
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
After a 1-4-2 homestand, the LA Kings are off for a quick two-game road trip north of the border before coming back home for two. Before looking at Edmonton and Vancouver, some quick statistics from the seven-game homestand:
Shots on Goal:
- LAK: 260 (37.1 SH/GP)
- Opponent: 223 (31.9 SH/GP)
Powerplay
- LAK: 3/18
- Opponent: 4/16
Faceoffs
- LAK: 55.2%
- Opponent: 44.8%
The Kings outshot their opponents in all but three games, including a staggering 43-20 SOG against the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to Thursday, they had done a good job of killing off penalties, but the Kings’ powerplay is just downright ineffective.
- I wonder if the Kings will shake up the lines again, with several players being a non-factor in games right now:
Trevor Moore: 1 goal, 1 assist in 22 games played
Lias Andersson: 0 points in 7 games played
Rasmus Kupari: 2 goals, 2 assists in 20 games played
Matt Roy: 0 goals, 6 assists in 22 games played
Obviously, waivers play a factor for some of these players, but it’s just not working right now with the current group. Kupari can be sent down without needing to clear waivers. Is it time for Gabe Vilardi to return to the NHL as a winger? He has five points in four games with Ontario. As shown above, the Kings have no problem with shot volume, but they have very few TRUE finishers on this team.
- Speaking of waivers – Defenseman Kale Clague will reportedly be placed on waivers, with the hope that he clears and returns to the AHL. Clague was recalled from Ontario in late October and played well in a limited sample size, recording five assists in 11 games, but he hasn’t played since November 21. With Doughty back into the fold along with Sean Durzi, there will not be much playing time for the 23-year-old. Will he clear again?
Kings defenseman Kale Clague will be placed on waivers today, per source.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) December 3, 2021
- A quick look back at where this team was at the 22-game mark last year compared to this year. Is this team actually better?
Powerplay
- 2021: 20.0%
- 2021-22: 17.8%
Penalty Kill
- 2021: 85.4%
- 2021-22: 74.5%
Faceoffs
- 2021: 52.7%
- 2021-22: 53.5%
Goals Per Game
- 2021: 2.91
- 2021-22: 2.64
Goals Against Per Game
- 2021: 2.82
- 2021-22: 2.77
Obviously, the primary difference between last year and this is special teams. Through 22 games last year, the Kings were pretty darn good on both the powerplay and penalty kill, which led to scoring more and allowing fewer goals. Those numbers have slipped this season, despite the offseason additions that, on paper, were going to make the team better.
Quirky stat: The @LAKings have led after two periods 11 times this season. They won six of those games, lost two in regulation and lost three in OT/SO. Their .545 winning % here is the worst in the NHL.
Only two teams in the last decade have finished lower than .600 w/ 2P lead.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 2, 2021
- Around the league, the Panthers did it again. They clawed (pun intended) their way back from a three-goal deficit against the Buffalo Sabres.
- Straight from NHL Public Relations – The Panthers (16-4-3, 35 points) earn their ninth three-goal comeback win since 2011-12 – trailing only the Penguins (11) and Capitals (11) for the most among all teams over the past 10 years.
The NHL will eventually learn to not go 4-1 up on the Florida Panthers
— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) December 3, 2021
- The Predators released their Stadium Series jerseys yesterday….and they are something.
🤩
The primary crest pays tribute to the fans with the SMASHVILLE mark, and the look was inspired by letterpress music posters which are part of Nashville's rich history.
>> https://t.co/AK3IoFl1Yj pic.twitter.com/QP0fQ0rHnj
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 2, 2021
- Out in Dallas, Joe Pavelski scored two assists in the team’s 3-2 win over Columbus. The Stars extended the NHL’s longest active win streak to six games and did so after becoming the first team in League history to score within the opening 75 seconds in four straight contests.
First team in @NHL history to score in the opening 75 seconds of a game in four consecutive games?
You bet. #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/2XdfSRuYui
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 3, 2021
- The Wild won yet again, collecting their 16th win of the season, trailing only the Maple Leafs (17) for most wins in the league.
- The LA Kings will see all of the Panthers, Stars, and Wild this month. LOL
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