Kings' January Struggles Reflect Season-Long Challenges

The Kings are built to stifle opponents and win games by narrow margins. This strategy requires the players to execute nearly flawless games. When they are unable to do so, they have relied on a resurgent Darcy Kuemper to bail them out. Recently, the team has struggled significantly, and Kuemper has been unable to cover for their shortcomings.

With a record of 3-5-1 since their first road trip this month, the Kings are experiencing their worst point production stretch of the season. They managed to keep pace with Vegas and Edmonton for a while, but ultimately, those teams can outscore their problems and any deficiencies, something the Kings cannot do. LA did have a successful second seven-game road trip, during which Quinton Byfield was finally breaking out as a center.

Since then, however, Byfield has been used primarily as a defensive matchup player, sacrificing his offensive contributions for defensive gains. This shift in responsibility has freed up Phillip Danault and Anze Kopitar. Unfortunately, Kopitar's line has gone dry, with the captain himself recording just four assists and an even rating over the last ten games. Meanwhile, Danault has only managed one goal and two assists with an even rating during the same span.

Byfield, meanwhile, has registered a -7 rating in his last ten games while facing tougher matchups. This is highlighted by a -3 in Seattle, a -2 at home against Pittsburgh, and a -2 against Detroit.

The solutions to these issues are not clear. Alex Laferriere rejoined the lineup during the road trip and even had a goal disallowed against Columbus, but he has yet to return to the form he showed earlier in the season (small sample size, to be fair). Warren Foegele has also struggled, as he and Trevor Moore have often been paired with Byfield during this rough patch to shut down top opposition. Kevin Fiala remains an enigma for the team but has shown some signs of life recently, totaling two goals and five assists with an even rating in his last six games.

On defense, Drew Doughty's upcoming return, expected during one of the games against Florida, will significantly boost the club. His 15 goals from last season would be a welcome addition to the blue line. Still, it's important to note that a two-way defenseman at 35 years old, whose value is primarily on the defensive side, cannot be relied upon as a complete solution to the team's offensive struggles. Doughty's return will likely replace Brandt Clarke's contributions, as Clarke has gradually faded from the scoresheet in recent months.

External moves to improve the team will come at a hefty cost, and Doughty's return may be viewed as the team's acquisition or 'deadline' pickup of the year. Long were the days when the Kings landed players like Jeff Carter and Marian Gaborik at the actual deadline. Moreover, the Kings are hopeful that players who received extra ice time during Doughty's absence will step up their games and maintain that level of performance alongside Doughty's return despite the impact of their playing time.

Making a trade could hinge on Moore, who, as an asset without a NMC, may not carry the same value now as he did in the offseason after coming off a season with 30 goals. For the Kings to make a realistic trade, they may need the other team, or two, to retain a heavy portion of salary. This would put players like Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and Clarke without potential in-house options down the road to bolster the lineup while in their primes.

The Kings are in a difficult position, this January just being a window into their long-term problem. As they navigate their ongoing dry spell, they will face back-to-back games against the defending champions and the always-dangerous Tampa Bay Lightning to finish with Mikko Rantanen's Hurricanes. The situation could worsen before it improves.

Looking ahead, the Kings will hope to secure at least two to three points from this upcoming three-game stretch. These games will test the very foundations of this locker room and will to win.

Fortunately, the remainder of the season does not appear as daunting since they will play 22 home games (out of 32 games) after this trip. They've been excellent at home and will possibly give the indication that they'll be alright, which is a cautionary tale for a team likely to play more on the road come playoff time.