Seven NHL teams hit the 20 game mark on Saturday. This article heads to the West Coast to cover the Los Angeles Kings.
Los Angeles Kings - 10-7-3, good for 23 points:
Right now, the Kings are tied atop the Pacific Division, but the two teams they are tied with have played less games. Additionally, the Stars could pass them by their 20th game as well. The Kings are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, and they have a plus-1 goal differential. That may be due in part to the fact they have only scored 49 goals so far.
Anze Kopitar is leading the way in goals with nine and points with 23. So, clearly he's not the issue. Mike Richards is doing well in his new digs, as he has eight goals and 16 points. Simon Gagne has seven goals and 13 points in 18 games.
Less impressive has been Jarret Stoll (one goal, six points) and Dustin Penner (a mere two assists). On defense, Drew Doughty has been his usual impressive self, scoring seven points in 15 games. Jack Johnson has nine points, and keep an eye on Slava Voynov, who has five points in eight games as a 21-year-old blueliner. In net, Jonathan Quick has been great, posting a .931 save percentage.
Clearly, the Kings need to improve their scoring. They have the players to do it, especially if Penner can contribute anything. At the very least, Quick, Doughty, and the rest should be above average at goal prevention. Without improvement, the Kings probably won't contend for the division, but they still look like a potential playoff team.
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