Los Angeles Kings: Predictions for the Pacific Division

I feel as if this following prediction is very similar to what you might expect the median hockey analyst to come up with. As much as I wanted to do something unexpected, I couldn’t convince the reasonable part of myself to do it. It is just too difficult to fathom the Flames taking the division or McDavid suddenly catapulting the Oilers into the playoffs. So, here are my predictions for the Pacific Division. Expect the expected.

1) Ducks

This was a hard one, because as much as I wanted to put the Kings ahead of the Ducks, I just don’t believe it’ll happen. They’ve improved with the addition of Hagelin and Maclean as a new assistant. And the young defense should only be better this year, even without Beauchemin. However, Kings fans shouldn’t fret as recent playoff history is in their favor. That is, as long as the Kings can actually make the playoffs.

As balanced as the Ducks are, they seem to lack the ability to close out a series against a quality opponent. In their last three playoff runs, they have only managed to beat the Stars, Jets, and Flames – none of which were ever seen as a serious threat to win the Stanley Cup. When it comes to playing an evenly matched contender, the Ducks just can’t get it done. The Hockey Gods seem to bestow all the karma owed to Corey Perry during every game 7 as payback for all of his childish antics.

As much as I’d like to think there is some sort of supernatural judicial force acting against the Corey Perrys of the league, it really just looks like Perry doesn’t have the extra drive to win the big games. And as long as your best players don’t have that fire in them, this teams Pacific Division Championships won’t ever turn into the championship that actually matters.

2) Kings

The Los Angeles Kings will be playing with some added motivation this year. And, equally as important, some extra rest. The loss of Williams stings, especially with how reasonable his cap hit is in Washington. However, this loss should be more than offset by Lucic. I have been salivating in anticipation of seeing the damage a Lucic-Kopitar-Gaborik line can cause. Kopitar has never had this much talent on his wings, expect a big year from him as he plays for a big contract. Hopefully my salivation is satiated. With the absurd number of off-ice distractions now behind them, I think this team will get back to doing what it does best: Grinding its opponents down shift by shift and beating them with superior size and talent.

3) Flames

Expect regression. The Flames shooting percentage of 10.52% should retreat towards the mean. And there is some uncertainty in goal, albeit not a lack of talent. However, the Flames won’t experience the same type of regression as the 2013-2014 Avalanche experienced. That Avalanche team was not nearly as balanced.

That inexplicable steal of a trade that landed them Dougie Hamilton now has them boasting (arguably) the best top-six in the league on defense. The forwards shouldn’t put up the same type of numbers as last year, but only because they won’t be as lucky. Expect that lack of luck to be somewhat offset by an increase in the skill-level of their young, talented players as they continue to develop.

4) Sharks

Martin Jones is good, but hasn’t played enough games at the NHL level to really project how he will do as a starter for the whole season. This should be the last season with Thornton and Marleau leading the charge, and with good reason as they have yet to inspire real confidence after a decade (Seriously, an entire decade) of playoff disappointments – culminating in the miraculous loss of a 3-game lead against the Kings in 2014. These two have proven they can’t be the ones leading. Expect them to solidify this notion with further proof this year which should lead to ownership taking further measures to bestow leadership upon the new generation headed by Couture and Hertl.

5) Oilers

The Oilers might actually break out a bit this year. All of those #1 picks may finally do some good for them. The addition of Sekera is good. As much as I like the Talbot pick up, it is difficult to project how Talbot will be in goal going from one of the best defensive teams in the league to one of the worst. That usually doesn’t bode well for goaltenders (See Scrivens or Bernier). McDavid is going to be good, really good. But this team has a long way to go to be a contender. Developing some sort of effective defensive system would be a good first step.

6) Canucks

They were lucky to make the playoffs last year, don’t expect it again. The Sedins aren’t getting any better. Ryan Miller isn’t the same goaltender he was, yet, even if he was, the defense in front of him isn’t enough for them to be a serious contender, even if Ryan Miller somehow channels his 2009-10 version of himself . I think I’ve covered the whole team…. The Sedins and Miller.

7) Coyotes

Hopefully this team can find a home somewhere where the city officials actually want them there.

Next: Los Angeles Kings: Filling the 3rd Line Center Role

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