Follow me on Twitter:
@BenShelley_20
Follow HockeyBuzz Kings on Twitter:
@HB_LAKings
The Los Angeles Kings have picked up just a single win in their first three games of the season.
Following a blowout win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Kings fell in a close game against the Minnesota Wild 3-2, before losing 2-1 to the Nashville Predators in a bit more of a disappointing outing.
The Kings made some notable additions up front this offseason but through the first three games of the season, it’s still the team’s usual suspects leading the way. While the likes of Viktor Arvidsson, Phillip Danault and even Vladimir Tkachev have all contributed, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty from the back end, have accounted for a massive chunk of the team’s offense so far.
For reference, the Kings have scored nine goals in three games this season. In those three games, Doughty has a goal and seven points, while Kopitar has five goals and eight points. It’s a pretty remarkable feat, especially given Doughty and Kopitar are now 31 and 34 years old respectively, and are also playing the most minutes of any players on the team. They’ve each managed at least a point (and for Kopitar, a goal) in each game so far. It’s a great start and reinforces that there’s no reason to fear offensive decline for either player right now.
On a broader look though, there hasn't been a ton offense coming from other players. To compare, no other player on the team has more than three points in the team’s first three games and only three other forwards have goals for the Kings. Viktor Arvidsson and Phillip Danault give the team two more options in the top-six and allow for some of the younger players to be sheltered a bit more. Arvidsson gives Kopitar an exciting winger to play with, while Danault should help to take on some difficult matchups from Kopitar going forward.
That said, we've seen how much of an impact Doughty and Kopitar have needed to make for the Kings. While the Kings' forward group is better overall, scoring has been an issue. Ideally, some of the team's younger forwards are able to take step up as the season progresses to add stronger secondary scoring.
So while Kopitar has been the team's best forward and Doughty has been producing from the back end, the Kings do need other players to step up.
***NOTE: We've launched a HockeyBuzz Kings Twitter account! For anyone interested, you can follow
@HB_LAKings for updates on articles, Kings news, etc.***
Quizmaker
OTHER ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Kings sign Martin Chromiak to entry-level contract
Analyzing Cal Petersen’s contract extension
Quinton Byfield out indefinitely with broken ankle
Los Angeles Kings unveil new alternate jersey
Kings reveal opening night roster
Kings place Christian Wolanin on waivers 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»