Connor McDavid's recent comment about the Pacific Division playoff race being a “pillow fight” might have been delivered with a chuckle, but it hits home for the teams involved. The Edmonton Oilers captain pointed out how fortunate the Oilers and their division rivals are to be in such a competitive yet forgiving division this season.
Take the Los Angeles Kings, for instance. If they were competing in the Eastern Conference, they'd be trailing the wild card race by a hefty 12 points.
Instead, they're still in the mix, despite a season marked by inconsistency. Interim Head Coach D.J.
Smith knows they've missed opportunities, yet here they are, clinging to playoff hopes with 73 points.
The Kings are battling hard, but it's like swinging with a pillowcase instead of a pillow. Their effort is undeniable, but the results just aren't there.
Under Smith's leadership, the team has shown a more exciting style of play. Last night's matchup in Utah was thrilling, even if the outcome was all too familiar-a narrow loss in a game they could have won.
Two moments from that game encapsulate the Kings' season. In the second period, they played some of their best hockey, dominating with 33 shot attempts to Utah's 14 and creating 17 scoring chances. Yet, a defensive lapse led to a Utah goal, overshadowing their efforts.
In overtime, despite controlling the puck and hitting the post, the Kings couldn’t seal the deal. Quinton Byfield, who had an outstanding game, saw his efforts thwarted by some unfortunate interference, leading to Utah's game-winning goal. Darcy Kuemper couldn't make the crucial save, and the Kings couldn't capitalize on their chances.
This latest defeat adds to a troubling pattern. The Kings have played 11 games under Smith, with nine tied in the third period. They've managed just two wins in those tight contests, reflecting a broader season struggle: 40 of their 70 games have been one-goal affairs, yet they've secured only 23 wins.
Despite these challenges, the Kings aren't losing faith. Players like Scott Laughton remain optimistic, drawing inspiration from strong periods of play. But in a league where results are king, the Kings find themselves on the wrong side of too many close games.
With only 12 games left, time is running out for the Kings to change the narrative. They remain in the playoff hunt, but without a significant turnaround, this season's story might end without the desired twist.