Fansided

NHL Playoffs 2016: 5 reasons Los Angeles Kings can win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Defense wins Championships

It is said in the NFL that defense wins championships. That is true in the NHL as well, as recent Stanley Cup winners have excelled at limiting their opponents’ scoring chances. No team in the NHL except perhaps the Anaheim Ducks is better defensively than the Los Angeles Kings. It’s hard to score if you can’t generate scoring chances.

Los Angeles suffocates offenses with their relentless pressure. It all starts with Drew Doughty. While Doughty shouldn’t win the Norris Trophy this season, if the Norris went to the best pure defenseman, it would be very difficult to make a case against Doughty. Despite playing over 25 minutes a night against his opponents’ toughest competition, few defensemen make as positive of an impact in terms of suppressing shot attempts as Doughty.

Alec Martinez, Jake Muzzin, Brayden McNabb, and Luke Schenn join Doughty to form one of the stingiest blue line cores in the NHL. They aren’t the best at generating offense, but they generate enough offense to help their forwards. Doughty, Martinez, and Muzzin are battle tested and have each stepped up in the playoffs when called upon. Should the Kings win another Stanley Cup, it will be because of their relentless defense.

Home/Los Angeles Kings