Analyzing LA Kings Potential Stanley Cup Playoffs Opponents
Edmonton Oilers
As mentioned, these two teams met in the 2022 playoffs, with the Oilers coming out on top. Thus far, the Kings have secured wins in both head-to-head matchups this year, 3-1 and 6-3, holding McDavid to a single goal and a minus-two rating.
Interestingly, these teams will meet two more times, on Mar. 30 and Apr. 4, which means a critical four points are up for grabs during these contests. Ultimately, the winners of these two games could secure home-ice advantage in the event the two collide in the opening round.
Last year, the Kings had to play game seven on the road, so finishing ahead of the Oilers in the standings would guarantee more contests at Crypto.com Arena. Even if these two powerhouses avoid each other to open up the playoffs, should both clubs advance, they would most likely meet in the second round with a chance to play in the final four on the line.
Seattle Kraken
One of the most exciting storylines of the 2022-23 season has been the success of the second-year expansion team, the Seattle Kraken. During their inaugural campaign, they finished with the third-worst record at 27-49-6 and 60 points.
Surprisingly, the Kraken has been in contention for a top spot in the division and conference, thanks in part to an epic eight-game win streak in January, which included a shutout victory over the league’s best team, the Boston Bruins.
Even though the team has had its fair share of injuries, peaks, and valleys during the year, they only recently fell out of the third seed in the division. Despite trailing the Oilers by a single point, the two teams will meet again in what will become a critical game for all Pacific Division teams.
Ultimately, the Kings should hope to avoid any playoff matchups with the upstart Kraken this year since the new club has gone a perfect 3-0 against their California rivals, including back-to-back overtime wins. Moreover, their last meeting on Nov. 29, 2022, was a 9-8 slobber knocker, with the Kraken winning just 2:08 into the extra period.
Moreover, the game was the best and worse for the Kings, resulting in the most goals scored and allowed in a single game this year. Even though these two teams will meet one final time on Apr. 1, it appears the Kraken has the Kings’ number this year and would be a team to avoid in the postseason.
Vegas Golden Knights
When the Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017, they became instant rivals with the Kings since the franchises are just 270 miles apart, and the fact that Vegas swept LA in their first-ever postseason meeting.
Interestingly, the rivalry never had a definitive moment that altered how each team felt about the other until the most recent NHL trade deadline when Kings icon Jonathan Quick put on a Golden Knights jersey.
Conversely, Quick is a 37-year-old netminder whose best days are behind him, so Kings management made a gut-wrenching decision to upgrade the position and traded him to Columbus. Even with subpar numbers, Quick still secured 11 wins for the Kings, who wouldn’t be a point out of first place without his contributions.
Now that the trade has divided the Kings’ fan base, many in the hockey community would love to see a Vegas and Los Angeles playoff matchup so that Quick has a chance to stick it to the franchise that disregarded him after many years of service.
Outside of the Dallas Stars, who currently lead the Central Division with 87 points, the top two teams in the conference are the Golden Knights and Kings, which sets the stage for an eventful first-round or even second-round matchup.
Currently, both teams have different lineups since the last meeting on Jan. 7, 2023, in which the Kings won handly 5-1, taking the lead in the season series 2-1 through three games. Even though their next matchup is three weeks away, that contest will be one of the final games of the regular season, which will significantly impact playoff seeding and opening-round matchups.
Wild Card Teams
If the Kings secure the top spot in the Western Conference, they will face off against the second-best wildcard team, the Winnipeg Jets. Right now, they have 79 points, five points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the third seed in the Central Division.
Even though the season is far from over, the Jets have a comfortable three-point lead over the Calgary Flames, who were Pacific Division champions last year.
Interestingly, the Kings have had mixed results with both potential wild card opponents, going 1-1 against each club this season. Surprisingly, the games with the Flames and Jets have all been high-scoring affairs, 6-5, 4-3, 6-4, and 6-5, with extra time needed in two of the contests.
Moreover, the Kings will face off against the Flames twice in eight days, with matchups on Monday, March 20th and 28th, and one showdown with the Jets on Mar. 25. Furthermore, these games will not significantly impact the Kings’ ability to secure a playoff spot; they could alter the seedings with six points up for grabs.
Although the NHL is competitive, and there are no easy nights, facing off against the Jets or the Flames, who have had their fair share of struggles this year, would be one of the least intimidating matchups the Kings could hope for in the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.