Last year, the Kings tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning with the fewest points (71) in the NHL. The new Lightning owners opened the vault to sign six premium free agents and hire Barry Melrose out of the booth. The Kings pretty much stood pat and will continue to roll with a roster of mostly unproven experienced talent and rookies.

 

The Kings do have some kids that can play, especially at forward. American Dustin Brown led the way with 33 goals. Anze Kopitar was just one back, lighting the lamp 32 times and leading the team with 77 points. Alexander Frolov chipped in with 23 goals and 43 assists.

 

Defensively, LA is arguably the worst in the league. Despite King goalies bei ng fifth in save percentage, LA still was just 28th in the league giving up 3.21 goals per game. LA was horrific killing off penalties (30th, 77%) which is not surprising seeing as King forwards win just 47% (27th) of their faceoffs.

 

Two King’s youngsters that could have breakout years in 2008-2009 are Center Brian Boyle and Swede Goalie Erik Ersberg. Boyle is a big physical player that put the biscuit in the basket four times in eight games while Ersberg went 6-5 in 14 chances with a 2.48 GAA and a .921 save percentage.

 

You would think that after being last in points last year, there would be nowhere to go but up. Sadly, not so for the Kings. LA is the equivalent of the Kansas City Chiefs playing in the NFC East as they languish in the same division as killers San Jose, Anaheim, Dallas, and a vastly improved Phoenix Coyote outfit.

 

The Kings have been bad for a while, very bad. Their 32 wins last year was second fewest in the league but five better than 2007 and four better than 2004. The Kings will be life and death to scratch out 30 wins this year and the UNDER 77.5 looks like easy money.