As the Los Angeles Kings embark on a challenging five-game road trip across the East Coast over the next ten days, it presents a fitting moment to reflect on the team’s performance in the opening month of the regular NHL season.
Following a productive last road trip where the Kings secured four wins out of five and earned nine out of a possible ten points, there was hope that the momentum would carry over into their home schedule. However, the Kings faced difficulties, managing just one win in their last four games, culminating in a disappointing record of 1-2-1, during which they were outscored 13-9.
While there were positive developments, including a noteworthy drop in penalties taken—none in the game against New Jersey—and a successful penalty kill that went 7-for-7 over three games, the Kings’ offense has struggled significantly. They simply haven’t managed to score enough to make up for deficiencies in their defensive play, which has seen a regression compared to the previous season.
With fifteen games into the season, there remains ample opportunity for the team to rectify current challenges and regain the form that led them to accumulate 105 points last season. However, to reach that goal, they will need to increase their scoring effectiveness while simultaneously improving their defensive stability.
Last year, the Kings averaged 3.04 goals per game and allowed only 2.48, ranking them 14th and second best in the league, respectively. This season, however, the Kings are averaging just 2.73 goals per game while allowing 3.07, a trend they must reverse to improve their current points percentage of .533, which, if continued through a full season, would yield around 88 points—likely insufficient for a playoff position in the competitive Western Conference.
After a recent 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, head coach Jim Hiller emphasized the missed opportunities that plagued his team’s performance. He noted that the Kings had several chances to score but consistently failed to capitalize on them, while the Panthers took full advantage of the Kings’ mistakes.
Hiller stressed the importance of getting to the front of the net, a sentiment echoed by players like Mikey Anderson, who reflected on the need for precision and opportunistic play. Anderson acknowledged that while the team is generating shots—ranking seventh in the league with an average near 30 shots per game—they need to make better use of these opportunities.
The Kings have only managed to score four or more goals in three of their 15 games this season. They need to find an offensive breakthrough soon, not just to climb the standings but to alleviate pressure on individuals who may be feeling the weight of their underwhelming production.
Trevor Moore, who has been among the forwards struggling to find the net, cited the need for the team to get to “dirty areas” in front of the net to create better scoring opportunities. He acknowledged that with a focus on placement and execution, the Kings can find success.
As the Kings prepare for their next matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins—a team they previously lost to at home—they will aim to replicate their earlier road success, which included a 5-1-2 record in away games this season.
With hope for improvement and the team working collaboratively to rectify their course, fans are eager to witness how this pivotal road trip will unfold. Further updates and coverage of the team’s practice and games will soon follow as they look to gain traction in the standings.