Angeles Analysis – Finding A Way To Get The 2

“When you’re not playing your best, it’s nice to find a way to win. I think a couple of years ago, we wouldn’t have won that game when we were not playing our best. We’re probably down by two and maybe looking for some moral victories. Now, we can truly evaluate and admit when we’re not the best and then try and fix it.”

This quote stood out to me, Insiders.

It was a part of Todd McLellan’s overarching answer regarding last night’s win over San Jose. It was shared in the post-game recap, but I feel like it merits another mention at the top of an article, not just buried in a post-game notes and quotes piece.

Last night was a “B” game for the LA Kings, no doubt about it. McLellan said as much, understanding that it wasn’t the best performance or the cleanest performance the Kings have put forth this season. Not every game will be that and even as the Kings have found more consistency and better overall performances, there will be games that are ups and downs throughout the course of an 82-game schedule. But, despite that, the Kings found a way to bank two more points, improving to 10-2-1 over their last 13 games.

Personally, I don’t really buy into the notion of a trap game and when you’re living an NHL schedule, it’s hard sometimes to know what day of the week it is, let alone to look past the game in front of you. So, despite what was 20 points separating the Kings and Sharks entering last night’s action, I don’t think the opponent led into the performance. It’s possible it did, but it could have been a variety of reasons, one of which being the Kings simply weren’t as good last night as they have been as of late. A lack of practice time – much of that by choice – along with a taxing slate of games against quality opposition and a schedule of games that has not only not relented, but has actually seen the gap between the Kings and the rest of the league increase, could have factored in. Seriously, how are the Kings MORE ahead of the league? Perhaps the Kings just didn’t have it.

As McLellan referenced, that would have sunk this team two years ago. The 2020-21 season, even on “A” nights when the Kings had their best, they weren’t a lock to win. Frequently, we’d look at a 4-2 defeat that saw the Kings play decently well, even as they were outclassed by a better built team. We’d find the positives from another defeat and move along. Last season, the Kings started to find ways to win on their off nights, but the margin for error was still razor thin for that group more often than not. It’s not to say that consistently playing at at a substandard level now will see the Kings cruise into the playoffs, but it is to say that this group has found a more effective “B” game and it’s allowed them to pick up points on certain nights when years past would have been regulation losses. And that is pretty great.

Perhaps a player like Gabe Vilardi is the perfect embodiment for the team as a whole right now. Vilardi had gone five games without a goal heading into last night’s game against San Jose, when he put the Kings ahead for good midway through the third period with a deflected goal. If you rewind those two years ago, a scoreless stretch for Vilardi might have meant he wasn’t contributing much otherwise. When the production was there, he was contributing, but he didn’t have those other elements to his game. Now, McLellan went out of his way to note that he didn’t worry about Vilardi at all during those five games, because he was contributing in other ways that made his overall game worthy of his spot, beyond just his goalscoring abilities.

“If Gabe didn’t score for four or five games we’d still appreciate his game, he’s been that good in so many other areas,” McLellan said. “If Gabe didn’t score for four or five games a couple of years ago, I’m not sure that we would appreciate his game that much. I’m really happy that Gabe is scoring but I’m extremely happy that Gabe has become a complete player and I think he would tell you that too.”

Vilardi was a part of a wildly productive line during that time and had five assists despite not scoring. His wall play, battles and play away from the puck have all improved and he’s bringing it in other ways on top of his scoring prowess. Just like the Kings are finding ways to be productive on nights when they don’t have their best stuff as a group. As younger players – or even younger teams – grow, they find those ways to contribute. As playoff contenders, this Kings group is still a young team, in just their second go around. Players like Vilardi are doing it as the Kings are as a whole. Last night’s win over San Jose was a perfect example as to why that’s important for both player and team.

Today was a full off day for the Kings, as noted last night, and the team will reassemble tomorrow for a full day of practice. Todd McLellan discussed the schedule yesterday morning and how the team will finally get a bit of reprieve here over the next week or so. The Kings will play just twice over the next nine days, including a four-day stretch of no games beginning on Sunday. A much-needed time to recharge a bit heading into a grueling, six-game trip on the East Coast before the All-Star break. Including last night’s game, the Kings have a stretch where four of five opponents are on the second half of a back-to-back. It’s an advantage IF you can take advantage and with a bit of rest, the Kings will look to do so.