Sinking fast

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It may just not work for the Kings this year. That’s not criticism, it’s what’s been happening.

A lackluster performance in Columbus on Thursday, followed by a complete and utter collapse Friday in Detroit have the Kings slowly inching out of the playoff race, and making it very difficult in having a shot at reclaiming a spot.

The Kings have fallen to 11th in the Western Conference, with 74 points to the name. With 14 games remaining on the regular season schedule, there’s still time for drastic change – good or bad, but as close as the standings are, the Kings don’t have much room to move – that’s what makes the last two losses so detrimental.

Because when it’s this close, idle movement in the standings can certainly be a good thing.

They haven’t been idle in Los Angeles, they’re moving back, and that’s a scary step to take. At 11th, the Kings can only reasonably be within reach of 7th place in the Western Conference, owned by the Phoenix Coyotes (76 pts) who don’t even have an owner themselves. There are five clubs from 7th-11th place in the Western Conference, and are all separated by a maximum of two points.

Hence Phoenix (7th – 76), Los Angeles (11th – 74).

So there’s some hope to be had, but that’s a tough battle to win.

 Fit for a King

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If you’re looking for a bright spot, look to Dwight King. King, in his second stint with the Kings as a call-up from the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs, has fared quite well in his second go-around. Since his promotion, King has delivered seven points in 13 games with three goals and four assists.

He’s shown impressive puck-control low along the boards, he’s shown reliable consistency with presence in front of the net, and he enters the zone with strength and smarts – with or without the puck. As a line-mate of Mike Richards‘, King showed strong signs of promise. Since Jeff Carter replaced rookie Jordan Nolan on their line, Dwight King almost becomes a regular 2nd line asset in your mind.

Dwight King wins that game in Detroit, the Kings lose it.

Kompon can’t get the bird these days

They’ve scored 22 goals in their previous seven games, that’s well above their average – which ranks dead last (30th) in the NHL. That’s over three goals per game, crazy isn’t it? So quite frankly, the problems are stemming from areas other than the forwards these days – imagine that.

It has been seen as of recent. Having both Alec Martinez and Slava Voynov in the lineup combines to be more of a liability than Jack Johnson in the defensive zone. Jonathan Quick had the weakest game of his season Tuesday night in a 5-4 win against the Nashville Predators, and he chooses to do so when this offense scores an uncanny five goals for him. Jonathan Bernier, as always, got the call in Columbus. A very solid game from the backup, but fell victim to those in front of him.

None of these problems are snowballing, they’re just all coming together at the wrong time. Not much time to make things right.

And they release this during the week, this is unecessary and unfitting for everything this season. But even so, a video dedicated to goal celebrations deserves a look. Take it away, f*ck face Patrick O’Neal.

How about a video compilation of best reactions regarding this.

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