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What The LA Kings Opening Night Roster Could Look Like

By Vincent D'Angelo

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Fans head to the entrance for opening night of the Los Angeles Kings 2017-2018 season against the Philadelphia Flyers at Staples Center on October 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Fans head to the entrance for opening night of the Los Angeles Kings 2017-2018 season against the Philadelphia Flyers at Staples Center on October 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 21: Ilya Kovalchuk #71 of Olympic Athlete from Russia looks on prior to the Men’s Play-offs Quarterfinals against Norway on day twelve of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 21, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 21: Ilya Kovalchuk #71 of Olympic Athlete from Russia looks on prior to the Men’s Play-offs Quarterfinals against Norway on day twelve of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 21, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

LA Kings PP1:

17-18 Carter Kopitar Toffoli
Doughty Martinez
18-19 Carter Kopitar Toffoli
Kovalchuk Doughty

A lot of people have Kovalchuk slotted in the LW spot for the PP1 I have him on the back end for this reason that people aren’t really considering. The LA Kings tend to run an umbrella power play.

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This means that Doughty, who quarterbacks the first Power Play unit, will be on the blueline in between where two defensemen would usually place themselves in 5-on-5 offensive play on the points.

Next, at the tops of each of the circles would stand the other defenseman, Kovalchuk in this instance, and Kopitar his opposite. Both Kovi and Kopi will be in positions to take one-timers and distanced shots.

In the slot and in front of the crease could be interchangeable due to Toffoli and Carter being able to play either position both are right-hand shots who can pick the corners.

Whichever one plays in front of the crease also has an option to sneak off behind an opposing defenseman and open themselves up for a tap-in should a passing lane open up.

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