Ryan Cowley 
For 2021-22, TheScore has been releasing their preview lists, including the most/least watchable teams. The LA Kings are part of the latter.
Prior to the start of the regular season, the Toronto-based TheScore came out with a projected list of the most and least watchable teams for the 2021-22 campaign. The LA Kings were chosen as part of the latter group.
As part of their “NHL Watchability Rankings”, TheScore divided the categories in half, showing 16 of the most watchable and 16 of the least. The Kings were chosen as not only one of the least watchable but were also ranked 26th out of the 32 teams.
TheScore’s explanation is as follows:
The additions of Phillip Danault, Viktor Arvidsson, and Alexander Edler should improve a Kings squad already on the rise. But the loss of prized blue-chip prospect Quinton Byfield to a broken ankle means Los Angeles won’t be as watchable as expected – at least until later in the season.
Quinton Byfield’s absence may affect the Kings to a degree, but in fairness, the second-overall draft pick from 2020 has only played a handful of games for the big club thus far. That, by the way, came at the tail-end of an underwhelming — nay, transitional — season for the silver-and-black. Plus, while he didn’t have a lacklustre showing by any means, Byfield’s overall performance at training camp and the preseason could have been better. So, while he may be ready for the NHL, Byfield isn’t quite ready to take on a top-line role just yet.
In any case, the LA Kings are no strangers to defying the odds. Heck, if their season-opener against Vegas was any indication, the club has already defied those odds.
Now, in fairness, as promising as Thursday’s showing was, the Kings still have 81 games to go, and you can be certain that there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way. Nevertheless, it was so far, so good for the silver-and-black and when Byfield is healthy enough to return to the lineup, the Kings should be that much more exciting to watch.
Until then, let this be an opportunity for the Kings to defy those odds.