A Rough Patch for the Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are currently facing a challenging phase in their season, having lost 12 of their last 14 games. Despite this slump, they have managed to maintain a spot within the competitive Pacific Division, ranking fourth, and securing the first wild card position for the playoffs from the Western Conference. However, with seven of their next eight games scheduled on the road, the team is at a critical juncture that could define the rest of their season.
Coaching Under Scrutiny
Head coach Todd McLellan is no stranger to pressure, now in his fifth season with the Kings. With a contract extension that runs through the 2024-25 season, expectations for success are high. General Manager Rob Blake has expressed his support for McLellan, even as the team struggles to find its footing. McLellan himself acknowledges the responsibility he bears for the team's performance, reflecting on the stark contrast between the team's promising start and their current predicament.
"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."
Despite the setbacks, McLellan remains committed to turning the situation around, exploring various strategies to motivate and optimize his players' performances. "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.
Underlying Numbers vs. Results
The Kings' underlying statistics suggest a team that should be performing better than the results indicate. McLellan pointed out this discrepancy, acknowledging the importance of actual wins over favorable analytics. "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," he stated.
The Players' Perspective
Team captain Anze Kopitar emphasizes the role of the players in the team's fortunes, suggesting that while coaching provides the necessary framework, it ultimately falls to the players to execute on the ice. "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 explained.
Drew Doughty, another veteran presence on the team, echoed Kopitar's sentiments, stressing the need for collective effort and selflessness among his teammates. "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 remarked.
Doughty also highlighted the importance of teamwork over individual performance, a philosophy that has been integral to the Kings' identity. "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," he added.
Looking Ahead
The recent four-game homestand, which concluded with a record of 1-2-1, serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead. The Kings, who have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, are at a crossroads. With a significant portion of the season still ahead and plenty of opportunities to climb back up the standings, the team's resolve and adaptability will be put to the test.
As the Kings embark on their upcoming series of road games, their ability to rally as a unit and translate their underlying potential into victories will determine their fate in the quest for postseason glory. The organization, from management to coaches and players, appears united in their commitment to overcoming the current adversity. Only time will tell if their collective efforts will suffice to steer the team back to its winning ways.