in their last 10 along with a goaltender as scorching as John Gibson who was riding an eight-game win streak with an average save percentage of .936 during that span, a Kings team that already had trouble scoring, was going to have to be extra diligent on both sides of the puck to pull one out.
Limiting the Red Wings’ high-end talent all night, and being able to hold on to the two goal lead they secured for themselves with just over six minutes into the third period, the Kings walked out of “Hockeytown” two points richer.
Fourth-Line Magic
After an extra day of rest following the postponement of their game in Columbus the day before, the Kings came out energized and had a willingness to push the pace and dictate the play. Propelled by a fourth line of Taylor Ward, Samuel Helenius, and Jeff Malott that had their motors on the entire night, their relentless forecheck fed energy into the rest of the bench.
“They are really building something for the three of them and I think they are becoming a hit with our team,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “The guys are really appreciating what they are doing, we’re leaning on them, they are scoring pretty consistently. But better than that, they’re in on the forecheck, they’re hard on pucks, they don’t spend a lot of time in the D-zone, it’s been a real boost for us, they really have an identity.”
Drawing penalties, scoring goals, you name it. The fourth line came to play, and that trio has, over the past few games, given the Kings a line they have been able to rely on as they continue to navigate line juggling and inconsistent lineups with all the injuries they continue to deal with.
No Centers, No Problem?
There’s no doubt the Kings have been thin at center for a while now. After trading Phillip Danault back to the Montreal Canadiens just before the holiday roster freeze, the Kings were and have been super light down the middle.
Add in the injuries to centermen, and the Kings have been left with trying to find players who can fill those gaps. They have been without their number one center in Anze Kopitar for just under a month now, and most recently, Alex Turcotte missed last night’s game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
Already having Alex Laferriere (a true winger) fill in on the Kings’ top line, they elected to try Joel Armia (the literal definition of a Swiss Army Knife) at center against the Red Wings, leaving Quinton Byfield and Helenius as the only two true centermen in the lineup.
Related: Kings’ Back-to-Back Losses to the Ducks Highlight Ongoing Struggles
The lack of center depth hasn’t seemed to be all that significant as Laferriere continues to eat up minutes (led all Kings forwards in ice time against the Red Wings with 19:35), and Armia did a fine job filling in for Turcotte.
The Kings do have American Hockey League (AHL) prospect Kenny Connors called up and available to play if they feel they need another true center in the lineup. As of right now, though, riding their first three-game win streak since Nov. 13, changes to a lineup that outworked and out-battled a very good Red Wings team on the road don’t seem likely.
Points Are Mandatory Right Now
We have talked about how crucial it is for the Kings to keep raking in these points, and the truth is, all this three-game win streak has done is just allow them to keep pace with the rest of the teams battling it out in the Pacific.
The Kings are winning, but so are the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, and Seattle Kraken. Six straight points for the Kings has allowed them to remain tied with the Sharks and Kraken for the last wild card spot. They haven’t made up any ground or been able to climb up the standings at all, and that’s where continuing to string together wins becomes even more important.
With how well other teams in the Pacific are playing right now, the Kings can’t afford another blip in the road, especially with how the month of February looks for them with games against the Kraken, Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights twice. It’s really a make-or-break stretch for the Kings that will be met with the Olympic break smack dab in the middle.
The Kings head to Buffalo next to take on a Sabres team that has been completely rejuvenated. With four straight wins and a 7-2-1 record in their last 10, a statement win over the Sabres could be a sign that the Kings are turning over a new leaf.
