Kings vs. Vegas Preview

Playoffs are here! With so many similarities between both the 2012 and 2014 season, the Kings have the potential to go deep with their Cup run. But they’ll have to go through Vegas first, who unpredictably did quite well in the regular season. Let’s start with the stats then move onto that X-Factor stuff.

Obviously the Knights look better on paper. They finished top of the division, had more goals and surprised everybody. They were much better in the first period (which will come as no surprise to any Kings fan, who readily should have started watching every game in the second period.) They had solid second periods but where the Kings excelled (best goal differential in the league) was the third period. While their comeback percentage was lower than Vegas actual goals scored were higher, so assuming the Kings can wake up in time for the first period come playoffs, that will play in their favor. The Kings PK was also best in the league and didn’t differ too much between home and away games, so they were consistent. That they don’t want to do is give the Knights too many power plays at home, that’s statistically a strength of theirs. Their most effective shots were wrist shots and snapshots, whereas the Kings 35 tip-ins show that their “park at the net” strategy has been very effective for them.