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The Los Angeles Kings “restructure” is officially over. The Kings have been one of the best offensive teams in hockey this season and have relied upon hot goaltenders to ride their best record in years. The Kings will be looking to enact revenge on the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs, who knocked them out a season ago.
Here’s a look at where the Los Angeles Kings stand as they contend for the NHL playoffs
Forwards
The Los Angeles Kings forward group is officially elite. The first line brings a scoring punch with Adrian Kempe playing the best season of his career with Anze Kopitar. Quinton Byfield still hasn’t reached his potential that comes with a second overall draft pick, but he might be starting to turn a corner.
The second line is the Los Angeles Kings’ money line. Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson bring in elite scoring talent. Phillip Danault is the perfect setup man for both of them. With so much scoring talent on the top two lines, the Kings loaded up on depth in their back six. Alex Iafallo and Carl Grundstrom bring the level of grit and forechecking that the Kings need in their elite offensive attack.
Defensemen
This is probably the weirdest part of the Los Angeles Kings. Like the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball, the Kings have doubled down on offense this season. This means that the blue line for the Kings is made of broken nails and duct tape. Despite this, it’s still working.
Drew Doughty is still an elite shut-down blue liner that brings a level of grit and tenacity to every game he plays in. The Kings acquired Vladislav Gavrikov from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the NHL Trade Deadline this season to shore up some weaknesses. It’s worked, for the most part.
Goalies
The Los Angeles Kings traded away franchise cornerstone Jonathan Quick at the NHL Trade Deadline. Although it was met with disgust from those outside and inside the organization, it was the right decision for the team. Jonathan Quick has not been good this season for the Kings. A change of scenery to Vegas was the only thing that could unlock his elite talent and skill.
In return, the Kings have Joonas Korpisalo, who is a suitable 2A goaltender in the NHL. Everyone is familiar with Korpisalo’s playoff heroics and it could happen again in LA. The Kings shouldn’t start with Korpisalo in the playoffs, though that responsibility should fall on Pheonix Copley, who has been one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. He hasn’t been as hot as when he started off the season, but he’s still a tough out for any team.
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