Opinion
3 min read

Will the Los Angeles Kings Reign Supreme at PPG Paints Arena?

As the Los Angeles Kings prepare to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can continue their recent momentum. The Kings have shown a remarkable ability to dominate even strength play, which could be a deciding factor in this upcoming clash.


Feb 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) battle for the puck in the second period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game against the Calgary Flames on December 24, 2023, the Kings displayed an impressive offensive performance with a shooting percentage of 15 percent and securing a win with five goals. Their powerplay opportunities may not have been capitalized upon as they would have liked, but their even-strength gameplay was where they shined brightly. With five goals scored during even strength and winning over half of their faceoffs, it's clear that LA's strategy is paying dividends.


The defensive side cannot be overlooked either. The goaltending was solid with a save percentage rounding up to 100 percent against both powerplay and even-strength shots in that same game. This kind of performance between the pipes provides LA with the confidence needed to play aggressively and maintain pressure on opposing teams.


Feb 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Los Angeles Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley (29) is congratulated by Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) after a shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Crypto.com Arena. Kempe scored four goals in the game as the first player in Kings franchise history to accomplish that record. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

However, it won't be an easy task against Pittsburgh Penguins who will have home-ice advantage and are known for their resilience. The Penguins will undoubtedly look to exploit any weaknesses in LA's armor; hence it is crucial for the Kings' defensemen and goalie to remain vigilant throughout all periods.


Looking back at another recent game on December 21, 2023 versus Seattle Kraken shows that when faced with adversity after trailing behind for two periods, LA managed only one goal despite taking an overwhelming number of shots (43). This indicates that while creating chances isn't an issue for LA, there needs to be more precision in finishing those opportunities if they want consistent victories.


Feb 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Dustin Tokarski (40) makes a save in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming game promises excitement as these two teams battle it out on February 18th at PPG Paints Arena. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ nationally or tune into SportsNet PT channel 659 if they're rooting from home territory or BSW channel 692 for away supporters starting at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). Will this match add another win under Los Angeles Kings' belt or will Pittsburgh Penguins defend their turf successfully? Only time will tell as we eagerly await puck drop!

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