Los Angeles Kings’ Prospects for the 2023-24 Season: Insights from The Hockey News AI Model

The Hockey News AI projection model, Kevin, predicts the Los Angeles Kings’ fate in the 2023-24 season. According to Kevin’s projections, the Kings are expected to finish third in the Pacific Division, behind the Edmonton Oilers and Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kings’ success hinges on goaltending performance.
• Improving the penalty kill is crucial for their postseason aspirations.
• Cap constraints force the Kings to navigate the season with a limited roster.

The Los Angeles Kings are gearing up for the 2023-24 NHL season, and according to The Hockey News AI projection model, Kevin, they are in for an intriguing campaign. Kevin’s predictions place the Kings in the third spot in the Pacific Division, trailing behind the formidable Edmonton Oilers and Las Vegas Golden Knights.

As the Kings set their sights on the upcoming season, several key factors will shape their journey. Here are the main points to watch:

1. Goaltending Holds Up: The Kings face a significant challenge in the goaltending department. The Pierre-Luc Dubois trade has created salary cap issues, leading the team to seek cost-effective options between the pipes. With Cam Talbot and Pheonix Copley sharing the goaltending duties, both coming off seasons with subpar save percentages and negative goals above expected, the Kings’ success relies heavily on their ability to improve their performance. Quality goaltending from Talbot and Copley could be the difference-maker for the Kings this season.

2. Improving the Penalty Kill: Last season, the Kings struggled on the penalty kill, ranking among the worst in the league and performing abysmally in the playoffs, particularly against the potent Edmonton Oilers’ power play. The team has revamped its penalty kill strategy during training camp, adopting a diamond setup. Whether this adjustment will lead to improved penalty killing remains to be seen, but it’s a crucial area for the Kings to address if they aim for a deep playoff run.

3. Surviving With a 21-Player Roster: Cap constraints have forced the Kings to enter the season with a reduced roster of 21 players instead of the usual 23. This limitation has already posed challenges, such as dealing with Arthur Kaliyev’s suspension. Playing with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, as opposed to the preferred 12 forwards and six defensemen, is less than ideal for the team. This situation could become even more problematic if injuries or suspensions occur during the season. Additionally, in the goaltending department, the Kings lack a reliable third option if David Rittich is claimed off waivers, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected setbacks.

In the most likely scenario, the Kings’ offensive firepower helps secure a comfortable playoff berth, despite average goaltending performance. However, their journey may come to an end in the second or third round of the playoffs.

In the worst-case scenario, the goaltending situation deteriorates rapidly, with neither Talbot nor Copley providing the answers. With Rittich claimed off waivers, the Kings face a tough decision, potentially sacrificing a skater like Viktor Arvidsson to create space for a new goalie. Nevertheless, the damage may already be done, leading to the Kings missing the postseason altogether.