The Kings and Ducks concluded their regular-season series on a contrasting note last weekend.
With a triumph against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles secured its third consecutive playoff appearance.
This year marked the sixth consecutive time Anaheim fell short of making it to the playoffs, a disappointing feat for the team and its fans.
The Kings' recent success is a result of their resilience in overcoming injuries and strong performances from key players.
For the Ducks, it has been a season marred by significant injuries to top performers that hampered their progress.
Despite the disparity between the two teams, the gap isn't as wide as it seems.
"It's a challenging game," stated Kings President Luc Robitaille.
According to Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, luck is one factor in every team's success and failure.
Where Luck Weighs In
Both executives acknowledge that luck plays a role but emphasize it's not the sole determinant.
The Kings are fortunate to have veteran leaders Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty performing at a high level.
The Ducks, conversely, have been hindered by extended absences of Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Alex Joseph Killorn, and John Gibson.
"It's not optimal when your top players are out," noted Verbeek, who took charge as general manager two years ago.
If you'd say what are you lucky about, it's more that Kopitar and Doughty are still really important players on our team.
Luc Robitaille
The setbacks of Johan Viktor Arvidsson, Carl Grundstrom, and Michael Lyle Anderson's injuries haven't stopped the Kings, as they have continued to shine with impressive performances by Kopitar (26 goals, 70 points) and Doughty (15 goals, 50 points).
A significant portion of the team's success can be attributed to Trevor Moore, Adrian Kempe, and Kevin Fiala, who have scored 86 goals and registered 114 assists collectively. Veteran goaltender Cam Talbot has excelled in his role as well.
The Hiller Difference
A turning point for the Kings came when they relieved Todd McLellan of his coaching duties in early February and appointed Jim Hiller as interim coach.
In their recent run of games, Los Angeles has achieved victory in 20 instances and qualified for the playoffs with a record of 20 wins from 32 games.
Following Jim Hiller's appointment as interim coach for the Kings in early February, the team experienced a remarkable transformation, winning 20 of 32 games and securing a playoff berth. However, Hiller is quick to point out that his coaching style did not single-handedly bring about this change. Instead, he attributes the success to the opportune timing of his arrival at the helm.
The Kings endured a significant slump in their form before the mid-season break, with a disappointing run of 14 losses in just 17 matches.
The Kings' remarkable transformation began after the All-Star break, as they posted a formidable 13-2-1 record at home.
The Kings' remarkable surge in performance during the final stretch of the regular season has sparked debate regarding their decision to forgo major acquisitions at the trade deadline.
Instead of pursuing external reinforcements at the trade deadline, the Kings placed their faith in the imminent recoveries of Arvidsson and Anderson.
It's not ideal when your best players aren't in the lineup — and they're not in the lineup together, which was the intended purpose.
Pat Verbeek
In an attempt to bolster their lineup for the future, the Ducks executed shrewd transactions at the trade deadline, securing the services of two up-and-coming talents - Ben Meyers and Jan Mysak - without disrupting the stability of their established roster.
Despite the additions of Ben Meyers and Jan Mysak at the trade deadline, Anaheim's performance has not shown marked improvement, as they have managed only three wins, thirteen losses, and two overtime defeats since then.
The postseason kicks off for the Kings with the approach of an intense showdown with the Oilers.
