A Look at the Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division After Two Weeks

Oct 19, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) chases the puck against St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) during the game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

1st  – Anaheim Ducks – 10 points

The Anaheim Ducks are currently in first place with 10 points in 6 games, for a record of 5-1-0.  The Ducks are currently on a five game winning streak, after losing their season opener to the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-4.  Stellar goaltending by Frederik Andersen, supported by strong play by Ducks stars Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and new addition Ryan Kesler have put them in first place.

After four games on the road, the Ducks have won their last two at home in Anaheim’s Honda Center Arena.  The Ducks have yet to play a Pacific Division opponent.

Oct 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) and St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) face off in the second period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2nd  – Los Angeles Kings – 9 points

The Los Angeles Kings currently find themselves in second place in the Pacific with a record of 4-1-1 in 6 games.  The Kings are currently second overall in the Western Conference as well, tie in points with the San Jose Sharks at 9.  L.A. opened the season at home with an impressive banner raising and unimpressive play against the Sharks, being shutout 4-0.  After that first game the Kings have taken a point out of every other opponent.

Jonathan Quick has been amazing in net, racing to the front of the pack for Vezina Trophy honors.  That 70’s Line of Tanner Pearson, Jeff Carter, and Tyler Toffoli have been impressive as well scoring 11 of the Kings 14 goals.

The Kings started their first two games, and already have three under their belt, against Pacific Division opponents, going 1-1-1.  Currently riding a four game win streak the Kings look to keep the momentum going in the next six games; all of which are against Eastern Conference opponents.  But if the Kings want to remain on top they will need to get more wins out of the Pacific.

Oct 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tommy Wingels (57) moves the puck defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene (2) during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

3rd  – San Jose Sharks – 9 points

The San Jose Sharks have shaken off last season’s foibles, and are off and running to solidify a spot in the post-season.  The Sharks are 4-2-1 in 7 games, beating the rival Kings in Los Angeles to open the season.  Led by old faithful, Patrick Marleau, who leads the team with 4 goals and 7 points, the Sharks have themselves in good position.

Tonight’s game in Boston wrapped up a five game road trip of the East, during which the Sharks have gone 2-2-1, winning in one shootout against the Washington Capitals and losing another against the New York Islanders.

The Kings will face their Pacific Division foes four more times including the Stadium Series Outdoor Game and the final game of the season for both teams, which is sure to have playoff implications.

Oct 17, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Mason Raymond (21) scores a goal past Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

4th  – Calgary Flames – 8 points

The Calgary Flames have been a surprise to start the 2014-2015 season.  In the middle of a self-proclamined rebuild the Flames have turned heads going 4-3-0 in their first 7 games, with 19 Goals For.

The Flames have been led by new acquisition Mason Raymond, who signed as a free agent this past offseason after a big year with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Raymond leads the Flames with 5 goals and 7 points in 7 games.  The other Flame with 7 points in 7 games is T.J. Brodie, who was in the news recently for signing a contract extension with the Flames for five years and $23.25 million.  So much for the rebuild.

The Flames are 1-1-0 in games against Pacific Division teams.  Calgary won’t be a roll-over for the Kings this year.

Oct 17, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) is congratulated by left wing Daniel Sedin (22) and center Henrik Sedin (33) during the second period of the game at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Steve Alkok-USA TODAY Sports

5th  – Vancouver Canucks – 6 points

The Vancouver Canucks are only 4 games into the 2014-2015 season.  Starting off with a slower schedule hasn’t slowed the team from jelling together.  The Canucks are 3-1-0 in their first four, and 3 of those games were against Pacific Division rivals.  The Canucks have dominated the Pacific going 3-0-0, winning games against the Arizona Coyotes and twice against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Canucks took a chance on goaltender Ryan Miller, signing him in the offseason after a poor playoff performance and a falling out with the St. Louis Blues.  Miller has played well for Vancouver, with 3 wins, a 1.95 goal against average, and .927 save percentage.

Career Canucks the Sedin twins are again the point leaders for Vancouver.  Daniel has 7 points, Henrik has 6 . . . in 4 games.  Pretty good eh?  Radim Vrbata was another free-agent signing that has worked out for the Canucks in this early season.  Vrbata leads the team with 3 goals.

It will be tough for the Canucks to move up in such a competative division, but the Kings will have a challenge when the face Vancouver, who seems to have straightened out their goaltending and coaching situations.  At least for the forseeable future.

Oct 15, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) scores an empty net goal for a hat trick during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

6th  – Arizona Coyotes – 4 points

The Arizona Coyotes have started the season 2-2-0 in their first 4 games.  In the Kings second game of the season the Coyotes were able to get the win on home ice, with an overtime goal by defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Good news for the Coyotes, they are 2-0-0 against division opponents.  They usually are on the cusp of playoffs, and once in a while manage to sneak in.  It’s going to take a lot more effort to sneak in this year.

Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith has had some struggles to start this season, so goaltending is a question that needs to be answered or addressed.  Smith has allowed 16 goals against, going 1-2 in his 3 games, posting a .822 save percentage, and an absurd 5.33 goals against average.

Mikkel Boedker leads the team with 4 goals and 6 points in 4 games.  Old faithful and career Coyote, Shane Doan is tied for second with another old faithful and career coyote Keith Yandle; each with 4 assists and 4 points.

The Coyotes can be a good team, but their lack of solid goaltending and consistency cause them headaches.  It will be difficult for them to get into the top four in the Pacific Division, though they could cause some of the upper eschalon teams, like the L.A. Kings, trouble.

Oct 20, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov (10) skates behind Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brenden Morrow (10) during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz- USA TODAY Sports

7th  – Edmonton Oilers – 3 points

At the bottom of the Pacific Division is the Edmonton Oilers.  Edmonton has been cursed the last few years.  Despite tons of offensive talent, that includes seven consecutive first round draft picks in the top 10.  Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Nail Yakupov were three consecutive first overall picks from 2010-2012.  Yet Edmonton can’t seem to get it together.  Perhaps it’s like Babe Ruth’s curse, because they traded the greatest player to ever play the game . . . to Los Angeles.  His name, is Wayne Gretzky.

The Oilers are 1-4-1 in 6 games.  The Oilers first win came against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The other five games were against Pacific Division teams.  Fugture division games for the Oilers?  Outlook not good.

The Oilers have had problems with goaltending and defense for some time, which is a problem in the Western Conference, especially the Pacific Division.  Taylor Hall is the leader of the bunch, staying positive.  Literally.  Hall is only one of two Oilers players with a positive plus/minues.  Hall leads the team with both 4 goals and 6 points in 6 games.

The Kings have faced already faced the Oilers once this season and it wasn’t pretty for Edmonton.  It doesn’t look like it will be until the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.