Los Angeles Kings: 4 Roadblocks in the Push to the Playoffs

Dec 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) celebrates with left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) after scoring the winning goal in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Staples Center. The Flames defeated the Kings 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Calgary Flames.

That’s right the Calgary Flames.  Calgary is a new team this season.  Led by emerging star “Johnny Hockey” – Johnny Gaudreau.  Gaudreau is second on the team in points with 18 goals and 50 points in 66 games.

Even after losing their top defensemen and captain, Mark Giordano, for the season the Flames have continued to roll along.  Giordano was, and still is currently, third on the team in points with 11 goals and 48 points in 61 games.  It was announced on March 2nd that Giordano would be out for the rest of the season following surgery to repair a completely torn tendon in his biceps.

In four games against the Flames this season the Kings are 1-1-2.  L.A. lost 4-3 in OT on December 22nd.  The Kings were defeated again on December 29th, 2-1.  Calgary was able to win in OT a second time on January 19th, with a 2-1 victory.  On February 12th the Kings got their first victory of the series in a 5-3 victory.

The last meeting between the two teams is April 9th.  It’s the Kings second-last game of the season.  It will be a must-win.

Calgary is currently in 3rd place in the Pacific Division.  One spot ahead of the Kings.  Calgary has 79 points in 67 games with a record of 37-25-5.  The Kings need the Flames to go out, if they want to get in.

March 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski (35) blocks a shot as defenseman Andrei Markov (79) helps defense against Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams (14) and center Jarret Stoll (28) during the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Scoring droughts.

This has been a reoccurring problem all season long.  The Kings cannot fall into a scoring drought now.

L.A. has played well for a majority of the season.  There was that lapse during December that carried into early January, but the Kings have stayed afloat and in the playoff race. Despite the decent play the Kings have had problems scoring all season.  How many games have we seen this year where the Kings out-shoot their opponents but lose the game?

Currently the Kings rank 9th in the NHL in shots per game with 30.9.  Despite the high number of shots on goal L.A. ranks 18 in the NHL in goals per game with 2.70.  That’s a big disparity.

To compare with the teams directly in front of the Kings in shots per game: the San Jose Sharks (8th) average 31.0 shots per game and score 2.78 goals per game, good enough for 15th in the NHL.  The Pittsburgh Penguins (9th) average 30.9 shots a game, tying the Kings; yet the Penguins score 2.82 goals per game, putting them in 11th in the NHL.

The Kings started to shed the shell in February.  It’s carried into March.  In 5 games in March the Kings have averaged 3.1 goals per game.  A significant increase.

L.A. needs to keep putting the puck in the net and beating goaltenders.  Their playoff berth depends on it.

Mar 10, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Andrej Sekera (7) attempts a slap shot in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Uncertainty on defense.

Defense has been another problem for the Kings all season long.  With the loss of Slava Voynov and extended injuries to Alec Martinez and Robyn Regehr, the defensive lineup has been a carousel.

As part of a resolution the Kings brought in defensemen Andrej Sekera in a trade that came a week before the deadline. Sekera is and will take time to get used to the Kings system as well as the style of play in the Western Conference.

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Sekera’s been decent thus far, but hasn’t seen significant ice time.  Sekera’s average 18:43 minutes of ice-time per game with the Kings.  That puts him ahead of Matt Greene, Jamie McBain and Brayden McNabb. Sekera has 1 assist and 1 point in 6 games with the Kings.  Gaining his legs with the team will take time but the team and General Manager Dean Lombardi believe he’s up to the task.

McNabb has come into his one since the start of March.  McNabb has 1 goal and 21 points with a +7 plus/minus in 60 games this season.  In his last 5 games McNabb has 3 assists.

L.A. has been known for their dominating defense for the last 4-5 years.  It’s what’s made them so formidable.  It’s what made them champions.

The defense is getting better and shoring up some of their problems, but are they up to the task of a playoff push and then a long Cup run through the Western Conference?

Jan 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) and Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane (9) battle on the ice in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries.

Injuries are a concern for any team.  It’s a concern for the Kings because they have spread themselves thin. Considering all the problems mentioned above, and the way the team is structured every player wearing the black and silver is vital.

Two key pieces are already missing: Alec Martinez and Tanner Pearson.

Pearson is still considered a rookie, and remains the Kings 6th leading scorer with 12 goals on the season.  Pearson has played in 42 games and has been out since January 10th with a broken ankle.

Martinez is battling concussion symptoms.  Martinez is 4th in points among L.A.’s defensemen with 5 goals and 17 points, including a +7 rating and 1 power-play goal, in 45 games.

Both players are attempting to return to the ice.

The Kings can’t suffer anymore injuries.  It’s that time of year, that everyone is going to be playing with a few bumps, lumps, and bruises.

Mar 10, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; A Los Angeles Kings fan reacts to a score in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The  Kings have been in this situation before, how will they do now?

Only time will tell.

After the Kings first game in March, a 5-2 loss to Winnipeg, RinkRoyalty estimated it would take 13 wins out of the Kings remaining 20 games to get to the playoffs.  L.A. needs at least 96 point if they want to get to the post season.

Since that point in time L.A. has gone 4-0-1.

The Kings currently sit in 4th in the Pacific Division and 9th in the Western Conference.  L.A. has 77 points in 66 games.

All we can do is believe in the Kings management, coaching and players.

Go Kings Go!

Next: Is The Kings Defense In Stanley Cup Mode Yet?

Mar 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter reacts against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Staples Center. The Penguins defeated the Kings 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports