Depending on who you ask, it's some combination of goaltending and defense that have been undermining the kings.
Labarbara has been really solid at times, but mostly inconsistent.
The defense has been really really bad. Stuart has looked lost most of the time, Preissing has his moments, but doesn't really resemble the guy who was +40 with Ottawa. Johnson is still learning. Blake was playing hurt early on, but is coming around a bit. Modry is Modry.
The offensive talent is there for sure, Brown is having a huge year with 24 goals and the league lead in hits. Kopitar is doing very well again and made the All Star team. Frolov is having a big surge of late, but was out earlier with groin problems. Cammalleri had 10 goals in 10 games to start the season, but cooled off a lot and is now out with a rib injury. O'Sullivan arrived and is on pace for a very solid 20 goals. He looks like he could be great.
Ultimately though, it looks like on any given night the Kings aren't all pulling together in one direction.  |