"The Los Angeles Kings are entering a pivotal week as they look to correct a mediocre first half of the 2025-26 season. Sitting with a record of 16-12-9, the team is battling offensive inconsistency and swirling trade rumors as they prepare to face one of the league's top teams, the Colorado Avalanche, tonight. On Dec. 19 the Kings traded forward Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a second-round 2026 pick."
"A bright spot amidst the offensive struggles has been young defenseman Brandt Clarke. He has effectively taken over the top power-play quarterback role and is on pace for a 40-point campaign. His development into a bona fide top-four defenseman is one of the few successes of the season so far, providing a glimpse of the future on the blue line."
Los Angeles enters a pivotal stretch with a 16-12-9 record, struggling with offensive inconsistency and trade speculation. The team traded Phillip Danault to Montreal on Dec. 19 for a second-round 2026 pick after Danault contributed five assists in 30 games. Brandt Clarke has emerged as a bright spot, assuming the primary power-play quarterback role and pacing for a 40-point season while developing into a top-four defenseman. The Kings travel to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche, who hold a 28-2-7 record, creating a significant test to gauge whether Los Angeles can compete with the NHL's elite.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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