The Los Angeles Kings have struggled recently, losing three of their last four games. Despite a strong start to the season at home with a record of 5-2-1, their inconsistent performances have hindered their ability to secure victories. David Rittich made 18 saves in the loss to Buffalo, as the Kings were unable to capitalize on opportunities, particularly on the power play.

David Rittich made 18 saves in the loss against Buffalo, as the Kings struggled to maintain consistency, resulting in three losses in their last four games.

Jim Hiller has successfully shifted the Los Angeles Kings away from a conservative 1-3-1 system, injecting more excitement into their gameplay. While the team has shown inconsistency, there are no indications of drastic changes on the horizon, suggesting that Hiller's approach is being positively received.

Darcy Kuemper won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, despite skepticism about his abilities. His past success highlights the Avalanche's reliance on goaltending depth, which has become a concern as they seek to upgrade their current situation in net.

Alex Laferriere has emerged as a surprising offensive force for the Kings, currently leading the team in scoring with 15 points in 19 games after finishing last season with 23 points in 81 games. At just 23 years old, he is showing significant improvement, particularly with his shot and aggressive play style, which includes going to the net and creating traffic. While he is on pace for an impressive goal tally, experts caution that he is not a 46-goal scorer and emphasize the need for him to maintain consistency. As he approaches restricted free agency next summer, discussions about a contract extension are not yet underway, but the Kings are aware of his potential and will likely seek to secure him at a fair price, given their control over his contract status.