Now that we’ve entered the dog days of summer, with essentially no hockey news to report, it’s time to look ahead to the Los Angeles Kings’ 2022-23 NHL season.
Several questions are swirling around this team, but the biggest one is: could the Kings miss the playoffs this season?
Truthfully, all NHL fans and even sports enthusiasts should understand that anything can happen, and it’s a possibility regardless of a team’s skill level.
However, in the Kings’ case, it’s a possibility.
With the NHL standings, the top three teams from each division secure their spots, while the teams behind them vie for a wildcard position.
Last season, the Kings clinched the third spot in the Pacific Division by a mere point. This season, the Vegas Golden Knights could potentially secure the same spot, pushing the Kings into the wildcard race.
NHL.com
Let’s consider the wildcard teams: the aforementioned Golden Knights and the Nashville Predators, who have significantly improved this off-season.
This means they could potentially knock one of the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, or Winnipeg Jets down to the wildcard, essentially securing one spot for themselves. This scenario leaves only three to four teams vying for one spot, making every mistake more critical.
So, there’s the potential for the Kings, the Seattle Kraken, the St. Louis Blues, the Minnesota Wild, and the Utah HC to all compete for that coveted spot. This only impacts the likelihood of a playoff appearance when up against up to five teams all vying for the same spot, making every point count.
Related: Kings Add Forward From Rivals on Day One of Free Agency
It’s safe to say that the Kings need to start the season strong, scoring points early and often. It’s not that the Kings are a weak team; they’ve addressed goaltending issues and have found a way to move on from Pierre-Luc Dubois.
However, other teams have also improved, making every point early in the season just as important as those down the stretch.
My prediction for the Kings is securing a wildcard spot, which could ultimately allow them to avoid facing the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth consecutive time.
