The Los Angeles Kings have embarked on a March mission, hoping to ignite a late-season surge toward the playoffs. Despite not being in the most favorable position, the Kings are pushing forward with determination.
The loss of key players like Kevin Fiala to injury, along with Andrei Kuzmenko and Joel Armia, has left the Kings without a full-strength roster. With the departures of Corey Perry and Warren Foegele before the trade deadline, it seemed the Kings might be conceding the season. However, a savvy last-minute trade by GM Ken Holland brought in Scott Laughton from the Toronto Maple Leafs, adding crucial stability to their lineup.
Why bring in Laughton, a pending UFA, if the Kings had no hope? At just three points out of a playoff spot on March 6, the Kings clearly believe they can still make a run. Laughton’s impact has been immediate, but the biggest change for the Kings has been behind the bench.
A New Era Under D.J. Smith
With D.J. Smith stepping in as head coach on March 1, the Kings have transformed.
Gone are the days of passive play; under Smith, the Kings are aggressive and relentless. They’re making their presence felt, finishing checks, and limiting opponents' space across the ice.
Drew Doughty summed it up: “Basically, almost everyone is playing physical, doing the right things, not cheating, blocking shots, and doing whatever it takes for us to get into the playoffs.”
This new energy and effort are palpable. The Kings are playing with a hunger that’s been missing, with all four lines contributing on both the forecheck and backcheck.
Smith’s approach has introduced elements that were absent under former coach Jim Hiller. The Kings are now pressing with two forwards deep on the forecheck, disrupting opponents' breakouts. Defensemen are joining the rush more, adding an extra layer of attack, especially through players like Brian Dumoulin.
Smith noted after a gritty 3-2 win over the New York Islanders, “I think we’re starting to believe that we’re a team that can make some plays. We can hold onto pucks.
Some guys are scoring that maybe haven’t scored. We’re blocking shots.
There’s a lot of desperation in our game.”
Offensive Resurgence
The most striking change has been the offensive surge. The Kings, who struggled to score earlier in the season, are now finding the back of the net with regularity.
In six games this March, they’ve netted 16 goals at 5-on-5, tying them for third in the league. They’ve also generated 73 high-danger scoring chances, trailing only the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks.
However, this offensive boost has come with some defensive sacrifices. The Kings have struggled to maintain leads, with lapses allowing teams to mount comebacks, as seen against the Canadiens and Islanders.
Despite these challenges, the Kings are finding a balance. They’ve earned seven of a possible 12 points under Smith and are 2-0-1 on their current road trip. Sitting in the second wildcard spot in the West, they’re just four points behind the Edmonton Oilers with two games in hand.
In the face of adversity, with injuries and a tight schedule, the Kings are showing resilience. There’s a realistic path to the playoffs, and if they continue this aggressive, relentless play, a fifth consecutive playoff berth is well within reach.