Kings Remain Offensively Challenged

from Elliotte Friedman of CBC, “The important thing is that we have this kid locked in for eight years. I just want to go win Cups.”

-Kings Governor Tim Leiweke, Sept. 29/11, the day Drew Doughty was signed

Los Angeles has until 2019 to grab those multiple championships under Doughty’s current contract (quote courtesy of “Kings Insider” reporter Rich Hammond), but success in Year I is definitely endangered. California’s seniormost NHL team wakes up Monday outside a playoff position, dropping out of the West’s Top Eight with a 1-0 loss to Calgary on Saturday.

The major problem? A flaccid offence—rock-bottom in the NHL with just 124 goals. This is not a good omen. The Kings are on pace for a total of 172 and the last club to reach the playoffs with a total that low no longer exists. The 1970 Oakland Seals (LA’s extinct expansion brother) made it with 169. (The 1995 lockout-shortened season is discounted.)

The last time a team with the fewest scores made the postseason was the 1989 Vancouver Canucks, although two recent teams were close. The 2010 Bruins were 29th and the 2008 Ducks 28th. But it’s generally not a recipe for success.
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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/kings_remain_offensively_challenged/

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