5 reasons why Los Angeles Kings will win Stanley Cup

4. By the numbers

More than anything else, the veteran grit and never say die attitude has begun to rub off on to the rest of the newcomers and offseason additions. The Kings are allowing 27 shots against average over their last 12 games, which is four shots per game less than their season average of 31. The goals per game averages are up nearly a full goal per game in the last month, so in addition to the tightening on the defensive end the goals per game averages are up.

Anze Kopitar is having a career year with 35 goals and 57 assists, and discussions are starting to center around Hart Trophy considerations. Dustin Brown is also having what some would call a resurgence on the offensive side, and, frankly it’s been consistent throughout the entire season his 28 goals and 33 assists is his best goal out put since 2010-11. If you’re looking at the box scores and see Kopitar or Brown, they are generally together; add in Jeff Carter, who missed nearly the entire season and has simply been on fire with 13 goals and 8 assists in just 24 games. The production is there by the numbers and it goes without saying that when Drew Doughty, who won the Norris Trophy in 2016, plays with the energy and swagger that earned him that award this year’s Kings team by the numbers looks to be better than those Cup teams from the past two runs.