Concern: Power Play Production
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings not only saw Quinton Byfield end a scoreless streak but he did it on the power play, which was another reason for a sigh of relief. The power play has been basically non-existent for a majority of the season but particularly as of late.
Entering the game against the Kraken, the Los Angeles Kings had only converted one of their last 12 power play opportunities. On the season, the Kings currently rank 28th in the NHL with a power play percentage of only 15.6%.
Jim Hiller has been trying to find a winning formula and hasn't been running the same two power play units out there every game. Recently, they elected to go with a five forward unit that included Byfield, Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, Alex Laferriere, and Kevin Fiala.
It did work on Saturday as they were able to get a goal but it has also severely impacted the second unit of Warren Foegele, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Morre, Phillip Danault, and Brandt Clarke. The eventual return of Drew Doughty will be a huge boost but with him still probably two months away, they need more answers in the interim.