Grading Los Angeles Kings offense through first five games of 2024-25

The Los Angeles Kings have completed five games of the 2024-25 season and they entered the season with higher expectations for an improved offense. The Kings were planning to move from the 1-3-1, which they have operated in the past few seasons, to a more open formation of 1-2-2.

The early returns have been positive this season as they rank higher in the NHL in goals per game, assists, and shot percentage. This season they are averaging 3.40 goals per game, which ranks 11th in the NHL, compared to 3.10 goals per game last season, where they ranked 16th.

They also have seen an improvement in assists as they are currently 10th in the NHL compared to 16th last season. The biggest jump has been in shot percentage as it went from 9.7% last season, which was 21st in the NHL, to 11.4% this season, ranking 11th.

The Kings have done a good job moving the puck around when on offense and getting everyone involved as they already have 10 different players score a goal through five games. They also have three players already with three goals a piece in Anze Kopitar, Kevin Fiala, and Alex Laferriere.

Grade for the Los Angeles Kings through five games: B+

The Kings have looked much better in the offensive zone this season and this has been without players like Quinton Byfield really making much of an impact. Entering this season, Byfield had very high expectations after coming off a 20-goal season and moving back to center.

However, Jim Hiller has already started shuffling some of the lines around and moved Byfield back to wing on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. It is hard to impact that will be a permanent shift and hopefully Byfield gets back to playing center sooner rather than later.

That is where he can make the biggest impact for this offense and really help them get closer to being a Top 10 offense.