Last season, the Los Angeles Kings finished with the 29th-ranked offense in the NHL, averaging 2.29 goals per game. Even Jonathan Quick’s Vezina caliber performance was barely enough to keep them in the playoff hunt; on March 3, 2012, the Kings were 10th in the West. The story ended on a happy note, though, and that’s because all that offense they possess eventually found itself.
Over their final 18 games last season – in which they posted an 11-4-3 record – Los Angeles averaged three goals per game. Then in the playoffs they averaged 2.85, better than anyone who wasn’t included in the crazy Philadelphia-Pittsburgh opening round series.
And you know about the time it all started coming together? How about right around the trade deadline, when the Kings acquired Jeff Carter from Columbus. Not that Carter was an all-star force for them after the deal, but he did add yet another presence the opposing defense had to pay attention to.
This year Los Angeles is averaging 2.91 goals per game, good enough for 10th overall. And who’s leading the charge? One Jeff Carter. His 17 goals are a quarter of the Kings’ total bounty, while his six game-winners top the league. And with only two assists, he’s the leading Cy Young candidate. Look out for the still-intact Kings, who are finding themselves much earlier (relatively speaking) this season.
Meanwhile,in Philadelphia…