After a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues, the Los Angeles Kings have clinched the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
They're sitting just one point ahead of the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks. Despite losing forward Kevin Fiala to a season-ending injury at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the Kings have managed to stay in the playoff hunt.
However, their journey this season has been a mixed bag.
The Kings are capitalizing on a relatively weaker Western Conference, keeping their postseason hopes alive. With 78 points over 74 games, they might have faced elimination if they were in the Eastern Conference. Their minus-26 goal differential and being one of only five NHL teams with fewer than 200 goals highlight some of their struggles.
On the latest episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton dove into whether the Kings are truly playoff material.
Tyler Yaremchuk didn't hold back, questioning the Kings' legitimacy. He pointed out that the Kings have only secured 19 regulation wins out of 74 games.
This means that less than a third of their victories come in regulation time. Despite this, they’re clinging to a playoff position with 30 total wins and 18 overtime losses, which boost their point total.
Yaremchuk suggested that while their playoff chances hover around 39.5%, the Kings might struggle if they face off against a powerhouse like the Colorado Avalanche.
Carter Hutton echoed these concerns, focusing on the Kings' defensive lineup. He noted that the back end is aging and lacks speed, with players who have had solid careers but might not be suited for a deep playoff run. While praising individual talents like Joel Edmundson and the potential of Brandt Clarke, Hutton emphasized that the current team structure isn't built for immediate success.
As the Kings prepare to face the Predators, a crucial matchup awaits. Their playoff destiny remains uncertain, and fans are eager to see if they can defy the odds and make a significant impact.