3 necessary adjustments the Kings should make after 3 games

The Los Angeles Kings battled two difficult foes on the road from the Western Conference amid a three-game road stretch against three playoff teams this week. On Saturday afternoon, the Kings fell by one goal in a tough contest on the road in Manitoba against the Winnipeg Jets, by a score of 3-2 at Canada Life Centre.

Blue-line and discipline issues have defined the Los Angeles Kings' defensive core early this regular season this past week in the Pacific Division

The third period has been the deciding factor for the Kings in this early-season difficult stretch against postseason teams from the Pacific Division and the Central Division in the West. The Kings were tied going into the final frame in the third period in the past two games this week against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Jets today in Winnipeg.

Head coach Jim Hiller and the Kings had their chances on special teams on the power play today to get the score tied in clutch time late in the third period. But the Kings couldn't crack Connor Hellebuyck with double-digit shots on goal and multiple high-danger scoring chances in the third period today.

The one-goal loss to the Jets today drops the Kings to a record of 1-2 early this regular season this fall. Things don't get much easier from here, as the Kings have another road trip on tap to face the Minnesota Wild early next week on Monday (Oct. 13).

Here are three necessary adjustments Hiller and the Kings must make before the Western Conference road trip closes out this upcoming Monday against the Wild.

Give Kyle Burroughs time at right defense once he returns

The Kings' blue line has left a lot to be desired on the ice in the season's first three games. In the first three games in this past week, the Kings have allowed an average of four goals per game. In clutch time in the third period, the Kings are allowing an average of two goals per game.

After three games, the Kings' defensive pairing of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin has combined to be a -5 on the blue line for their plus/minus rating. Ceci and Dumoulin also have yet to register any points or be on the ice for any goals for the Kings early this regular season.

In the loss this weekend to the Jets on Saturday, the Kings' defensive pairing of Ceci and Dumoulin registered an expected goals against above 0.60 and an expected goals for of 0.03 (per Natural Stat Trick).

Once Kyle Burroughs returns from the upper-body injury from injured reserve in the next couple of weeks, it could be worth a shot to play him more minutes in practice and on-ice stakes with the second and third pairings on the blue line on defense for the Kings this fall.

Burroughs is a right-handed shot and he has multiple years of proven experience playing on the blue line in the Western Conference in the Pacific Division in the past few seasons with the Kings and San Jose Sharks (since the 2023-24 season).

Slide up Brandt Clarke to first line on defense

In the regular season's first three games, defenseman Brandt Clarke has been one of the best players for the Kings on both ends of the ice, including the defensive zone. Clarke has registered a positive or neutral plus/minus in every game this season, at least one scoring chance every game, and he scored the game-tying goal in the Kings' crazy comeback shootout win over Vegas this past Wednesday (Oct. 8).

Clarke's speed, playmaking from the blue line, and natural instincts in the defensive zone and with the puck on his stick in the season's first three games has been nothing short of amazing.

"That’s why he was able to have the speed to carry himself into the offense zone and end up at the back post. He has the green light to do that. That’s an opportunity, when he sees it, he has to go. He gives us that element."

Jim Hiller on Brandt Clarke

After the season's first three games, Clarke ranks third on the team in average time on the ice per game. I think it's not out of the realm of possibility that he starts getting even more minutes on the blue line for Hiller and the Kings with the way he's played lately.

Let Joel Armia prove himself on special teams with more power play minutes and on the third line

You could make a considerable case early this regular season this fall that the Kings' fourth line has been one of the two best forward lines for Hiller and staff through three games. Led by newly-signed forward Joel Armia, the Kings' fourth line has consistently provided the team with energy, spark, and a high-pressure offensive forecheck in the zone.

I don't think the counting stats do a good job of painting the complete picture of how effective Armia has been for Hiller and the Kings' forward lines and on special teams early this regular season.

"He’s been playing really good. We’ve talked about Army now a few nights, and he didn’t score, but extremely dangerous. He had two or three of our best looks on the night, and he’s making good plays. He’s a really, really smart player. "

Jim Hiller on Joel Armia

Per Money Puck, Armia is the Kings' only bottom-six forward who has above 0.6 expected goals early this regular season this fall. Armia almost had his first goal in a Kings uniform in the shootout win over the Golden Knights a few days ago for LA, but it ended up going to fellow fourth-line forward Jeff Malott after it deflected off his body and into the Vegas net.

Through three games, the Kings fourth line forwards leads the team in expected goals for percentage (77.4%), scoring chances for percentage (77.0%), and high-danger scoring chances percentage (88.9%).