The Los Angeles Kings have played strong enough hockey this season to be on top of the Pacific Division a month into the 2024-25 season. Credit goes to the players on the ice as they are on top without defenseman Drew Doughty and young star Quinton Byfield struggling. This has much to say about the team and that they can perform this well without two big players being factors.
Kings look to keep rolling despite setbacks
The Kings have a record of 9-5-3 for 21 points, 1 point ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights and two points ahead of the Calgary Flames. Los Angeles is outscoring opponents 55-50 and are 4-1-1 at homer and 5-4-2 on the road. Captain Anze Kopitar leads the team offensively, posting five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 17 games. Defenseman Brandt Clarke leads the defense, scoring two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 17 games. Goaltender David Rittich leads the goaltenders with five wins and has an overall record of 5-3 with a 2.67 goals-against-average and a .890 save percentage and one shutout (among league leaders).
The Kings lead is not a big one and it is still early as they are third in the Western Conference. They are winning but the games have been too close to call. The offense has been good, but with Byfield not producing like last season that will set the offense back a bit. If he can come around and produce like before this offense could look dramatically different. Doughty is not expected back anytime soon, but Clarke has supplied enough offense to keep the production rolling from the back end.
Los Angeles is tied for seventh in goals scored with 55 and are second in shots against with 25.5 per game. The Kings are ninth in goals-against-average at 2.88 and are in the middle of the pack in several other categories for team stats.
General Manager Rob Blake may want to use this opportunity to make another move, if possible. Yes, the team is winning and in first place, but the way they are winning is nothing short of amazing. Alex LAferriere (15 points) and Adrian Kempe (14 points) make up the top line with Kopitar and they have been good. The other forwards need to step up so this line does not have to carry the load every game. On defense, Clarke has double the points Vladislav Gavrikov has (7 points) for offensive production from the blue line. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is a solid 4-2 with a 2.65 GAA and a .903 save percentage.
The Kings are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and seem to be going with the flow. They have had a good start to the season and players are playing their roles well. If the forwards, other than the top line, can contribute on a nightly basis, and the defense can get more offense, the Kings may have a chance to run away with the division. Goaltending is solid and should be enough to carry them into the playoffs once again.
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
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