The Los Angeles Kings have put together an amazing stretch to start the season. After going 0-1-1 to start the season, they have gone 11-2-2 since then.Everyone on thee roster is contributing in different ways, and free agent goaltender Cam Talbot is putting himself in the Vezina Trophy talk. The team is playing suffocating defense while putting the puck in the net and getting amazing goaltending.
Kings Putting it Together This Season
In their last five games, the Kings are 3-0-1 and have outscored the opposition 16-12, have won three straight, and are 7-1-2 in their last 10. Los Angeles has also been terrific away from crypto.com arena, starting the season undefeated on the road at 9-0-0 to start the season. Their next away game is this Saturday, November 24 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Individual players on the Kings have been on a roll over the past five games. Quinton Byfield, who is playing unbelieveable hockey, has one goal and three assists for four points, as does Philip Danault. Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe both have three goals and one assist for four point over that stretch, and captain Anze Kopitar has two goals and two assists for four points. Goaltender Cam Talbot has been on fire as well, going 4-1 with seven goals against and a .951 save percentage.
Los Angeles has to maintain this type of play to be in contention. Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights are 13-4-2 for 28 points, while the Vancouver Canucks are 13-5-1 for 27 points and the Kings are in third with 26 points. This division is going to be tight all season and the Kings need players like Byfield to contribute on a regular basis at both ends of the ice. Byfield has been a bit of a surprise so far this season as he had struggled previously, coming back from injuries to find his way in the lineup. If the Kings can get Arthur Kaliyev and newcomer Pierre-Luc Dubois going, this forward group could be dangerous.
The goaltending has been a surprise as well. Many fans did not know what to expect with Talbot, assuming Pheonix Copley would be the starter. However, they have switched roles as Talbot is now the clear starter while Copley is his backup. If Copley can get back to his form from last season, this would be an underrated goaltending tandem in the entire league.
We are a fourth of the way through the 2023-24 NHL season and the Kings look good. In a tight division, there is no letdown or it could be sinking your own ship. The Kings need a few pieces to step up to take control of the Pacific Division but right now they are sitting in a nice spot.
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photoLlakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
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