Jamie McBain Thriving in New Role with Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings were hoping a former Buffalo Sabres blueliner would help round out the back end in 2014-15.

However, they probably weren’t expecting it to be Jamie McBain.

Brayden McNabb was brought over last season in a trade that sent prospects Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers to Buffalo. John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor reported in July that L.A. would grant the 23-year-old a fair crack at a second-pairing spot.

Meanwhile, McBain joined the club on November 11 after a five-game midseason stint with the Kings’ AHL affiliate (Manchester Monarchs).

For all the noise McNabb generates with his crunching hits, though, it’s McBain who has quietly delivered the superior play, bolstering a third unit that was weakened when Alec Martinez climbed higher in the lineup.

With Robyn Regehr on the shelf and Slava Voynov still suspended, McBain’s performances have somewhat mitigated the blue line’s depletion.

Even Strength

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In 2013-14, McBain logged 16 minutes and 26 seconds of even-strength ice time per game to rank fourth on Buffalo’s blue line. This season, he ranks last among Kings defensemen with an average of 11 even-strength minutes per game.

Obviously, his workload is lighter in L.A.

So how has he fared with fewer responsibilities? Since he’s a puck-mover at heart, it’s certainly promising to see him near the top of the team’s defense in key offensive metrics:

	Pts/60	GF60
Drew Doughty	1.08	2.24
Jake Muzzin	1.15	2.31
Alec Martinez	0.93	3.04
Robyn Regehr	0.58	2.20
Brayden McNabb	0.84	1.80
Matt Greene	0.52	2.20
Jamie McBain	1.50	3.00

On the season, he has seven points in 15 games, which Hockey-Reference.com indicates is good for the second-highest point-per-game mark of his career. 

As a King, though, he must be counted on to play in his end as well. This is where he’s offered the most pleasant surprise, boasting the third-lowest on-ice goals-against average among the club's rearguards.

Putting his offensive and defensive contributions together, he’s managed to post the second-best goals-for percentage on the blue line—and he’s done this as a player who was never deemed a key piece to the team's puzzle.

Granted, he’s also faced the easiest competition and enjoyed the easiest zone starts available.

But while L.A. would love to add a minute-munching, right-shooting complement to Martinez on the second pairing, propping up the third group with a reliable veteran like McBain is more than welcome too.

In addition to his generally sound game, he's provided a spark to the defensive corps. It takes vision and confidence to pull off this pass against NHL-caliber opposition: 

His play recognition and mobility shine through in a contest against the Nashville Predators, as he detects a chance to join the rush and eventually pots a goal:

Head coach Darryl Sutter would be wise to see if McBain can maintain this level of play with more action.

Drew Doughty is simply taking on too many minutes at the moment, and stumbling upon a player who could alleviate his burden would be huge.

According to the with/without numbers, McBain has been hampered by one pairmate:

	TOI	GF%	CF%
With Regehr	46:45	25.0	37.3
Without Regehr	113:27	77.8	57.1

If the coaching staff can keep McBain away from Robyn Regehr while feeding him more ice time, L.A. could stop leaning so heavily on its first pairing of Doughty and Jake Muzzin.

For a team that is slipping on the defensive side of the puck, establishing stronger balance on the back end would represent a much-needed shot in the arm.

Power Play

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Even as an offensive-minded blueliner, McBain has been shockingly effective on the man advantage.

His instincts and assertiveness with the puck are particularly jarring when compared to the oft-sluggish choices made by Doughty and Muzzin.

There is no stream of fake slap shots or perimeter passes when McBain and Martinez man the blue line. They both look to attack from the outset, moving fluidly to change passing/shooting angles and create opportunities for teammates.

The stats speak for themselves:

	Pts/60	GF60
Drew Doughty	2.84	6.49
Jake Muzzin	3.38	6.20
Alec Martinez	4.13	6.61
Brayden McNabb	4.40	8.79
Jamie McBain	8.18	14.32

The eye test backs up the numbers, revealing McBain as a self-assured point man who goes on the offensive and isn’t afraid to try his luck.

Against the Florida Panthers, he makes two quick, decisive plays. One doesn’t pan out, while the other exploits some open room, finding Dwight King near the goal line for a two-on-one down low:

There isn’t a seed of doubt in McBain’s mind. He commits to his designs and carries them out with full conviction.

Against the Calgary Flames, he receives a pass near the offensive blue line and sends the puck across the ice to Justin Williams. He then immediately skates down toward the slot, and before the Flames can react, the puck is in the net:

That’s the sort of movement rarely seen from Doughty, who appears gun-shy on the man advantage.

McBain opens up the playbook, so to speak. He creates odd-man situations either with crisp passing, a quick trigger or skating down into the high-percentage areas himself.

Such initiative can backfire in a real hurry at even strength, when three-zone responsibility and positioning are paramount. When boasting an extra attacker on the ice, however, the Kings need a figure to take charge. It appears they've found someone who fits the bill.

Outlook

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Due to injuries and off-ice issues, L.A.’s blue line hasn’t been in good shape this season. Its numbers are worsening and Doughty appears taxed by his usage.

Thankfully, McBain’s recent increase in ice time suggests that he’s gaining Sutter’s trust on a game-by-game basis. He’s racked up four points and a plus-two rating in his last six outings, and a tentative start to his Kings tenure is definitely trending upward.

Can the Kings rely on him against stiffer competition? That’s unclear at present, but he looks like far more than a stopgap out there.

Should Martinez prove himself capable of handling Voynov’s duties going forward, L.A. may well have unearthed a long-term cog on the third pairing in McBain.

Advanced statistics courtesy of Behind the Net and Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.