Los Angeles Kings: Are They the Most Underrated Defensive Team in the NHL?

You don't have to be an avid Kings fan to know that this team can put the puck in the net.  With names like Kopitar, Williams, Stoll, Brown, Smyth and so many more, it's no surprise that the Kings really aren't struggling in the goal scoring department. 

What may come as a surprise to many hockey fans is the fact that the Kings have allowed the fewest goals in the Western Conference.  In fourteen games this season, the Kings have only allowed more than three goals on two occasions.  What must be considered here is that the Kings have played fewer games than most teams in the West.

Everyone knows about Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson.  Is there a group of two young defensemen with greater career potential than these two?  Both of these young guys are studs on the blueline.  What a lot of people don't appreciate is the play of the other Kings defenders.

I've made so much of the Willie Mitchell signing in my writing here at the Bleacher Report.  Can anyone really blame me?  The leadership and presence that Willie has brought to the Staples Center locker room is undeniable. 

Another player you really have to take note of is Matt Greene.  He hits, skates and defends really well.  I remember when he was brought in.  Living in Vancouver, I got to see a lot of Greene in Edmonton.

He is one of those guys that you don't notice.  That's the style of game he plays.  He isn't going to rack up a lot of points and he isn't going to be risky.  Matt Greene is simply one of the most confident and calm defenders in the game of hockey.

While we have covered the top four defensemen of the Kings, not a lot has been said of the bottom two guys. 

What I can tell you about the rotating group of bottom defenders is that they are some of the hardest working players in the entire league.  Names like Drewiske, Muzzin and especially Scuderi are vital to the success of this team. 

Look at the last few games for the Kings.  You have a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars, a 4-1 win against Nashville, a 1-0 win against the explosive roster of the Tampa Bay Lighting and 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils. 

What do these scores say about the Kings right now?  They say that this is an incredibly well rounded hockey club.

The offense isn't relied on to score massive amounts of goals nor is the defense relied on to stop every puck from being thrown at the net.  It's like this team is in a state of equilibrium; everything is flowing nicely. 

What more can be said about this Kings defense?  Well, I can go on and on about the defensive prowess as I have or I could talk about the ability for each man to jump up into the play. 

You know that Terry Murray is coaching a good system when Willie Mitchell of all players is jumping up in the rush.  It's really great to see everyone get involved. 

Relating back to the title of this article, are the Kings the most underrated defensive team? 

In my mind, they really are.  They have everything you could ever ask for on the blueline.  There is physical strength, flash, skill, scoring, hitting and so much more. 

I am so impressed with what Dean Lombardi has been able to do for this team.  Hopefully this season brings a long playoff run like all fans are hoping for. 

Go Kings Go!

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