Defenseman Mikey Anderson of the Los Angeles Kings is not one to light up the scoreboard on a regular basis and put points on the score sheet. In fact, for the most part, he has been the complete opposite. He has been the reliable, responsible, and dependable one that the Kings look to shut down the opposition in a close game. However, this season he is the leading scorer among Kings defensemen in the early going.
Kings’ Anderson Lighting The Lamp Early
Drafted 103rd in the 2017 NHL Draft, Anderson almost immediately paired with Drew Doughty on the top pairing defensive unit. Doughty has been the offensive, flashy one, while Anderson was the one who blocked shots, played a physical game, and cleared the front of the net guy. While he had been limited offensively, his effort in the defensive zone does not go unnoticed as Los Angeles has won many games because of his defensive game.
This season, he has brought his offensive game early in the season. He has one goal and seven assists for eight points, 25 blocked shots, 22 hits, and is a +5 in 14 games. For his career, he has 10 goals and 38 assists for 48 points, 307 blocked shots, 393 hits, and is a +35 in 208 games. He is almost half way to his career high in points in a fifth of the games played.
His defensive game is something to take notice of. he is never out of place, takes care of his zone, creates a transition game with his smooth passing, and has never been a minus in the +/- category, which is something rarely done.
Anderson does not wear a letter on his jersey but he is a leader on the team by being vocal and leading by example. He is effective on every inch of the ice and supplies a quiet game that is crucial to the success of the team. Whether or not Anderson keeps producing offensively or not, his defense will always be there.
Anderson is one of the more important players on the Kings roster. Part of the core four, he never takes a game off and supplies a certain energy by his play in all three zones. A silent weapon on the Kings defense that takes his game seriously and has learned to step up his game when the team needs him.
(photos: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photos: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
