The Los Angeles Kings are on a bit of a winning streak and it is happening at the right time. We are in the last few weeks of the season and the Kings could not be playing better hockey. Of course, a lot could change until the playoffs but the Kings look to continue their hot play.
Los Angeles Kings playing well at the right time
the Kings are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights at the top of the Pacific Division and the Los Angeles Kings are four points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers. The Golden Knights are ahead of the Kings by winning percentage (.657 to .648) . The Kings have 11 games left on the 2022-23 NHL schedule (five on the road and six at home), with most of that schedule coming against the Pacific Division opponents.
The Kings currently have a record of 41-20-10 for 78 points. The Los Angeles Kings are 3-0-2 in their last five. The Kings defense has really stepped up and looks like a formidable, top-tier unit. The Kings finally came together after the trade deadline when they shipped longtime goaltender Jonathan Quick and in return acquired goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. The team has played well, coming together and looking like a team that could be an issue for the opposition in the playoffs.
Korpisalo has been solid since making his Los Angeles Kings debut. He has a record of 3-0-1 with a .921 save percentage and a GAA of 1.96 in four appearances. Korpisalo has shown no effect of a bad transition to Los Angeles as he looks extremely comfortable between the pipes. Gavrikov, on the other hand, looks at home on the second pairing of the Kings. He has been often paired with Matt Roy and they are looking confident as a pairing. Gavrikov has appeared in nine games, scoring one goal and three assists for four points. He has 13 blocks, eight hits, and is a +7.
All in all, the Los Angeles Kings look ready to go as they approach the second season. The team is playing well, as all four lines are contributing, and the three defensive pairs are playing physical hockey. This could be the year that the Los Angeles Kings make a run. This may be the most complete Kings team in awhile. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (photo: sandiegouniontribune.com; Dan Greenspan) (photo: rinkroyalty.com Ryan Gagne)
