"Coming into the 2025-26 season, there was no doubt that this version of the Los Angeles Kings would be different from last season. With the shake-up of the defensive group, most expected a dip in play on the back end, while bringing back the entire top nine was expected to aid an improvement in offensive production, given that the Kings were second in goals per game after the trade deadline last season."
"18 games have passed, and still, it's difficult to reach a clear conclusion about this team and what the realistic expectations are. On a surface level, 9-5-4 and sitting in second in the Pacific Division seems like a pretty good spot (which it is), but the general vibe and feeling of the Kings so far doesn't exactly match their record."
Defensive group underwent a shake-up, prompting expectations of a dip in defensive play. The entire top-nine forwards returned, creating expectations for improved offensive production after ranking second in goals per game post-trade deadline last season. After 18 games, the record stands at 9-5-4, though team play and underlying vibe feel incongruent with results. Recent stretch shows improvement, with an 8-2-2 run over the last 12 games. Home performance has collapsed compared with last season's 31-6-4 home dominance, registering a 1-4-2 mark through seven home games. Road performance has driven the winning record, with 11 road games played.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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