LA Kings and powerplays

Los Angeles Kings need to improve the powerplay

I have seen all playoff games so far and that includes Los Angeles Kings games too. Kings are simply amazing. They have lost only one game so far and they are about to sweep the Coyotes and wait for their next opponent in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Everything from goaltending to goal scoring has been stellar for the Kings. 

Quick make it easier

Look at Jonathan Quick. He is at his prime and he has allowed only 3 goals in last 3 games, shutting out Coyotes in Game 2 in Phoenix, improving his GAA to 1.41. The closest to Quick in GAA is Henrik Lundqvist and I really thought he would steal the show this year. Apparently, Quick is even better this time.

I am not going to talk about all the greatness of the LA Kings but there is one aspect that can easily put them in trouble if they reach the Stanley Cup finals. No matter the opponent, Devils or Rangers. Kings DO need to improve their powerplays. They have not scored a single powerplay goal, if you don't count the 5 on 3 goals in Game 2. And I am not going to count them because that's simply another story. On 5 on 4 man advantage, Kings failed to score in the last three games, going 0 for 15.

Powerplay : 9.4 %

In my last NHL pick for Game 3, I wrote I was expecting a powerplay strategy shake up from Coach Sutter but it didn't happen and Kings failed once again on the most valuable powerplays. Sure, they are 3-0 up and all merry and glorious right now but I don't think a team who can't do well on powerplays will be able to win the Stanley Cup should they reach the final. Their powerplay percentage is now 9.4%, which is worse than 13 teams that played in NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011-2012. 

Let's take a look at their potential opponents, Devils and Rangers, assuming Kings would make it to the final. 

What about Devils and Rangers?

Devils with 20% and Rangers with 18.5% on powerplays look much better and actually superior to the Kings. In the final, there will surely be a lot of penalties, even foolish ones that players will regret for the rest of their lives. And powerplays will be vital. Maybe if, Devils and Kings play in the final, this won't be much of a problem as Devils are one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to penalty killing. They could make it all easier for the Kings, but who knows? I still think, Kings coach Darryl Sutter should change a thing or two.