Opinion
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Can the Kings Conquer the Wild in Their Next Crypto.com Arena Showdown?

As the Los Angeles Kings prepare to host the Minnesota Wild at Crypto.com Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can turn around their recent fortunes. The Kings have been on a rocky path, with their last three games showcasing a mix of resilience and areas for improvement.


Mar 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (21) moves the puck against Minnesota Wild center Marat Khusnutdinov (22) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In their most recent encounter against the Winnipeg Jets on April 2nd, despite scoring first and leading with three goals by the second period, they ultimately fell short with a final score of 3-4. The Kings' goaltending was solid with a save percentage of 100 percent but was overshadowed by allowing four goals against. A notable concern from that game was faceoffs; winning only 38 percent is an area that needs addressing before facing off against Minnesota.


The March 31st game versus Calgary Flames also ended in disappointment for LA. Despite an impressive powerplay performance where they scored two out of four opportunities, it wasn't enough to secure victory as they lost 2-4. Again, faceoff performance lagged at just 45 percent won.


Mar 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates his goal scored against the Minnesota Wild with right wing Adrian Kempe (9) and left wing Kevin Fiala (22) during the second period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back further to March 29th against Edmonton Oilers, it's clear that scoring has been an issue for LA; managing only one goal from thirty-three shots is not going to cut it in this league. However, there were positives: faceoff wins were up at 57 percent and hits totaled at thirty-two showing physical presence on ice.


What does this mean for the upcoming game? The Los Angeles Kings need to capitalize on powerplay opportunities as they did against Calgary and maintain strong goaltending like in Winnipeg. However, consistency is key – winning faceoffs consistently will control possession and potentially lead to more scoring chances.


Mar 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) moves the puck against Minnesota Wild defenseman Jake Middleton (5) during the second period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Wild will not make it easy; they're known for being formidable opponents who can take advantage of any lapse in concentration or execution. It's crucial that LA steps onto the ice focused and ready to compete fiercely from puck drop until final horn.


Fans should expect an intense battle where every shift counts and every opportunity must be seized upon by Los Angeles Kings players if victory is within reach.


The showdown between Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild is scheduled for April 16th at Crypto.com Arena starting sharp at 6:30 PM PT. Followers can catch all action live on ESPN network – don't miss what promises be thrilling contest!

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