Kings mid-season report card

The Los Angeles Kings, aka the “cardiac” Kings, have surpassed the midway point of the season as well as expectations.

A hot start to the season, turned into a roller coaster ride. The Los Angeles Kings, who prior to the New Year were the top team in the Western Conference, have fallen considerably. As of today, the Kings sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a record of 24-15-3. They are ahead of the Detroit Red Wings by three points. They trail Phoenix by three points for second in the division, but trail the top seeded San Jose Sharks by ten points.

As part of tonight’s game night article, we will give a mid-season report card for the Kings. Let’s jump right into it:

Offense:

When the season started, the Kings had one of the best top lines in all of the National Hockey League. Injuries and slumps and as of today, that has all changed. Inconsistency has found its place within the Los Angeles Kings roster. Sure, injuries played a big part in why this has gone down however, even when injuries arise there should be enough depth to have a back up plan.

So the Kings turned to some unheard of sources. It has kept them in the playoff hunt to date. Scott Parse, Brad Richardson, Brandon Segal and even Cory Elkins have helped the offensive support.  Adding that to the names Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov, Jarret Stoll, Michael Handzus, Ryan Smyth, Justin Williams (although he is currently injured) and the offense is there.

It could, overall, have better efforts and results but by no means is it poor.  The Kings have the tools up front to make sure wins come in bunches and that will keep them in a playoff hunt.

Overall grade: B

Defense:

Sean O’Donnell was signed to an extension to mentor the youngsters and Rob Scuderi was brought in for his playoff experience. Drew Doughty has been a pure amazement this season. Jack Johnson has shown signs of brilliance as well, however, his plus/minus shows otherwise. Sure some luck, or bad luck for that matter, can go into that number. Jack Johnson has had a solid season thus far for the Kings. To put him down is really just animosity towards the inconsistency of the team, in my opinion.

Matthew Greene does his job perfectly.  He is a defender who plays the body and the position the right way. He is not known to be offensive, so he does not really attempt to prove otherwise.

Davis Drewiske, Randy Jones, Peter Harrold and whoever else is called upon to fill in on the blue line for the Kings when needed have performed above average. The overall outlook is a positive one.  Another group of players on this Kings team to help lead them into the playoffs.

Overall Grade: B

Goaltending:

Jonathan Quick has been exceptional this season. At a young age, Quick has stepped into the big time and has played the number one role in LA without much of an issue.  Many say that Terry Murray is over using the young netminder and that it might burn him out, however I think otherwise.  He is only 22 years of age. Play him as much as possible.  His confidence will build with each start, thus helping the Kings gain more wins.  He was one of the first goalies in the league this season to register 20 victories. He started out a bit on the rough side, but his game is seriously starting to come into full form.  Brian Burke decided to bring him along for the ride to Vancouver as well.  That says quite a bit for the youngster.

In his very limited time, Erik Ersberg has not been a burden to the Kings. As a cold goaltender, who has not seen much in game action, what can truly be expected? The Kings can only hope that he plays well and the team give a complete game when he is called upon.

Overall Grade: B+

Team Overall Grade: B

Tonight’s line up (Subject to change):

Smyth-Kopitar-Brown
Frolov-Handzus-Segal
Parse-Richardson-Simmonds
Ivanans-Stoll-Moller

Scuderi-Doughty
Johnson-O’Donnell
Drewiske-Greene

Quick

Jarret Stoll will be back in the line up tonight for the Kings, with limited roles to make sure he can gradually go back to the full time second line player he is. A smart move by Terry Murray. Randy Jones is still out, but is closer to returning.

The Sharks are no stranger to the Kings.  Tonight’s contest could be a potential first round, or Stanley Cup Playoffs preview match up. If the Kings can gain a victory and a full two points tonight against the Sharks, it proves that this season is still very much alive and kicking.  There is no strategy against the Sharks except to stay out of the box and shut down the top line as much as possible.

The team has a tough task this evening, however, a victory is not impossible.

Congratulations to Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson, Drew Dougthy and Jonathan Quick as they will all be representing their respective countries at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010.

Happy New Year!

Anthony Curatolo is a hockey writer/enthusiast. He also writes for Crash the Crease, NHL Hot Stove, Inside Hockey, Hendricks Hockey and The Checking Line. He is the co-producer and host of “The Hockey Guys” which is a Hockey Talk Radio show that airs live on Sunday’s from 2PM – 4PM Eastern Standard Time. When he is not covering hockey, he is sitting around playing his acoustic guitar and setting his rosters for all the fantasy hockey leagues he takes part in. Anthony is also a self proclaimed “coffee-holic” and X-men fanatic.