The Los Angeles Kings are the hottest team in the NHL right now, and the timing couldn’t be better. With just 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Kings have won four straight and nine of their last ten, moving into second place in the Pacific Division. Their recent dominance has not only made them a legitimate playoff threat but also solidified Crypto.com Arena as a formidable home-ice advantage.
Forward Trevor Moore recently highlighted the team’s cohesion as a key factor in their success. “I think it’s just a bunch of guys in unison,” Moore said. “The D (defense) is playing awesome, the forwards are helping the D out, and when we’re all playing together, we’re a really hard team to beat. With the fans in our building, it’s made it a pretty tough place to play.”
The Kings secured their 26th home victory last night against the New York Rangers, matching a franchise-best mark. Even more impressively, they’ve netted 20 goals in their last four games, showcasing the offensive explosion they need down the stretch.
The Kings’ front office faced criticism at the NHL trade deadline for their perceived lack of aggressive moves. In a more measured approach, they sent a mid-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for left winger Andrei Kuzmenko. Initially met with skepticism, Kuzmenko has slowly found his role, becoming the offensive spark the Kings desperately need.
Kings head coach Jim Hiller has seen firsthand the impact Kuzmenko has had, particularly on the power play. “I mean, it looks a lot better, doesn’t it, with Kuzmenko?” Hiller said. “Whether we score or not, can we all agree that it looks a lot more dangerous? You’re seeing the puck go down to him on the goalie, right side, quite a bit more.”
Before Kuzmenko’s arrival, the Kings’ power play ranked 28th in the NHL at just 16.6 percent. While still a work in progress, Kuzmenko has already contributed two power-play points in the last three games and four total points since joining the team. Known for his streaky scoring, his playstyle fits perfectly with a Kings squad that is peaking at the right time.
Another major catalyst in the Kings’ resurgence has been Kevin Fiala. Previously guilty of overpassing, Fiala has refocused on his elite shooting ability-something Hiller has been urging him to do more often. “He was overpassing and not really thinking of that, and he’s got a great shot. He should be shooting all the time. If he’s guilty of anything, sometimes it’s overpassing,” Hiller noted.
The adjustment has paid off. In a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers recently, Fiala recorded two goals on seven shots, proving just how dangerous he can be when he prioritizes finishing over facilitating.
As the Kings continue their push toward the postseason, they face a critical test on the road against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. After that, they return home for a three-game homestand, beginning with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at 4 p.m. and two more home games against the Sharks on March 30, at 7 p.m. and they face the Jets, on April 1, at 7:30 p.m.