In a season in which the LA Kings have struggled to string wins together, they may have finally found some momentum at a crucial point. With only two games remaining before the NHL’s Olympic break and 28 games left until the season’s end, the Kings need as many points as they can get to solidify their fifth consecutive playoff berth.
Following back-to-back losses to their archrival Anaheim Ducks, the Kings hosted the New York Rangers at a low-point on January 20. The team had lost four games in a row, six of their last seven, and were sitting two points outside the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, with the season slipping away. It seemed that another couple of losses would sink the season and prompt the front office to make serious decisions about the team’s coaching staff and ability to contend this year.
But then LA rattled off a 4-3 win in a solid third period, hoping to gather some steam heading into a five-game road trip, which started in St. Louis. There, the Kings put together one of their more entertaining games this season. In a seesaw battle with four lead changes, the Blues forced extra hockey with a late Jordan Kyrou goal, but Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe potted goals in the shootout to give LA a 5-4 win.
Following a postponed matchup in Columbus, the Kings put together arguably their best 60-minute performance of the year, knocking off the Detroit Red Wings 3-1. Detroit held the league’s fourth-best points percentage entering their tilt. The win marked the Kings’ first three-game win streak since November 13th.
The Kings went 1-1-1 in the final three games of the trip, responding to a 4-1 drubbing in Buffalo with a 3-2 OT win in Philadelphia. And while Sunday’s overtime loss in Carolina may feel like the Kings’ celebration of Groundhog day given they lead the league in OTL, Kings fans should feel differently. The Kings showed lots of heart in Carolina, and despite being outplayed and down two goals in the third, they fought back and scored twice late to force OT. In other words, the Kings escaped with a point they probably shouldn’t have obtained. That late push in the second half of a back-to-back is just as impressive, and proves that coach Jim Hiller’s message is still resonating with the team.
“Back-to-backs are a great measure of character, especially in this building. Wasn’t pretty the whole time we were there to fight and fought for every inch,” said Hiller postgame.
A main reason for LA’s solid stretch of recent play is the effectiveness of the team’s 4th line. Taylor Ward, who was recalled from the Ontario Reign on January 7, has provided a much-needed blend of speed and skill to the bottom-six. He and grinder Samuel Helenius have combined for 4 goals over a recent six-game stretch and have received plenty of praise from Head Coach Jim Hiller.
“I can’t say enough about those guys right now, the way they’re playing,” said Hiller.
LA Kings top forward Kempe is another player of note from this stretch of play. He tallied 4 goals over the past six games, including a two-goal performance against the Flyers.
Even Quinton Byfield has shown flashes, scoring two huge goals on the road trip. His OT winner in Philadelphia was a beauty, as he sniped one far-side over the goaltender’s blocker.
With only seven games until the NHL’s trade deadline, the Kings have a real opportunity to gain some traction in the race. According to Tankathon, the LA Kings have the easiest remaining schedule of all NHL teams. This includes numerous division matchups as well, giving them serious chances to leapfrog other teams in the standings.
On Wednesday night, the Kings will host the Seattle Kraken, with huge playoff implications. Los Angeles currently sits one point behind both the Kraken and Anaheim Ducks, who occupy 3rd place in the Pacific, and the second wild-card spot, respectively. The Utah Mammoth win on Monday night also bumped them above the Kings for the top Wild Card spot in the west, but LA sits only two points back with two games in hand.
Here is a snapshot of the Wild Card standings in the Western Conference:
P3: Seattle Kraken - 61 pts - 54 GP
WC1: Utah Mammoth - 62 pts - 56 GP
WC2: Anaheim Ducks - 61 pts - 55 GP
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Los Angeles Kings - 60 pts - 54 GP