The difference between the regular-season and playoff Los Angeles Kings has been stark ever since head coach Darryl Sutter took the reins in 2011-12.
His team routinely shifts from uninspired to unstoppable, yet its performances in the contests separating those two poles are downright infuriating for fans—and likely management as well.
The bench boss isn’t beyond reproach, either.
In addition to the players’ lack of intensity, the 20-15-12 Kings are also struggling mightily with chemistry. Forward units have been shuffled every other day—frequently during games—preventing the troops from developing a comfort level and generating positive momentum.
Sutter needs to draw up smarter lines and stick with them for at least a couple of full games to allow the club to cohere. Otherwise, its current four-game slide may extend into February.
Top 6
Some NHL teams achieve an intriguing dynamic by partnering multiple centers on the same line. To reiterate, L.A. is not among them.
Jeff Carter, who has alternated between center a ...
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Article written by Vinh Cao
Los Angeles Kings Can Right the Ship with an Emphasis on Chemistry Up Front
January 22nd, 2015 by Vinh Cao Leave a reply »
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