Los Angeles Kings Preview 2021
In 2012 and 2014, the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, in the past seven seasons, our Los Angeles Kings preview 2021 - 22 notes that they have been to the playoffs just twice. Both times, the Kings lost in the first round. Last year, Los Angeles (21-28-7) finished seventh in the West with 49 points. The big question is can this team, which has been in a major rebuild mode for the past few years, finally take the necessary steps forward to get back to the playoffs?
Kings - Key Skaters
Center Anze Kopitar, a 16-year veteran, can put the puck in the net, set up plays, and score on the power play, while fifth-year wing Alex Iafallo is a fine goal scorer. Our Los Angeles Kings preview 2021 - 22 notes right wing Adrian Kempe is also handy on the attack. However, like many LA players, he’s weak on D. Although, Drew Doughty and Alexander Edler are both quality defenders who can also feed the puck in on offense to set up scores, the Kings are thin when it comes to sound two-way players.
Los Angeles Kings Preview 2021 – Goaltending
Veteran goalie Jonathan Quick is in his 15th NHL season, all with Los Angeles. During his career, he’s posted a 2.40 GAA and .913 SV%. His record is 336-249-69. Quick is a quality talent. But he’s also not getting any younger. Plus, Quick needs some defense. He can’t do it on his own. Fourth-year NHL goaltender Cal Petersen will likely backup. Last season, Petersen played in 35 games, posting a 9-18-5 recond. His GAA was 2.89 and save percentage .893.
Los Angeles Kings Preview 2021 – Final Word
This is head coach Todd McLellan’s third team in 12 seasons. McLellan spent his first seven seasons at the helm of San Jose and then the next three-plus with Edmonton. In his fourth year with the Oilers, they fired him. He came to the Kings in 2019.
In his first nine seasons as an NHL coach, McLellan was successful in getting his teams to the playoffs. During that time, the Sharks and Oilers were in the postseason seven times. However, our Los Angeles Kings preview 2021 - 22 notes that in the past four years, his teams have not qualified for the second season. We do expect that to be the case once again this year.
NHL Pacific Division - Los Angeles Kings Projection 2021
Finish: 6th
No Playoff Appearance