The conclusion of the regular-season series last weekend between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks marked another chapter in the ongoing saga of these two NHL teams. The Kings secured their spot in the playoffs for the third consecutive season by claiming victory over the Ducks, an accomplishment that continues to build on the team's recent history of success. On the other hand, the Ducks have found themselves on the outside looking in, missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, a streak that fans and players alike are eager to break.
Rival Paths
The paths taken by the Kings and Ducks this season have been markedly different, influenced by factors ranging from injuries to individual player performances. Despite the trials, the Kings rallied, demonstrating resilience and depth. Injuries, notably those to key figures like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, did not derail their campaign. Instead, the team found strength in adversity, with players such as Trevor Moore, Adrian Kempe, and Kevin Fiala stepping up to fill the void, backed by Cam Talbot's solid performance in goal.
Conversely, the Anaheim Ducks' season was marred by significant injuries that sidelined pivotal figures, including Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Alex Joseph Killorn, and John Gibson, for extended periods. These absences played a substantial role in the Ducks' struggles, hindering their ability to compete consistently at a high level.
Despite the disparities in their seasons, the proximity in the level of talent and potential between the two teams suggests that the margin for success or failure is finer than it may appear. Luck, while an element of the sport, has shone more favorably on the Kings, particularly in the health and performance of their core players.
The Coaching Factor
The mid-season appointment of Jim Hiller as the Kings' interim coach marked a turning point for the team. Hiller, acknowledging the fortuitous timing of his arrival, managed to steer the team back on track. The Kings experienced a remarkable upturn in form post the mid-season break, a resurgence that can be credited to Hiller's guidance and a strategic decision to rely on the squad's depth, opting against major moves at the trade deadline in anticipation of recovering injured players.
On the other side, the Ducks made clear their intention to look towards the future, acquiring Ben Meyers and Jan Mysak in trades aimed at enhancing their lineup for the coming seasons. Despite these efforts, and the talents of the new additions, the Ducks only managed three wins post-trade deadline, a reflection of the challenges still facing the team as they build towards competitiveness.
Quotes of Determination
"It's a challenging game," Kings President Luc Robitaille remarked, encapsulating the unpredictable and often harsh nature of hockey, where the difference between victory and defeat can hinge on the narrowest of margins. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek echoed this sentiment, highlighting luck as an inherent factor in the sport, but also pointing out the critical impact of injuries. "It's not optimal when your top players are out," Verbeek said, accentuating the difficulties faced by the Ducks this season due to the absence of key team members.
Robitaille further illuminated the importance of veteran players like Kopitar and Doughty, whose contributions remain pivotal to the Kings' successes. "If you'd say what you are lucky about, it's more that Kopitar and Doughty are still really important players on our team,” he emphasized. Verbeek also lamented the compounded challenge of having his best players sidelined, a factor that undoubtedly influenced the Ducks’ performance. "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," Verbeek expressed, underlining the disrupted synergy within his team.
Looking Forward
As the Kings prepare to face the Oilers in the postseason, their narrative is one of overcoming adversity, reflecting a team that has found ways to win despite challenges. The Ducks, while facing another year without playoff hockey, are focusing on rebuilding and realigning, with aspirations of returning stronger and more competitive.
The story of these two teams, interwoven with triumphs and trials, exemplifies the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of hockey—a sport where fortunes can change with the drop of a puck. As both teams look to the future, the commitment to success remains undiminished, promising more thrilling chapters in the seasons to come.