A Troubling Slide
The Los Angeles Kings, once formidable contenders in the NHL, find themselves in a precarious position after a series of disappointing performances. The team has suffered through a rough patch, losing 12 of their last 14 games, casting doubts on their ability to maintain playoff viability.
Despite the recent slump, the Kings are still clinging to a playoff lifeline. They currently sit fourth in the Pacific Division and occupy the first wild card spot from the Western Conference. However, the road ahead is daunting, with seven of their next eight games taking place away from the comforts of home ice—a test of resilience for any squad.
Coaching Under Scrutiny
At the helm, Head Coach Todd McLellan is navigating his fifth season with the Kings. McLellan, who has recently secured a contract extension that will see him behind the bench through the 2024-25 season, finds himself under increasing pressure as he grapples with turning the team's fortunes around.
General Manager Rob Blake has expressed unwavering support for McLellan, despite the Kings' struggles. This endorsement comes at a crucial time as the team seeks to recalibrate and return to the form that saw them reach the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.
McLellan himself acknowledges the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. "I'm responsible for this," he admitted, reflecting on the stark contrast between the team's strong start and its current predicament. "And when you looked at the team that played the first, what would we call it, 25, 30 games if you will, it doesn't look like the team that's playing right now. And I'm responsible for it."
The coach remains proactive in his approach, seeking various strategies to inspire a turnaround. "Our staff is doing what we can or what we believe we can to get them to turn it around. We're trying different things at different times. But I'm going to keep pushing away. I'm going to try and push buttons, poke people, praise people, look at how we do things," McLellan stated, emphasizing his commitment to the team's success.
Player Perspectives
Team captain Anze Kopitar and star defenseman Drew Doughty have voiced their thoughts on the team's performance, highlighting the importance of player accountability and collective effort.
Kopitar underscored the role of the players in executing the game plan. "I mean, it comes down to this room. They give us a plan, they give us the structure, the motivation or the kick in the [rear end]. It is what it is, but it's about the guys that have to bring it out on the ice and make things happen," he said, pointing out that while coaching is critical, the onus ultimately falls on the players to deliver results.
Doughty echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for every member of the team to contribute fully. "We feel that every single player on this team needs to give 100-percent effort. And you're not going to have your best stuff every night, but if we all give our 100-percent effort, we're a good enough team," he remarked. He further elaborated on the Kings' philosophy of unity and selflessness: "If we play together, we're going to win games, so you don't need one player to be the best player on the ice every single night. That's not the way we win games. We win games as a play, collectively and playing for the team."
Statistical Discrepancies
Despite the dismal run of results, there is a glimmer of hope found within the team's underlying numbers. These statistics suggest that the Kings should be performing better than their record indicates. "Our numbers -- our underlying numbers -- say we're more the first-half team than the second-half team, but the winning column doesn't say that, and that's all that matters. So, it's a very fair question," McLellan conceded, acknowledging the gap between the team's potential and actual outcomes.
As the Kings embark on their challenging road trip, having gone 1-2-1 on their recent four-game homestand, the organization and its fans are left to ponder whether the team can rediscover its early-season form in time to secure a postseason berth. With the clock ticking on the regular season, the Kings must quickly find solutions to their on-ice woes or risk being dethroned from their playoff aspirations.