Kings Struggling to Climb in Pacific as Olympic Break Looms
The Los Angeles Kings just wrapped up a crucial stretch of their season-a long road trip that offered a prime opportunity to gain ground in the Pacific Division. With head coach Jim Hiller at the helm, the Kings were hoping to build momentum before the league hits pause for the Winter Olympics. But despite some solid efforts, LA remains stuck in the bottom tier of the NHL’s power rankings.
Let’s break it down.
Power Rankings Paint a Familiar Picture
Coming out of Week 17, the Kings hold the No. 24 spot in the latest NHL power rankings. That places them in the bottom five among Pacific Division teams and keeps them firmly in the league’s lower third overall. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s shown flashes of promise but hasn’t quite put it all together.
This ranking comes despite a respectable 3-1-1 showing over the past couple of weeks. That stretch included a gritty road trip out east where the Kings picked up three points in back-to-back games against the Flyers and Hurricanes-two teams that aren’t exactly pushovers. But even with those results, LA hasn’t been able to shake its reputation as a middle-of-the-pack squad.
Two Key Division Games Before the Break
The Kings aren’t done yet, though-not before a pivotal back-to-back set this week. They’ll face the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday and Thursday, two games with real weight in the Pacific Division standings.
These matchups are more than just another pair of regular season games-they’re a chance for LA to make a statement heading into the Olympic break. The Kings are still within striking distance of a playoff spot, but they need to start stacking wins, especially against division rivals. A strong showing in these next two games could shift the narrative heading into the break.
Olympic Pause Offers Time to Reset
After Thursday’s game in Vegas, the Kings will get a three-week breather as the NHL pauses for the Winter Olympics in Italy. For Jim Hiller and his squad, that break could be a blessing. It’s a chance to regroup, get healthy, and reassess what’s working-and what’s not-as the playoff push intensifies in March.
There’s no denying this team has potential. They’ve shown they can hang with quality opponents, and the 3-1-1 stretch on the road proves they’re capable of grinding out results. But consistency has been elusive, and the standings don’t lie.
What’s Next?
The Kings are hovering in that frustrating in-between space-not quite out of it, but not in control of their destiny either. These next two games against Seattle and Vegas could go a long way in determining which direction this season heads.
If they can snag four points before the break, they’ll head into the Olympic pause with some momentum and a clearer path toward the postseason. If not, they’ll have some serious work to do when they return.
For now, LA remains a team with more questions than answers-but with just enough time left to change the story.