Plenty of thoughts on the first half of this season of Kings hockey but first and foremost here's the lay of the land according to the numbers:
Overall record 22-13-6 50 pts on pace for 100 points 0.610 by percentage
Home 12-6-2
Away 10-7-4
The split home and away has been even, 0.650 at home vs 0.571 on the road. You folks going to the games keep doing what you're doing. It seems to have them playing better
By divisions
Vs the Pacific 6-4-2 14 of 24 points to date 0.583 by percentage
Vs the Central 8-2-2 18 of 24 points to date 0.750 by percentage
Vs the Eastern Conference 8-7-2 18 of 34 points to date 0.529 by percentage
Instead of the Eastern conference giving rise to the team as a place to bank points, this year it seems to be the central. Thankfully they've righted some of the ship against the pacific with 4 straight wins to make that record look respectable.
Specialty teams
Power play
The kings have been awarded the most power play opportunities in the league, and are 7th overall in PP opportunities per game at 3.54. They've scored 34 ppg's and are 12th by percentage. To put it bluntly we see them on the PP a lot and they are a top third team in terms of results. Good thing too since they've also given up the most shorties in the league.
Penalty kill:
The kings have been short handed the 7th most times in the league at 144, given up 40 ppg's and are ranked 28th by percentage. None of those stats are good, improving any of them would cut down on the stat Faust loves to trot out of "giving up 1 ppg against a game". It would also have immediate results to the bottom line
5v5 play
Raw numbers the kings have scored 83 and given up 80 goals at 5 v 5 conditions. Basically instead of that -5 number in goal differential you see they're truly a plus team at evens. For reference the league average is 75 goals for and 75 goals against. The kings play games with more goals, which I think everyone agrees checks out.
Those are the raw stats with very minor commentary on each typical macro stat teams would be evaluated on. I didn't include the goalie stats since they are so individualistic. I'm still formulating my thoughts on what this team is a this point. My preseason prediction was that they would regress slightly from last seasons point total but possibly play better hockey. Right now they are on track to surpass last seasons point total and i'm not sure I'm yet in the "playing better hockey" camp. Curious anyone elses thoughts while I flesh out mine.
Overall record 22-13-6 50 pts on pace for 100 points 0.610 by percentage
Home 12-6-2
Away 10-7-4
The split home and away has been even, 0.650 at home vs 0.571 on the road. You folks going to the games keep doing what you're doing. It seems to have them playing better
By divisions
Vs the Pacific 6-4-2 14 of 24 points to date 0.583 by percentage
Vs the Central 8-2-2 18 of 24 points to date 0.750 by percentage
Vs the Eastern Conference 8-7-2 18 of 34 points to date 0.529 by percentage
Instead of the Eastern conference giving rise to the team as a place to bank points, this year it seems to be the central. Thankfully they've righted some of the ship against the pacific with 4 straight wins to make that record look respectable.
Specialty teams
Power play
The kings have been awarded the most power play opportunities in the league, and are 7th overall in PP opportunities per game at 3.54. They've scored 34 ppg's and are 12th by percentage. To put it bluntly we see them on the PP a lot and they are a top third team in terms of results. Good thing too since they've also given up the most shorties in the league.
Penalty kill:
The kings have been short handed the 7th most times in the league at 144, given up 40 ppg's and are ranked 28th by percentage. None of those stats are good, improving any of them would cut down on the stat Faust loves to trot out of "giving up 1 ppg against a game". It would also have immediate results to the bottom line
5v5 play
Raw numbers the kings have scored 83 and given up 80 goals at 5 v 5 conditions. Basically instead of that -5 number in goal differential you see they're truly a plus team at evens. For reference the league average is 75 goals for and 75 goals against. The kings play games with more goals, which I think everyone agrees checks out.
Those are the raw stats with very minor commentary on each typical macro stat teams would be evaluated on. I didn't include the goalie stats since they are so individualistic. I'm still formulating my thoughts on what this team is a this point. My preseason prediction was that they would regress slightly from last seasons point total but possibly play better hockey. Right now they are on track to surpass last seasons point total and i'm not sure I'm yet in the "playing better hockey" camp. Curious anyone elses thoughts while I flesh out mine.