The Kings enter Elmont sporting a 16-4-3 record, and more incredibly winners of eleven straight road games, the new NHL record (last set by the Buffalo Sabres in 2006-2007).

Saturday the New York Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings at UBS Arena – and the Isles are in for a challenge.

The Kings have been road warriors through the first two months of the season, coming to Long Island after shutting out the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 Thursday. They enter Elmont sporting a 16-4-3 record, and more incredibly winners of eleven straight road games, the new NHL record (last set by the Buffalo Sabres in 2006-2007). 

Los Angeles has been one of the top teams in the NHL because they either have it all – or are at least getting IT from their players. It also, doesn’t hurt when you lead the league in goals per game and goals against! This all starts with their team toughness, speed and quickness (in basically every category).

Early success has brought confidence throughout the lineup, and the whole roster is skating like it. Their play has been simple, direct with good structure and blessed with great skill.

The Kings recipe for success should be familiar to most. It’s built around an A-1 first line center in Anze Kopitar, and a do-all defenseman that can still skate like the wind in Drew Doughty. 

Doughty has hardly taken a step back. In fact, he can still turn games on his own -- like he did Thursday in Montreal.

Doughty and Kopitar anchored Cup wins, but the rest of the team has been stripped down and retooled with new young blood, that have turned heads as we pass the quarter pole.

It all starts down the middle for the Kings, with all four lines sporting centers that truly set the tone for each of the Kings respective lines.

Kopitar still has his flair, while his skill and skating have hardly eroded. 

Phillip Danault, who has made a career of being responsible in his own end has been up to the task supporting his skilled wingers, who each have already eclipsed 20 points. 

Despite a quick start, Pierre-Luc Dubois is struggling a bit to find his offensive game (no points in the past four games), however his linemates are picking up their center, with hard work and some timely goals. 

On the fourth line, the Kings may have a diamond in the rough in Blake Lizotte, who's got an engine that doesn't stop. 

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Lines vs. Montreal Canadiens Thursday:

FORWARDS:

Byfield - Kopitar – Kempe

Anchored by Kopitar, this line has been fantastic, and enters Saturday’s game with four goals and ten assists in the past five games. Keep an eye on 21 year old Byfield, who is breaking out the season with 21 points in 23 games.

Fiala - Danault – Moore

Two games back against the Columbus Blue Jackets, this line scored three goals in six minutes and are relentless going to the net. They are most advantageous when the opposing teams have defensive lapses

Grundstrom - Dubois – Laferriere

For a third line, this trio can do some real damage. Led by Dubois, a former No. 1 center in Columbus and Winnipeg, this group has a collective 14 goals this season and has a mix of skill and some bite in New Jersey Native, Alex Laferriere.

Lewis - Lizotte - Kaliyev

Lizotte just returned to the lineup after missing six games, and he’s been integral for the Kings PK this season -- which has been phenomenal. Shorthanded, the Kings have been proficient with loose puck recoveries, successful dumps, puck battles, blocked shots and clogging up passing lanes.

DEFENCE:

Anderson – Doughty

This pairing does it all including minutes, contribute on the scoreboard, and set the tone for the way the Kings play.

Gavrikov – Roy

This pairing has been responsible, and excellent terms of picking up men in front of the Kings net. Both have been on top of their game when it comes to quick defensive decision making in their own end. 

Englund – Spence

The third pairing has been the real upside surprise as 22-year-old Jordan Spence and Andreas Englund have been stalwarts defensively, but most of all haven’t made mistakes a third pairing could typically make.

GOALIES:

Talbot/Copley

This duo has been exceeding all expectations. Cam Talbot recorded a 4-0 shutout over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, while Phoenix Copley won in Columbus on Tuesday. The pair lead the NHL in goals against average with a 2.22 G.A.A.