Los Angeles Kings' Struggles Continue Despite Playoff Positioning
The Los Angeles Kings have found themselves in a troubling slump, losing 12 of their last 14 games. Despite this downturn, they still cling to a playoff lifeline, sitting fourth in the Pacific Division and occupying the first wild card spot from the Western Conference. The road ahead doesn't promise immediate respite, with seven of their next eight games scheduled away from home.
McLellan's Tenure and Approach
Head coach Todd McLellan is weathering his fifth season at the helm of the Kings. His tenure has been solidified with a contract extension that secures his position through the 2024-25 season. Amid the current challenges, General Manager Rob Blake has expressed his support for McLellan, signaling confidence in his coaching despite the team's recent performances.
McLellan himself acknowledges the weight of responsibility for the team's predicament. "I'm responsible for this," he admitted, reflecting on the stark contrast between the team's promising start and its recent struggles. He remains committed to finding solutions, stating, "Our staff is doing what we can or what we believe we can to get them to turn it around."
In his pursuit of change, McLellan is exploring various strategies. "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," he explained.
Underlying Numbers Versus Results
Despite the disappointing string of losses, the Kings' underlying statistics suggest a team that should be performing better than their record indicates. "Our numbers -- our underlying numbers -- say we're more the first-half team than the second-half team," McLellan pointed out. However, he concedes that the only metric that truly matters is the win column, which currently does not reflect the potential indicated by those numbers.
Player Perspectives on Team Performance
Kings' captain Anze Kopitar emphasizes the role of player execution alongside coaching. "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 said, highlighting the players' responsibility to translate coaching into on-ice success.
Defenseman Drew Doughty echoed the sentiment of collective effort and individual commitment. "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," he stated confidently.
Doughty also stressed the importance of teamwork over individual brilliance. "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 elaborated.
Recent Homestand and Playoff History
The Kings recently concluded a four-game homestand with a record of 1-2-1. While not an outright disaster, this performance did little to alleviate concerns surrounding the team's form heading into the final stretch of the season. It is worth noting, however, that the Kings have managed to secure playoff berths in each of the past two seasons, indicating a foundation of success that they can potentially rebuild upon.
Conclusion
As the Kings embark on their challenging road trip, the team's leadership, both on the bench and on the ice, remain focused on turning the tide. With McLellan looking to adjust tactics and motivate his squad, and players like Kopitar and Doughty rallying their teammates for a collective resurgence, the Kings are poised to fight for every point as they strive to transform their underlying numbers into tangible results and secure their place in the postseason.
