Tuesday night’s loss to the Dallas Stars was LA’s fifth in a row. Were it not for the Detroit Red Wings, the Kings would be owning the league’s worst goal differential (-15) and overall record (only five points so far this season).
Moreover, their problem is becoming more apparent with each game. The Kings are losing their identity as a defensive team, as that component of their franchise - outside of Drew Doughty - is visibly slowing and breaking down.
Comeau’s opening goal Tuesday night was a clear example and embodiment of LA’s problem. As Doughty tried to cover two green jerseys, no other Kings players were taking away bodies or getting into passing lanes. They weren’t taking anything away in front of their own net, which included their ranking Selke trophy winner. Doughty slamming his stick on the ice in frustration makes sense because he was forced to decide between covering the puck carrier or taking away a pass that shouldn’t have been available.
Not that he has been perfect either, but the effort is at least noticeable.
This process nearly repeated itself in a similar fashion that would have led to another Comeau goal, where LA was simply unable to take anything away down low in front of their own net. They don’t look like a defensive team anymore. And when you’re definitely not an offensive team - when Alex Iafallo is your leading scorer - that’s big trouble.
In the game against Dallas, the Kings were statistically better than the Stars in nearly every deep statistic, including CF% and SC%, except for high-danger scoring chances or what some might call “net front” opportunities. It’s almost like the Kings are playing some kind of bizarre zone defense that collapses when they get down low. The result is a lot of puck watching and open chances in front of Jonathan Quick (or Jack Campbell).
The Kings are a talented team, so they can fix this, but it needs to happen soon and they need more from Kopitar on both sides of the puck. Keeping even some of those shots to the outside, where Quick can make easier saves, would make a significant difference.
If the poor defensive play keeps up, we’re getting close to the point in the season where we can’t keep saying, “it’s still early.”
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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