The Kings are heading back to familiar territory after a grueling stretch on the road, and it's time for them to find their footing. With seven of their last nine games played away from home, they're now gearing up for a critical seven-game home stand. This stretch could define their season, especially given their shaky 10-16-8 home record.
Thursday saw the Kings break a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Vancouver Canucks, wrapping up their road trip on a high note. It was a much-needed win after a tough week where they went 4-2-4 in their last ten games, including four overtime losses.
The Kings have faced persistent challenges this season, particularly in closing out games. They’ve struggled with overtime losses, late-period collapses, and defensive lapses.
Interim head coach D.J. Smith emphasized the need for consistency, saying, “You’ve got to be able to just play the exact same game for 60 minutes.”
Despite their road woes, the Kings are treating each game like a must-win playoff scenario due to the tight standings. Recent games against Utah, Philly, and Calgary saw the Kings hold leads but ultimately fall in overtime. Even their impressive performance against Vancouver was tempered by the fact that it came against the league's weakest team.
Offense hasn’t been the issue for Los Angeles; they’ve been scoring well. However, their defense and goaltending need to step up.
Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin have to support Drew Doughty and Joel Edmundson more effectively. In goal, Darcy Kuemper has been inconsistent, sometimes shining and other times faltering.
Anton Forsberg has shown strong performances when called upon, often outshining Kuemper.
With ten games left, including seven at home starting Saturday against Utah, the Kings have a chance to make a playoff push. They’re one point behind Nashville for the final playoff spot and three points behind Vegas for the third seed in the Pacific Division. To keep their postseason hopes alive, they need to capitalize on their relatively easier schedule compared to competitors like Seattle, Nashville, and Utah.
The Kings need to aim for at least a 7-3 record in these final games. Avoiding a first-round matchup against Colorado could be crucial, as a more favorable opponent might give them a better shot in the playoffs.
As the race tightens, the Kings must seize every opportunity to climb the standings and secure their playoff position.