Los Angeles Kings: Little Concern After 8 Games This Season

The Los Angeles Kings look like they are a power to be reckoned with.

This team is playing some of the best hockey that we’ve seen out of anyone in the league. Not only have they played well, they have played as a team. Everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. This team hasn’t taken a night off.

The Kings have played eight games thus far and they have compiled a 6-2-0 record. What’s even more impressive, the two losses that the Kings have suffered came on the second half of back to back games.

This team looks like the real deal. Most people thought that the Kings would be good this season, but I don’t think that anyone thought they would be this good so early.

What have we seen in the first eight games of the season?

Jon Bernier might be considered the best thing the Kings ever did in the crease. You’re probably thinking that I mean Jon Quick, but no, I mean Jon Bernier.

In one of my earlier articles, I mentioned that the pressure from Bernier would push Quick to be better than anyone thought he could be.

If you look at Quick, his play has inspired the team. Last season, there was no doubt that Quick would be the starter. While Ersberg was a quality back-up, there was really no competition for that number one spot. This season, there is competition. Jon Bernier is a very capable goaltender.

As I stated above, this healthy competition is the best thing that the Kings have going for them this season. Goaltending has been a pleasant surprise for the Kings. While I knew Quick was good, I didn’t think that he would be this good. The Kings probably have the best goaltending tandem in the National Hockey League. This team is in an enviable position. Finally, for the first time in years, the Kings look stable in goal.

Another pleasantry this season has been the play of the defense.

When the season started, it looked as though the Kings would be short-handed without Matt Greene in the line-up. Kings fans knew that someone needed to step up.

When you consider the solid play of Davis Drewiske and Jake Muzzin, fans must be pleased. With Drew Doughty going down, it was thought that Jack Johnson would step-up and be that big game player everyone saw in the playoffs against Vancouver. Until last night against Minnesota, Johnson hadn’t filled the spot. I can honestly say that I have been a little bit disappointed with the play of Jack Johnson thus far. Reports came out yesterday that the Kings were trying to negotiate an extension with the young defender. Perhaps this powered him to an all-star performance against Minnesota.

Can we really talk about the Kings’ defense without mentioning Willie Mitchell? He has been everything that the Kings thought he would be. The leadership he has shown is incredibly evident. In my opinion, this was one of the best signings from any team over the summer. I can’t believe that people thought this guy’s hockey career was over. He isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

One thing that has really impressed me is the play of the defense in general. When you look at most of the wins that the Kings have racked up, the defense has played a big role.

Now it’s not like the Kings are a team that struggles in the scoring department. However, the defense still plays a massive role in this team’s success. Look at the wins that the Kings have thus far. When you go into the third period with a lead or behind by a goal or two, which group needs to be solid? It’s the defense.

The top six for the Kings has played really well. They’ve kept shots to the outside, shut down team’s power-play units and held their own in the offensive zone. It looks as though the addition of Willie Mitchell and more experience from other guys is going to play a big role in the Kings becoming a power house in the Western Conference.

As far as the offense goes, there really isn’t much to complain about. Kopitar is clicking along at a point per game pace and the supporting cast is right behind him.

One great thing about the offense this year has been the play of Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams. These two guys had a lot to prove, and boy are they ever proving it. Williams and Stoll are playing like the players everyone thought they would be when they were brought in. They are dominant in the offensive zones, Stoll wins face-offs at an unbelievable rate and neither one of them are afraid to take chances. I don’t have enough time to give these two guys the praise they deserve.

If you looked at my player grades through four games, you would have seen that there were a few guys that didn’t impress me. Now I’m just going to go out on a limb and say that these guys didn’t read my article, but they have really stepped it up.

Wayne Simmonds looks like a player again and Brad Richardson went out and scored a hat-trick. These two guys were two of the guys who didn’t have much going for them at the start of the season. However, now they look like true NHL players.

While everything is looking good in Los Angeles right now, there is a little bit of concern.

The Kings need to step it up on the power-play. They simply aren’t good enough. When you have guys like Doughty, Kopitar, Johnson, Stoll and Williams, you should be really good on the PP. Right now, the Kings appear to be confused upon entry into the offensive zone. I’m rather convinced that Terry Murray and his team of coaches will straighten out the power-play before too long. It’s not like there is a lack of talent on this team.

Another cause for concern is the two game misconducts handed out to Brown and Simmonds.

After watching Brown’s hit on Antti Miettinen a few times, you could clearly see that Brown didn’t hit his head. While it was a lateral hit, he probably shouldn’t be suspended. I can’t blame the referees on this one though. It was an incredibly fast paced game and the hit was dangerously close to Miettinen’s head.

Now the other game misconduct has to be a bit of a concern. Wayne Simmonds simply can’t use the butt-end of his stick as a weapon. I don’t even think that I have to get into this. It was inexcusable and should have warranted a long suspension.

Overall, the Kings are looking really good right now. It can only be hoped that Jon Quick will keep up his stellar play, the defense will continue to play as a single unit and the offense will get contributions from everyone.

This team is going to be good this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a division banner raised to the top of the Staples Center after this year ends. Wouldn’t it be great?

Through the first eight games of the season there really isn’t much to complain about.

Hopefully the Kings can keep it up.

Follow me on Twitter: @michaelstuart93