How the Kings Can Improve to Overcome the Oilers in Round 1

The Los Angeles Kings are down 1-0 to the Edmonton Oilers, and there are three places they must improve to advance to the second round.

The Los Angeles Kings are down one game to none in their opening-round series against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. This result was not unexpected as the Oilers have been one of the best teams since they brought in Kris Knoblauch to be their head coach. He led the Hartford Wolfpack of the American Hockey League since 2019 and did a remarkable job as head coach. He prioritized defense and development and has translated these skills to the NHL with the Oilers. The Kings are down but not out, and there are three key places they need to improve to overcome the odds and upset Edmonton.

Anze Kopitar

Anze Kopitar, the Kings’ captain and one of the faces of the franchise, has disappointed in recent weeks. He went pointless in the opening game of the 2024 playoffs, and he has not scored since April 1st against the Winnipeg Jets. He has looked slower and tired, playing a different game than his typical self.

As the series carries on, he will need to return to his younger self, becoming faster and smarter with the puck, driving towards the net to create offense. Most importantly, he will need to shut out Edmonton’s top forward and the best player in the NHL, Connor McDavid.

Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)