"What transformed into one of the most dangerous aspects of the Los Angeles Kings' offense after last season's trade deadline, and even propelled them to a two-game series lead over the Edmonton Oilers in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has fallen completely off the rails. The five-forward power play unit was first introduced after the acquisition of Andrei Kuzmenko."
"Through the first 25 games played this season, the Kings have the fifth-worst power-play percentage league-wide, operating at a mere 14.1 percent ( they have also had the seventh most power-play opportunities). For a power play that has that much skill and talent on it, the success rate is nowhere near where it should be. It doesn't get any better when you take a look at who leads the NHL in shorthanded goals against."
""The power play has struggled in general," Kings coach Jim Hiller said. "The group of five of them clearly aren't getting it done as constructed. We have talked about it a few times...It's something we are thinking about, and it doesn't look good. It's cost us games, so when it gets to that point, you might have to make some changes.""
The Los Angeles Kings' five-forward power play unit introduced after acquiring Andrei Kuzmenko has regressed dramatically. The primary unit—Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar, Quinton Byfield, Kevin Fiala, and Kuzmenko—has underperformed despite significant talent. Through 25 games the team ranks fifth-worst in power-play percentage at 14.1 percent while receiving the seventh-most opportunities. The Kings are tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals against with four, exposing turnover and structural problems. Coach Jim Hiller acknowledged the constructed five-man group isn’t producing and said changes may be necessary, yet the unit remained unchanged in a recent matchup.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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