Fan Mail: LA Kings by the Numbers

We certainly appreciate all the email, tweets, etc that we get here at KingsCast. They’re all meaningful. However, Christian Mora of the University of Texas, has been writing us lately and giving the Los Angeles Kings performance by the numbers. Christian is in the Computer Science and Engineering field and compiled the following for our enjoyment. It was unfair of us not to share it with you. This is as of three days ago (November 7). Thanks, Christian!

Kingscast,

I am a computer science major with a minor in math. I love watching numbers and trends as the season goes by (being a fantasy junkie also helps). Going into this season, I think the Kings need 96 points to ensure the playoffs – usually a 7th or 8th seed. I have made a spreadsheet which breaks down the season into 10 separate 8 game chunks (with 2 chunks having an extra game).

The results of the next 10% of the season are in. The numbers really speak for the success of the team. Compared to the first 8 games, we have increased our scoring by one goal per game and reduced our goals allowed by an even larger margin. Most importantly, the Kings are now on pace to make the playoffs! Here are some other quick comparisons:

5on5 play 1st 8 games: T-16th
5on5 play next 8 games: 3rd

PP 1st 8 games: 15th
PP next 8 games: T-9th

PK 1st 8 games: 29th
PK next 8 games: 27th

Jon Quick’s numbers are quite the anomaly as he sits in a 4 way tie for most wins(10) but has a considerably lower save percentage (.902) in comparison to Nabokov (.921) or fellow American Anderson (.936). Is this because the guys in front of him are kicking ass and taking names (Kopitar), the horrid penalty killing, something else?

Finally, the Kings won 2 games this week in which they went in to the 3rd period trailing. We only did that 4 times all of last season. Last year the Stanley Cup winning Penguins did it 11 times. They were a team that didn’t give up and the 24 points they earned in that situation are a testament to their will. I am starting to get that kind of feeling from this group – they will not quit.

Thanks again, Christian, for the in-depth analysis. We have asked Christian to keep us abreast of how we’re doing numbers-wise. As fans, we can get emotional but it’s hard to argue against what the numbers say. Have a question for Christian, leave your comments downstairs.