The Kings' Defense Was Relentless. It Still Wasn't Enough to Survive Round 1.

The Los Angeles Kings are heading into the offseason after getting bounced in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the film doesn't lie: their goaltending and defensive structure were rock solid all season long. But sometimes, you can do everything right and still go home empty-handed.

Goaltending Held Up Its End of the Bargain

During the regular season, the Kings got exactly what they needed from their net. Darcy Kuemper finished with a 19-14-15 record and a .891 save percentage. Anton Forsberg chipped in with a 16-12-5 mark and a .910 save percentage. When the playoffs arrived, Forsberg got the call and delivered, posting a .922 save percentage even in defeat. That's the kind of performance you need when you're trying to claw your way into the playoffs as the final Western Conference wild-card spot. The problem? Sometimes excellent goaltending and defense just isn't enough.

The Defense Smothered Opponents All Season

LA's defensive identity was built to suffocate. They finished in the top three in team save percentage in 5-on-5 play, a metric that matters more than you'd think. They were also top 10 or just outside the top 10 when measuring shots allowed, scoring chances allowed, and high-danger chances allowed. That formula kept them in almost every single game, staying within a goal for the majority of their playoff series.

Looking Ahead to Summer Moves

The Kings are sitting with $18.5 million in projected cap space and a solid collection of draft picks, including a 1st, 2nd, two 2nds, a 3rd, 4th, 5th, two 6ths, and a 7th rounder. They'll have the chance to reload this summer and take another crack at it next season. The blueprint is there. Now they need to find the firepower to match it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.