Angeles Analysis – A Few Tuesday Thoughts

Last night, as the Kings lined up against the Colorado Avalanche, they saw a team on the other side of the ice that is better. Colorado is the number-one team in the NHL this season for a reason. Their win over the Kings was their 40th of the season, the most in the NHL. It also gave them points number 88 and 89, an NHL high as well.

I think we’d all agree that the Kings put in the work last night. They gave what they had and I thought the effort was noticeable. I think we saw a team, despite playing Colorado, try their best not to sit back. To play with pace and intensity. To bring a level of physicality we haven’t seen enough of. In his first game as the team’s Interim Head Coach, D.J. Smith felt that the Kings established those things last night and I’d agree.

It wasn’t always pretty and we certainly saw Colorado have extended stretches in the offensive zone as a result of their ability to control the puck. A fortunate whistle and some magic from Anton Forsberg kept the game close and the Kings had their share of opportunities to find that go-ahead goal. Ultimately, against a better and healthier foe, they came up just short.

Boisterous numbers in categories like hits and blocked shots have their place, but when you rack up lopsided numbers in those categories specifically, it’s likely because you aren’t controlling very much of the puck. But still. We’ve seen times this season where the Kings didn’t have enough of the puck but also weren’t bringing that level of physicality. Weren’t blocking that number of shots. So, in playing Colorado, a team that is better, if you know you aren’t going to dominate the puck, you damn sure better be willing to do those things. I thought the Kings were extremely willing in that area and it showed in the way they played the game. Should they bring that same drive and willingness down the stretch, against teams that are not the Avalanche, they’ll get some results.

For whatever reason, as I thought about all of those things while driving today, it led to another thought.

For D.J. Smith, the coaching staff and the players on the ice, that collection of individuals did their job last night, which was to start turning the ship around. That game could’ve drifted into Edmonton territory, but facing a 2-0 lead, hemmed in their own end, the Kings pushed back. They didn’t win and this league is ultimately about wins and losses. But we did notice some fight and it was seen and appreciated.

Ultimately it is not D.J. Smith’s job to plan for the future. Nor is it the job of the players on the ice. They have games in front of them to play and win. Smith’s competitive edge is apparent. Whether there’s a playoff mandate or not really didn’t seem to matter. He’s never been the head coach in a playoff game. Whether the Kings are a contender or not, a legitimate threat or not, that’s not his focus or the team’s focus. The focus is on winning the game in front of them.

The direction of the franchise, however, is planned above the level. That’s at the management level.

I can understand a disagreement in the direction the Kings are taking. A feeling that a larger retool or rebuild is needed to get the franchise where it ultimately needs to go. A feeling that a “push for the playoffs” isn’t as important as it’s being made out to be. An aversion to the middle of the pack.

That’s fine.

But that’s not on D.J. Smith. That’s not on the players.

All they can do is play to win games, as they have been tasked with doing.

For the players and coaches, making the playoffs is important. You go into a playoff series 0-0 and there is a true reset. Sometimes, it’s a reset in belief, too. I personally believe that it’s important for the organization to do so as well. But it’s really important to those in the room. And, if it’s important to those in the room, seeing the things we saw last night carry over into the final 22 games of the season should matter too. If the Kings can deliver that kind of effort over the final 22 games, they’ll be in the mix for the postseason. It doesn’t mean they’ll suddenly become a contender. Doesn’t even mean they actually will make the playoffs. But they will be in the mix.

And when watching the team play and covering what’s going on, for me, it’ll be through that lens. The players and coaches are playing to win games and make the postseason. That’s the singular goal of those in the room, because that’s what their job is. I am hopeful that as players return to the lineup, we see the same type of work ethic and commitment as we saw last night. It’s easy to run through a wall in your NHL debut, or your first game under a new coach or when you’re playing the best team in the NHL. There will be days going forward when it will be harder. But those are the times that will define what this group does down the stretch. It’s probably going to be hard to see that level for the entire season, because it’s hard to play that hard. But it’s what Smith wants and needs his team to do. It’s what he expects. And it’s what the players and coaches should expect as well.

I personally hope it leads the Kings into the postseason. If it doesn’t, I hope it leads to something that’s at least more consistent and more enjoyable than what we’ve seen for the better part of 60 games. Last night’s game should offer some optimism. If the Kings can replicate that again on Thursday and Saturday, rounding out the homestand with some authority, there should be some hope. Hopefully it’s not misplaced.