The Kings are in pursuit of a middle-six winger ahead of the March 6 trade deadline after Kevin Fiala’s season-ending injury. Currently, they trail the Ducks by three points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Despite having the sixth-best defense in the league, their offensive struggles are preventing a playoff berth. General Manager Ken Holland previously acquired Artemi Panarin, but with Fiala sidelined, they need more scoring depth. The goal is to improve their scoring and maintain competitiveness in a weak Pacific Division.
By the NumbersThe Kings are ranked 25th in the league with 2.31 expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.Los Angeles has a shooting percentage of 9.2%, better only than the Flames and Devils, who both stand at 8.6%. State of PlayThe Kings are currently outside the playoff spot, trailing the second wild-card team by three points.Fiala was the team’s second-leading scorer with 18 goals and 40 points before his injury. What’s Next
Los Angeles is likely to pursue lower-cost rental players rather than making a significant commitment for a top talent. They may explore options like Jeff Skinner, Evander Kane, or others to boost their scoring efficiently as the trade deadline approaches.
Bottom Line
To salvage the season and honor Anže Kopitar’s last run, the Kings must address their offensive issues pragmatically. A few smart moves in the rental market could provide the scoring boost needed for a potentially deep playoff run.