The Los Angeles Kings have hit a rough patch, losing 12 of their last 14 games, a stark contrast to the strong start they had earlier in the season. Despite this recent downturn, the Kings are still holding on to a playoff position, currently sitting fourth in the Pacific Division and occupying the first wild card spot for the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
On the Road Again
The team's resilience will be tested as they face a challenging schedule ahead, with seven of their next eight games being played on the road. This stretch could prove pivotal for the Kings as they look to regain their early-season form and solidify their playoff standing.
Coaching Confidence
Head coach Todd McLellan is in his fifth season leading the Kings and has recently secured a contract extension through the 2024-25 season, signaling the organization's confidence in his leadership. General Manager Rob Blake reiterated this sentiment on January 18, backing McLellan amidst the team's struggles.
McLellan himself has taken responsibility for the Kings' downturn, stating, "I'm responsible for this. 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."
He continued to outline his approach to turning the tide: "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."
Despite the losses, McLellan referenced analytics to support his optimism: "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."
Players' Perspective
Team captain Anze Kopitar came to the defense of the coaching staff after the recent loss, emphasizing the accountability of the players: "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."
Drew Doughty, one of the team's top defensemen, echoed Kopitar's sentiments on the need for collective effort and selflessness: "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 further elaborated on the team's philosophy: "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."
Recent Performances and Playoff History
The Kings finished their recent four-game homestand with a record of 1-2-1, a result that they will be eager to improve upon during their upcoming road games. The team has made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, suggesting a pedigree for success that they'll hope to rediscover as they push toward the postseason once again.
In conclusion, while the Kings are currently experiencing a slump, the team's track record, leadership from both the coaching staff and key players, and their current playoff berth suggest that they have the potential to overcome this adversity. With a critical series of road games on the horizon, the Kings' season hangs in the balance, and the hockey world will be watching to see if they can return to their early-season form and make another deep playoff run.