It’s LA Kings awards time here at Rink Royalty! Might as well come out swinging and name the team’s MVP first.
The LA Kings finished the 2021 NHL season with a 21-28-7 record, good for 49 points and sixth place in the Honda West Division. The team did not make the playoffs, and yes, there are needs that will hopefully be addressed in the offseason – but there are still reasons for optimism as well.
The Kings were able to integrate young defensemen Mikey Anderson and later Tobias Bjornfot into the lineup. Anderson, in particular, showed he is a legitimate NHL defenseman. He was Drew Doughty‘s partner for most of the season, and even though he struggled at first, he really found his stride by the end of the year.
The NHL playoff format was modified for this season so that the top four teams in each division make the postseason. The LA Kings were not expected to be playoff contenders this season, but they managed to stay in the hunt until the last month of the year. Buoyed by a six-game win streak in February, the team showed flashes that brighter days lie ahead.
So who is the 2021 MVP for the LA Kings? Read on to find out.