3 Reasons Why The Los Angeles Kings Are Out Of The Playoffs

Majority of NHL fans are happy today because the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings have been eliminated from playoff contention. I say majority because there is that small percentage coming out of Southern California that wishes the Kings were still in the running for another Stanley Cup.

Here are three reasons why they won’t hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2015 :

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1.  Slumps and Extra Time Losses

Los Angeles showed bright signs of confidence and championship strength earning winning streaks of six and eight. But it was the 13 times after a Kings victory that the team followed up with consecutive losses.  Of those 13 times, seven of them were at least three or more consecutive losses. The rhythm of the team was never set, nearly impossible to maintain consistent chemistry AND stay in the hunt for the playoffs.

There were only three occasions when the Kings came out with more than just one point while heading into either overtime or a shootout – THREE!  Seven OT losses and eight SO losses. Those proved to be valuable points left on the table.  If they could’ve pulled off OT wins against Calgary earlier in the season they would still have the opportunity to make the playoffs in their final regular season game at home against San Jose.  Who would’ve thought OT losses to Calgary in December and January could effectively determine the Kings playoff chances with just one regular season game left?

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2.  Dancing Defensive Pairings

Los Angeles had one consistent pairing for a majority of the season in Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin. Throw in Matt Greene for consistency but other than the three just mentioned it was a carousel of defenseman for the champs this season. Robyn Regehr, Alec Martinez, Andrej Sekera, Brayden McNabb, Jaime McBain, Jeff Schultz and Slava Voynov. Schultz and Voynov combined for just 15 games played. Last season they were consistent on the defense with seven total bodies, helping them overcome three brutal seven game playoff series.  This season, ten were part of the rotation. Mix and match between the 10 along with Jonathan Quick and his substandard season (according to his overall career stats) and you’ve got the same confused look as head coach Darryl Sutter.

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3.  Procrastination

The Kings relied on their “playing with their backs against the wall” mentality a little too much throughout the season and it bit them back last night in Calgary.  You already know the story of their Stanley Cup runs in 2012 and 2014, and for good reason there was belief from L.A fans that they would pull out the improbable. The improbable became the impossible and the Kings’ hopes of repeating as champs were flushed out of the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary Thursday night.

A feat that wasn’t impossible but definitely a mission as the Flames took the first three contests earlier in the season from the defending Stanley Cup Champions. I understand the mentality of a team that was the 8th seed and ended up winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. I understand the confidence that the team had when they were down in the first two playoff series last season and came back to win them. I understand the killer instinct when forced to a game 7 in three playoff series, winning all three game 7’s ON THE ROAD. And I would’ve had the same confidence and belief if I was a part of the team.

So yes, the Kings were tough to beat when they were put in these situations and probably very annoying for the opponents and their fans. But this season they waited too long to rebound from the slumps, extra time losses and inconsistent defensive struggles. They were cockroaches, they wouldn’t go away. Well Calgary had the bottle of Raid (or Raaaaaiiiiiddd, if you remember the commercial) and finally took them out.