LA Kings: Three most impressive players thus far in 2021 season
The new season is just a couple of games, and yes, they are still without a win, but the LA Kings nonetheless have some things to look forward to.
Here are the three players that have been most impressive for the Kings thus far.
Jonathan Quick
On paper, his numbers don’t look impressive.
As of Sunday afternoon, his 3.73 goals-against average and .887 save percentage are good enough for 31st- and 32nd-overall, respectively. Still, Jonathan Quick has made a plethora of clutch saves that not only kept the Kings competitive in their first two games but helped them earn a couple of regulation points against a tough Minnesota Wild squad.
There have moments where the 2012 Conn Smythe winner has shown his age, but overall, Quick has proven that the Kings’ starting job is still his, and whoever does take it from him will have to earn it with flying colors.
A bigger test awaits Quick and the Kings when they host the red-hot Colorado Avalanche next, so we’ll see what’s in store next.
Jeff Carter
Having celebrated his 36th birthday on New Year’s Day, skeptics will quickly suggest that Jeff Carter is past his prime. Of course, while he is a year older, the former Soo Greyhound can still be an integral factor in the success of a rebuilding LA Kings squad.
While his leadership qualities are impressive in themselves, it has been Carter’s hustle — as well as chemistry with a new linemate — that help No. 77 stand out for the silver-and-black so far.
After scoring his first goal of the season in the dying seconds of the first period on Thursday, Carter followed that up by adding three assists to his totals. While he may be 36, Carter has certainly had his moments where he looks more like 26.
It’s much too early to talk about scoring titles, but Jeff Carter nonetheless shares the team lead in points with four. We’ll see if Carter can continue this success, but it’s so far, so good for the two-time Stanley Cup winner.
A big reason for Carter’s success thus far, though, can certainly be credited to his aforementioned new linemate.
And the name of Carter’s new linemate?
Being so early in the season, you will not be hard-pressed to find Kings fans who are still having difficulty pronouncing his name correctly. However, if his first two games with the silver-and-black are any indications, fans won’t have any issues learning how to pronounce his name.
If anyone is to be faulted for the LA Kings’ back-to-back losses, you can forget about Athanasiou.
“Greece Lightning” has scored two goals so far this season — thanks to great set-ups by the aforementioned Jeff Carter. But, it’s not just Athanasiou’s goal-scoring abilities that are impressive.
Having known to be a bigger team that lacked speed for many years, Athanasiou is a breath of fresh air due to his blazing speed. Even if the youngster doesn’t have the puck, it’s at least entertaining watching the former Detroit Red Wing get from Point A to Point B without as much as breaking a sweat.
After just two games, let us not put the cart before the horse and suggest that Athanasiou will be one of the Kings’ all-time greats. Still, it is enticing to think what more “Greece Lightning” can do for the silver-and-black.
Overall, not bad for a late offseason free-agent signing.