Los Angeles Kings' Playoff Hopes Amidst Recent Struggles
The Los Angeles Kings have hit a rough patch in their current NHL season, facing a challenging period with 12 losses out of their last 14 games. Despite this slump, they maintain a position just within the playoff threshold, holding onto the first wild card spot from the Western Conference and ranking fourth in the Pacific Division.
As the team prepares for a demanding schedule with seven of their next eight games on the road, the spotlight intensifies on Head Coach Todd McLellan. Now in his fifth season at the helm of the Kings, McLellan is under contract through the 2024-25 season, reflecting a long-term commitment by the organization to his leadership. General Manager Rob Blake has expressed his support for McLellan, signaling confidence in his ability to navigate the team through its current struggles.
Analyzing Performance Versus Results
The Kings' performance metrics seem to tell a story of unfulfilled potential. Their underlying numbers—a collection of statistics that often predict future performance—indicate a team that should be faring better than their recent results suggest. This discrepancy between analytics and outcomes has been acknowledged by McLellan, who admits that despite favorable data, victories are ultimately what count in the standings.
"Our numbers -- our underlying numbers -- say we're more the first-half team than the second-half team, but the winning column doesn't say that, and that's all that matters. So, it's a very fair question," McLellan stated, reflecting on the team's performance.
Team Accountability and Effort
Leadership within the team echoes the sentiment that responsibility for turning the season around lies not only with coaching but also with player performance. Anze Kopitar, one of the team's veterans, emphasizes the importance of players executing on the ice, beyond the game plans provided by the coaching staff.
"I mean, it comes down to this room. They give us a plan, they give us the structure, the motivation or the kick in the [rear end]. It is what it is, but it's about the guys that have to bring it out on the ice and make things happen," Kopitar asserts, highlighting the players' role in the team's success.
Drew Doughty, another key figure on the team, stresses the necessity for a collective effort and a selfless approach to the game. He believes that while individual brilliance can be impactful, consistent success is achieved through teamwork and dedication from every player.
"We feel that every single player on this team needs to give 100-percent effort. And you're not going to have your best stuff every night, but if we all give our 100-percent effort, we're a good enough team," Doughty explains. He further adds, "If we play together, we're going to win games, so you don't need one player to be the best player on the ice every single night. That's not the way we win games. We win games as a play, collectively and playing for the team."
Coaching Perspective
McLellan shoulders his share of the responsibility for the Kings' downturn. His candid reflections reveal a coach committed to finding solutions and sparking a turnaround. He describes various strategies being employed by the coaching staff to motivate and adjust the team dynamics in hopes of recapturing earlier season form.
"I'm responsible for this. And when you looked at the team that played the first, what would we call it, 25, 30 games if you will, it doesn't look like the team that's playing right now. And I'm responsible for it," McLellan admits. He continues, "Our staff is doing what we can or what we believe we can to get them to turn it around. We're trying different things at different times. But I'm going to keep pushing away. I'm going to try and push buttons, poke people, praise people, look at how we do things."
The Kings' recent four-game homestand yielded a record of 1-2-1, adding to the urgency for improvement. With the playoffs looming and the Kings having secured postseason berths in each of the past two seasons, the pressure is on to solidify their standing and prove that their early-season performance was no fluke.
As the Kings embark on their road-heavy stretch, the team's resolve will be tested. With the backing of management, a coach determined to steer the ship back on course, and players aware of their critical roles, the Los Angeles Kings face a pivotal moment in their season. How they respond could define their journey towards the Stanley Cup playoffs and beyond.