The Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley Cup in two out of the past three seasons with a team that was built “from the goal out” by mastermind general manager Dean Lombardi. The Kings have also developed a team culture in which they do just enough in the regular season to qualify for the playoffs, where they then go all in towards success. But this year may yet break that championship model as the Kings remain thin on defense, as evidenced by their thrilling but frustrating 7-6 overtime home loss to the Nashville Predators last Saturday in which LA rallied with three goals late in the third period to send the game into OT. The Kings wasted the comeback however as a defensive lapse allowed Nashville to escape on Roman Josi’s goal just 18 seconds into the period.
Excitement is Not Winning Formula
The Kings have developed the ultimate shut-down defense, which is why they have made three consecutive Western Conference Final appearances. While successful, the Kings style of play is not always exciting. After last Saturday’s high-scoring game against Nashville, the Kings Jarret Stoll said the team’s entire identity stems from the defensive side.
“We’re not going to win games 7-6,” he said. “We’re going to win 3-1, 2-1, 3-2. It all comes from our defensive side of things. From our goaltender out, working together as a five-man group.”
Back to Basics
The Kings spent Monday on what head coach Darryl Sutter called a system day, in which they practiced getting back to the basics with their strong defensive structure. LA had five days off between the Nashville game and Thursday’s Stanley Cup Final rematch with the New York Rangers and was going to spend that time getting back to the style of hockey that has made them so successful in recent years.
A Call to Greatness
A major part of the Kings success is based on the dominance of their goaltending. Number one netminder Jonathan Quick is considered perhaps the best in the world, while backup Martin Jones is a top-shelf reserve. After the first six weeks of the season, Quick and Jones posted a combined save percentage of .935, but since then the tandem has slumped badly with a save percentage of .887.
Sutter stated that the Kings needed the pair to step up before they playoffs. “We need ‘em to be thinking that they’re in that .950 save percentage,” he said. “When you drop below .920 in the league, you’re just getting average goaltending. The teams that have both goalies in that .920 plus range, they’re at the top end.”
Important Homestand
The Nashville loss opened a critical seven game homestand for the Kings. Los Angeles was a dominant 14-4-3 at home and needs to build up a cushion of playoff points as they have played uncharacteristically bad on the road so far this year with a mark of 5-8-6.
Defenseman Drew Doughy is cognizant of the critical importance of the homestand. “You want to win as many games as you can at home,” said the Norris Trophy candidate. “That’s a big stretch for us. When you get these long spans at home, you’ve got to make the best of it.”
Lingering Loss Illustrates Defensive Dilemma
The Kings recently concluded road trip saw an inexcusable 3-2 loss at Edmonton against a pitiful Oilers team that had the Kings burning mad. It also is a loss that still lingers as a possible portent of bad things to come.
With number three defenseman Slava Voynov out indefinitely due to suspension in regards to a domestic violence case, and with number four defenseman Robyn Regehr on injured reserve due to an upper body issue, the Kings blue line is perilously thin. Doughty is getting extra minutes, which is certain to wear him down as the season moves along towards the playoffs in April. With the goaltending less than par for the past month and a half that lack of depth on defense illustrates the quandary that the Kings are facing.
Playoff Push
The Kings 2012 Stanley Cup championship as an eight seed has since given them a sense that they can coast in the regular season. But with improved teams in the Western Conference such as Nashville, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Calgary the playoff push should begin sooner, rather than later.
