A Rough Patch for the Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have hit a rough patch, losing 12 of their last 14 games. Despite this slump, they are still positioned fourth in the Pacific Division and currently hold the first wild card spot for the playoffs from the Western Conference. However, the team faces a challenging road ahead with seven of their next eight games away from home.
Coaching Tenure Under Scrutiny
Head coach Todd McLellan is steering through his fifth season with the Kings. He has secured a contract extension that ensures his role through the 2024-25 season, indicating a long-term commitment from the organization. General Manager Rob Blake has expressed support for McLellan during this difficult period, signaling confidence in his coaching abilities despite the recent downturn in results.
McLellan himself has taken responsibility for the team's performance, acknowledging the stark contrast between their early-season form and their current struggles. "I'm responsible for this," McLellan said. "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."
The coach has been proactive in attempting to reverse the team's fortunes, experimenting with various strategies to stimulate improvement. "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," McLellan elaborated.
Performance Versus Potential
Despite the losses piling up, the Kings' underlying numbers suggest they should be performing better. McLellan pointed out the discrepancy between their statistics and outcomes, stating, "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 has emphasized the importance of player performance, highlighting the role of the athletes in executing the game plan provided by the coaching staff. "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," Kopitar asserted.
Defenseman Drew Doughty echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for collective effort and selflessness among the players. "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," Doughty explained. He further added, "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 Homestand and Playoff History
The Kings' recent four-game homestand concluded with a record of 1-2-1, adding to the urgency to find solutions and return to winning ways. However, there is a silver lining: the Kings have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. This history suggests a resilience and capability within the team that could help them overcome the current adversity.
As the Kings embark on their upcoming road stretch, the pressure is on both the coaching staff and players to reignite the spark that saw them perform strongly earlier in the season. With the playoffs on the horizon, the Kings must quickly address their shortcomings and rally together to secure their spot in the postseason and contend for the Stanley Cup once again.