Some things just never change in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Kings have continued to be a staple of defensive might despite not having a plethora of natural goal-scorers and league-average goaltending. Considering these factors, their record indicates a success story thus far.

15-8-3 is a massive coup for a team that, on paper, looks to still be middling. Considering the turbulence this franchise has gone through with personnel movement that soured, this is quite a strong record. One thing has stayed consistent with these Kings, and that's their overall play at even strength.

Via Moneypuck.com, their Expected Goals % (57.25%) ranks second, their Corsi % (53.53) ranks fifth, their Fenwick third (54.31%), even strength goal differential also ranks third (+16). Most of these statistics reflect possession, but defensively at even strength, is where they truly stand out.

The Kings have the league's lowest Expected Goals Against (41.09), second in Expected Goal Differential (13.94), fifth in Goals Against per 60 (1.93), allow the least amount of High Danger Shots Against in the league (31), the fifth least Medium and Low Danger Shots Against (116/595), and finally the fifth lowest amount of defensive zone giveaways (151).

At even strength, there aren't a ton of kinks in the armor. The Kings will win games relying on their five-on-five play. Overall, their defensive style of play has shot them all the way up to fourth fewest goals allowed in the league (69 GA).

So while their dominant even strength play has kept them on the winning side of hockey, their special teams are hindering them. It's almost as if they take two steps forward and one step back each week.

The Kings' penalty kill has looked exceptional some nights, but it is wildly inconsistent overall (79.3% - 18th). The Kings have formed an exceptional PK duo in Quinton Byfield and Warren Foegele. However, the most significant drop off on the penalty kill is the goaltending.

David Rittich is 26th (goalies playing ten games or more) in Goals Saved Above Expected with -0.5. Darcy Kuemper is not much help either, ranking 30th (-1.0). The second ranked best penalty kill of last year had Cam Talbot in net. Talbot had the best ranked Goals Saved Above Expected in the league (10.6). That's quite the dip.

There is the predicament of the powerplay that is much worse than the penalty kill. The powerplay has been the opposite definition of “power”, ranking 27th overall with a 16% success rate. It has been slowly draining the team this year.

So, while the team continues to trumpet along at even strength, they bleed in all other areas, particularly on the man advantage. Can the return of Drew Doughty bolster this team enough to separate themselves and make a legitimate run at a division title?

Doughty's return is expected in January, and if they can go .500 on this seven-game road trip, they would be in good shape for their number one defenseman to be reintegrated. How he affects their hemorrhaging special teams will be determined in short order.

SwedenGoaltenders

Kings Remain Dominant at Even Strength