LA Kings: Three ways team can exceed 2021 projected points
The LA Kings 2021 projected points suggest another top-five lottery pick. Here are three things that need to happen to avoid that.
Ask any of the five veteran players on the LA Kings roster, and they’ll tell you that playoffs are a realistic expectation in the upcoming season. Goalie Jonathan Quick was quick to respond to the question saying, “I find it a little weird that you’re asking me that.”
Quick turns 35 at the end of the month, but the two-time Stanley Cup winner recovered well after a difficult October last season. With Jack Campbell traded, budding superstar Cal Petersen is pushing Quick for more playing time. What kind of split between the tandem remains to be seen in 2021, but Quick is out to prove he still has what it takes to help lead the LA Kings back to the playoffs.
Most of the national media is not projecting Los Angeles to see the playoffs. In fact, most view them as a bottom feeder – a lock for another top-five lottery pick. BetOnline recently projected the over/under for the LA Kings point total in the 56-game slate, right at 52.5.
Broken down into a season’s record, the Kings would finish approximately 23-27-6, or some equivalent.
Projected NHL Point totals (over/under) ranked highest to lowest courtesy of BetOnline: pic.twitter.com/MwhuoDCsfc
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 4, 2021
If these three things happen, the LA Kings will not only exceed their projected point total, but they very well find themselves in the playoff conversation.
1. LA Kings get a bounceback year from Drew Doughty
Drew Doughty recently turned 31 and said he’s taken criticism towards his game personally. He specially stated that media outlets such as TSN no longer view him as a top defenseman, even going as far as saying he will not make the Canadian Olympic team. The LA Kings targeted a left-shot defenseman in the offseason, acquiring Olli Maatta to give Doughty a legitimate pairing partner.
The former Norris Trophy winner indicated his recent partners have all been on the younger side, with his last veteran partner being Rob Scuderi. All the early reports on Maatta have been positive in training camp, so Doughty should be in a favorable position to return to a prorated 60-point producer.
2. LA Kings have a young player make a significant leap in production
The LA Kings are in the midst of a youth movement with a few key veterans left from their Stanley Cup runs. Several new faces will be cracking the lineup as everyday players, and the team will need a young – or a couple of younger – player to take the next step in 2021. Blake Lizotte surprised a lot of folks last year, cracking the Opening Night roster and finished with six goals and 17 assists in 65 games.
Twitter reacts to Arthur Kaliyev’s game-winning goal. light. Trending
He’ll be linemates with Jeff Carter this season, and the duo combined for a 59.7 expected-goals-for percentage last season. Lizotte’s speed and stick handling skills make him an intriguing asset, one that could potentially eclipse the 30-point total from the third line, again, prorated because of the shortened schedule. Other guys that could step up include Gabe Vilardi, Samuel Fagemo, Lias Andersson, and Carl Grundstrom. The LA Kings bottom-six forwards will have a big say in whether the team exceeds their projected totals.
3. Alex Iafallo avoids regression year for the LA Kings
Alex Iafallo had a career-year in the 19-20 season, scoring 17 goals and 43 points in 70 games. He’s played alongside Anze Kopitar for a few years now, and Iafallo recently indicated he’s learned so much from the LA Kings’ captain.
“You know, just learn a lot from him, obviously, over the years, and, you know, he’s very consistent in all three zones. So, you know, just simple things like always coming back to the puck. He’s always communicating. And he’s always in the right spot, whether it’s, you know, breakouts or just defending.”
Iafallo might be the biggest wildcard on the team’s top-six forwards, given he may have already reached his ceiling. The question now becomes will he regress? If so, the LA Kings top line will suffer. If he produces another prorated 43-point season, the team should be in excellent shape. Iafallo will also be the beneficiary of a well-deserved contract extension as he hits unrestricted free agency after the 2021 season.
Here is the complete 56-game schedule with game times as well.