The LA Kings didn't get the outcome they wanted this season after another first round exit thanks to the Edmonton Oilers. This team certainly was talented enough to beat the Oilers and even had home ice advantage to get it done.
However, a lack of playoff experience or rather the lack of winning playoff experience seemed to play a big role in how this series went. The Kings had a 2-0 lead to open the series and even had leads in the third period of Game 3 and Game 4 that if one of those leads held it probably would have been a very different story.
What makes it even more frustrating is that the Kings made a real push to add a player that would have addressed this need and if the trade was able to get done, this Kings team could still be playing hockey.
LA Kings tried to trade for Brad Marchand prior to the NHL Trade Deadline
Shortly after the news broke about Rob Blake not returning, Elliotte Friedman said on his podcast "32 Thoughts" that the LA Kings were one of the teams that tried to trade with the Boston Bruins for Brad Marchand. He ultimately would get traded to the Florida Panthers for a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and that has worked out for the Panthers as they are still in the playoffs.
While Marchand is not as productive as he was earlier in his career, he still could have had an impact on the ice. However, where the difference would have been might have been in the locker room as he is a former Stanley Cup Champion and has made numerous deep runs in the playoffs with the Bruins.
What is also interesting is that Marchand could still end up with the Los Angeles Kings as he is set to be a free agent this summer. That is something that only time will tell and it will be up to the new general manager, whoever that might be.