It is hard to believe that the 2024-25 season is already essentially a quarter of the way complete. For the Los Angeles Kings it started in Buffalo against the Sabres, a game they won 3-0 thanks to a hat trick by Anze Kopitar, and the 20th game was a home game against the Sabres, one they lost 1-0 on Wednesday night.
While plenty can change over the next 60 games, let's take a look at who are currently leading the Kings in some key stats.
Goals: Adrian Kempe/Alex Laferriere (9)
It is not really surprising to see Adrian Kempe's name here as he has been in the Top 3 in goals scored in each of the past four seasons, including leading the team twice in the category. He is currently on pace to surpass last season's total of 28 and has been on a bit of a hot streak with four goals in the last three games.
Meanwhile, he is currently tied with Alex Laferriere who is trending in the other direction. He began the year on an incredible hot streak with eight goals in the first 12 games but has only one goal in the past eight. He should almost certainly be able to match his goal total from last season of 12 but he is probably going to finish the season between 20-25 goals compared to what he might have done if he continued his hot streak.
Assists: Anze Kopitar (16)
This one should not really be much of a surprise as Anze Kopitar has either led, or been in the Top 3, in this category what has seemingly been every season of his 19 year career with the Kings. What is different this season is the pace at which he currently is doing it and if he continues he would set a career high in the category for him of 64.
That might not be possible but over 50 assists this season seems attainable, and that would be the first time he broke that mark since the 2017-18 season.
Points: Anze Kopitar (21)
When considering Kopitar has five more assists than the next highest player on the Kings, it makes sense for him to lead in points as well. In addition to the 16 assists, Kopitar does have five goals but three of them came in that first game of the season against the Buffalo Sabres.
Kopitar might not be able to keep this pace but if he does, it will be an incredible performance in the latter stages of his career.
Plus/Minus: Vladislav Gavrikov (+12)
Time on Ice: Vladislav Gavrikov (23:15)
Without Drew Doughty to begin the season, the Los Angeles Kings were going to need someone to step up. There wasn't necessarily one person who could replace everything Doughty brings but it has been a team effort. One player though that has stood out is Vladislav Gavrikov, who currently leads the team in plus/minus at +12.
In addition to leading the team in +/-, Gavrikov has also seen a significant uptick in time on ice at 23:15, which leads the Kings among the skaters. This almost a minute higher than his career high, set back in 2021-22 with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and almost three minutes more than last season.
Other Stat Leaders
Shots on Goal: Adrian Kempe (56)
Faceoffs Won: Anze Kopitar (221)
Blocks: Brandt Clarke (44)
Hits: Tanner Jeannot (53)
Save Percentage: Darcy Kuemper (.899)
Goals Against Average: David Rittich (2.37)
*All stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference