The Los Angeles Kings have proven over the last several years that they can be one of the best teams in the NHL on any given night. Los Angeles has consistently been one of the top defensive clubs in the league, while never failing to post monster possession numbers such as their impressive 57.3 five-on-five Corsi for percentage in 2013-14. They manage to post numbers like this year in and year out, despite the fact that they scored the fifth lowest amount of goals per game (2.42) out of any team this season. How do they do it? How do the Kings, an anemic offensive team, continue to win?
1.) Coaching. Darryl Sutter is one of the best coaches in the world, with one of his main strengths being that he knows how to teach a system based game. The Kings have fully bought in to Darryl’s game plan, which includes tight checking and rock solid defense. The opposition can’t score if they don’t have the puck, and since the Kings usually have possession, the opposition rarely scores. Sutter has worked with his players and moulded them to successfully play in defensive system. The progression of defensemen Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez just exemplifies the fact that Sutter is excellent at bringing along youngsters to be smart and effective players.
2.) Depth at Centre. The Kings are arguably one of the deepest teams in the league down the middle. Anze Kopitar –who is currently my favourite for the Conn Smythe- is one of the best two-way centres in the league, and Jeff Carter is a dynamic natural goal scorer. That’s without even mentioning former Olympian Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll, who is quite possibly the best fourth line centre in the NHL. Any team would have trouble matching up against that incredible depth. Even the Sharks, who boast the likes of Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski down the middle, were given fits by the Kings centres.
3.) Key acquisitions. Over the years, L.A. has made some shrewd pickups that are currently paying dividends. Justin Williams, acquired from the Hurricanes during the 2008-09 season, is one of the best possession players in the world and also one of the most underrated. The Kings most recent deadline pickup is Marian Gaborik, who has brought another element to the offense in L.A. with his blazing speed and nose for the net. Gaborik has nine playoff goals already this post season.
4.) Development of young players. The youthful infusion of wingers Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli has brought a spark to the lineup that hasn’t been present before. Both have been excelling in a second line role alongside centre Jeff Carter. Pearson has two goals and seven assists, while Toffoli has five goals and four assists. The two youngsters add a little bit of pop to the Kings, something that has been missing from the team for quite some time.
5.) Jonathan Quick. It really doesn’t matter what his stats are, because he still gives his team a chance to win each and every night. Quick is an all-world goaltender, and his compete level and athleticism allow him to keep his team in any game they play. His numbers aren’t dazzling this post season, but this is one of those cases where the numbers definitely don’t tell the whole story. Quick is this Kings most important player and it’s not even close. (No offense to Kopitar and Drew Doughty, who have both been stellar.)
Thanks for reading!
1.) Coaching. Darryl Sutter is one of the best coaches in the world, with one of his main strengths being that he knows how to teach a system based game. The Kings have fully bought in to Darryl’s game plan, which includes tight checking and rock solid defense. The opposition can’t score if they don’t have the puck, and since the Kings usually have possession, the opposition rarely scores. Sutter has worked with his players and moulded them to successfully play in defensive system. The progression of defensemen Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez just exemplifies the fact that Sutter is excellent at bringing along youngsters to be smart and effective players.
2.) Depth at Centre. The Kings are arguably one of the deepest teams in the league down the middle. Anze Kopitar –who is currently my favourite for the Conn Smythe- is one of the best two-way centres in the league, and Jeff Carter is a dynamic natural goal scorer. That’s without even mentioning former Olympian Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll, who is quite possibly the best fourth line centre in the NHL. Any team would have trouble matching up against that incredible depth. Even the Sharks, who boast the likes of Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski down the middle, were given fits by the Kings centres.
3.) Key acquisitions. Over the years, L.A. has made some shrewd pickups that are currently paying dividends. Justin Williams, acquired from the Hurricanes during the 2008-09 season, is one of the best possession players in the world and also one of the most underrated. The Kings most recent deadline pickup is Marian Gaborik, who has brought another element to the offense in L.A. with his blazing speed and nose for the net. Gaborik has nine playoff goals already this post season.
4.) Development of young players. The youthful infusion of wingers Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli has brought a spark to the lineup that hasn’t been present before. Both have been excelling in a second line role alongside centre Jeff Carter. Pearson has two goals and seven assists, while Toffoli has five goals and four assists. The two youngsters add a little bit of pop to the Kings, something that has been missing from the team for quite some time.
5.) Jonathan Quick. It really doesn’t matter what his stats are, because he still gives his team a chance to win each and every night. Quick is an all-world goaltender, and his compete level and athleticism allow him to keep his team in any game they play. His numbers aren’t dazzling this post season, but this is one of those cases where the numbers definitely don’t tell the whole story. Quick is this Kings most important player and it’s not even close. (No offense to Kopitar and Drew Doughty, who have both been stellar.)
Thanks for reading!