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Monday Knight Preview: Who Are the Kings?

March 29, 2021, 3:11 PM ET [0 Comments]
Jeff Paul
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


Who are the Los Angeles Kings? If this question were asked in the off-season, there’d be one answer. If asked in the exhibition games, there’d be another. Now, halfway through the season, yep there’d be yet another answer to that question. After everything that has transpired, there should be a general consensus on this club, no?

Wrong! To this day, it’s hard to forecast the Los Angeles Kings. Are they getting younger and faster? Yes. Do they still rely a little too heavily on “grizzled” veterans? Yes. Are they a “great” team on paper? No. Do they have a shot at the playoffs? .....yes?

“Streaky is the only word that comes to mind. Two steps forward, three steps back. Six game winning streak, followed by a four game losing streak. They lack consistency from game to game.”

- Robyn P, Jewels From the Crown



Anze Kopitar is still one of the best players in the NHL. He pops off the screen when watching a Kings game. While he’s not at the MVP-caliber level of old, he’s a key piece and the captain of this hopeful club.

Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter, and Jonathan Quick also serve roles as wily veterans still producing for this franchise. That group experienced quite the run in the early 2010s and are counted on to ease the rebuild transition. Brown has had quite the season thus far, with a team leading 14 goals on the year. He finished the 2019-20 season with 17.

Even Kings fans have been critical of the aging core group and their Stanley Cup winning goaltender Quick. He went through some struggles the past few seasons, but has been a good compliment to Cal Petersen this season. That tandem is part of the reason the Kings find themselves in contention for the last Honda West Division playoff spot.

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USA Today Sports

Peterson and Quick have a combined 12-13-6 record, 2.72 GAA, and .911 SV%. Not a terribly exciting line, but one that is decent enough to win games and help get a team with enough talent to the playoffs in the new format.

“...two great goaltenders which gives you a chance every night and they have a really good power play.”

“It’s a good hockey team and well coached and it’s gonna be a good test for us.”

- Pete DeBoer on the LA Kings



Tonight’s Storylines


Kings PP vs Golden Knights PK:



Both units are very strong. Ideally, the Golden Knights will stay out of the penalty box and impose their will on the undermanned Kings. In the event they frequent the naughty chair, they feel that they can rely on their PK unit (84.3%, 6th NHL).

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USA Today Sports

Young players like Nic Hague and Zach Whitecloud have been huge for the Vegas PK. Led by Shea Theodore and former King Alec Martinez, the PK group has been a slot-blocking brigade and make the safe play nine times out of ten. When all else failed, Marc-Andre Fleury has been rejuvenated and carried them through mediocre PK shifts as needed.

Kings PK vs Golden Knights PP:



Here’s where the real difference could be made, especially in terms of momentum swings. It’s no secret that the Golden Knights want and need more when they’re on the man advantage. A meager success rate of 19.2% is frankly not good enough for a team of their caliber.

The visiting Kings are one of the five teams better than Vegas while down a player. They sit in third place in the NHL with a pristine 85.9% kill rate. Players like Alex Tuch will be invaluable for Vegas on the PP, by making things tough on the LA netminders with strong net front presence.

Despite their PP issues, the Golden Knights find themselves in sole possession of first place in the West. They’re bound to have some serious momentum, fresh off a Saturday afternoon overtime win against the ever-dangerous Colorado Avalanche.

Historically the Kings have had success against the Golden Knights and both teams are only getting better. This is another matchup that could come down to the goaltending and who is sharpest in net. But as our friend in LA shared, this is an inconsistent team with numerous holes from night to night.

“It’s hard to say what plagues this team. It doesn’t seem to be one (specific) thing or another, it’s death by a thousand cuts.”

- Robyn P, Jewels From the Crown



Tonight’s opening face-off is scheduled for 7pm inside the electrified T-Mobile Arena. With fan attendance increases, it’s becoming harder and harder for teams traveling to Vegas hoping for a win. A Vegas Golden Knights team in the playoffs with a true home ice advantage is a scary proposition and they’ll be a tough go for any team, Colorado included.

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