The Los Angeles Kings are gearing up for a critical week as they aim to secure home ice advantage in the upcoming playoffs. After a mixed bag of performances last week, where they competed in three games, the Kings are currently in a strong position, leading the Edmonton Oilers by two points with one game in hand.
During the week ending April 13, 2025, the Kings faced the Seattle Kraken, where they suffered a disappointing loss, only managing to score once in a 2-1 defeat. However, they bounced back impressively, scoring a total of 11 goals across their next two games, showcasing their offensive prowess. Quinton Byfield stood out with six points (three goals and three assists) over the three-game stretch, while Kevin Fiala's four-goal week propelled him to the top of the Kings' scoring leaderboard with 34 goals.
Despite the loss to the Kraken, the Kings remain optimistic. They are looking to solidify their playoff positioning as they head into a crucial matchup against the Oilers on April 14, 2025. A win in Edmonton would clinch home ice advantage for the Kings in the first round of the playoffs, a significant milestone as they aim to build on their successful season.
The Kings have been performing well at home, with a record of 30-5-4, and they will need to carry that momentum into their final games of the regular season. They currently sit at 45-24-9 overall, and their home record has been a key factor in their success. Coach Todd McLellan has emphasized the importance of maintaining their strong play as the playoffs approach.
In terms of individual performances, Adrian Kempe remains the Kings' leading point-getter with 68 points (33 goals and 35 assists) in 79 games. His consistent scoring has been vital to the Kings' success this season. Meanwhile, Anze Kopitar is hot on his heels with 65 points (21 goals and 44 assists), demonstrating the depth of talent within the Kings' lineup.
On the defensive side, Darcy Kuemper continues to impress in goal. He has achieved a remarkable 30 wins this season and ranks second in the NHL in goals against average (GAA) at 2.05. His performance has been instrumental, especially during the Kings' recent stretch, where he had a streak of 15 games allowing two goals or fewer. Although that streak ended against the Kraken, Kuemper's overall play has solidified his status as one of the league's top goalies.
As the Kings prepare for their matchup against the Oilers, they will be facing a team that is currently dealing with injuries to key players. The Oilers recently defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1, but they were without several stars, including Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman. Connor McDavid, however, has returned from injury and is looking to reach the century mark in points for the fifth consecutive season, sitting just one point shy with 99 points.
The Kings have faced the Oilers three times this season, leading the series 2-1-0, with each team winning their home games. This upcoming game in Edmonton will be crucial not only for playoff positioning but also for establishing momentum heading into the postseason.
Following the game against the Oilers, the Kings will travel to Seattle, looking for redemption after their earlier loss to the Kraken. Seattle has proven to be a challenging opponent, having taken two of the three meetings this season. The Kings will need to tighten their game defensively and capitalize on scoring opportunities to avoid another setback.
Later in the week, the Kings will host the Calgary Flames on April 17, 2025, in a make-up game that was postponed due to California wildfires earlier in the season. The Flames are still vying for a playoff spot and will be a tough opponent, especially as they look to improve their position in the standings.
As the regular season winds down, the Kings are focused on their goals. With three games remaining, they control their destiny regarding home ice advantage. The Kings' power play has been a point of concern, ranking 28th in the league at 17.1%, but their penalty kill has been stellar, sitting fifth overall at 81.8%.
With the playoffs looming, the Kings are determined to solidify their status as contenders. The upcoming week will be pivotal for their playoff aspirations, and fans are eager to see how the team performs in these crucial matchups. The energy is palpable, and the Kings are poised to make a significant impact as they head into the postseason.
