Long live the Kings?
The Los Angeles Kings have made it a habit of playing mediocre hockey in the regular season, before turning it on in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Last season, Los Angeles came into the postseason after finishing third in the Pacific Division and a fifth-overall seed in the Western Conference. In 2012, the Kings were the eighth seed, barely sneaking into the playoff picture. Both times, they hoisted Lord Stanley come June.
In 2015, Los Angeles might not be able to pull off the same Houdini act. The Kings have 31 games remaining but currently sit in fifth place in the Pacific Division, five points out of a postseason slot. Only the Arizona Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers have fewer points in the West, with the Kings (21-18-12) tying the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars at 54 points.
Vegas, which listed Los Angeles as a favorite to win the Cup to begin the campaign has certainly backed off, listing it now at 16/1. The Kings are fifth team listed in the West, and 12th overall.
The defending champions were expected to be a strong contender again, fighting with the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks for supremacy. Instead, Los Angeles has been a rollercoaster all season long, punctuated by its recent 2-5-3 streak over the last 10 games. The Kings have struggled to score, ranking 20th at 2.6 goals per game. The defense has been average, checking in 14th, also at 2.6 goals/game.
Dustin Brown has been one of the most disappointing players in hockey this year. The Kings’ captain, Brown has provided little spark for Los Angeles, scoring 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists) in 51 games. The New York native has been in offensive decline for two years now after posting just 27 points in 79 games last season. Brown is also a horrific -10 in 2014-15, putting him on pace for his first minus season since 2009-10.
In the crease, the Kings have seen more disappointment. Jonathan Quick has struggled to put forth another top-notch campaign, posting a forgettable 17-15-10 mark with a 2.52 goals against average. Quick ranks 25th in the latter stat of qualifying goaltenders, one season after the 29-year-old posted a 2.07 GAA. When Los Angeles won its first Stanley Cup in 2012, Quick had a miniscule 1.95 GAA and 10 shutouts.
Over the final two and a half months, the Kings will have their chance to make noise. Los Angeles plays the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks a combined five times before the end of the regular season, the two teams directly in front of them. The Kings would be wise to make their move early, though, with eight of their final 11 games being played on the road including an East Coast trip featuring the New York Islanders and New York Rangers.
Time is still on Los Angeles’ side, but the ticks of the clock are growing louder.
