The Los Angeles Kings are facing a significant challenge this season: a lack of goal-scoring that is impacting their performance and shrinking their margin for error. After a disappointing 2-1 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, the Kings' offensive struggles are becoming increasingly apparent.
Last season, the Kings boasted a respectable average of 3.04 goals per game, positioning them among the league's top offenses. However, this season has been a different story. Through 27 games, their scoring has plummeted to just 2.56 goals per game, ranking them 29th in the NHL. This offensive drought is a stark contrast to their performance last year and is raising concerns about the team's ability to compete effectively.
In their recent game against the Blackhawks, the Kings struggled to find the back of the net, managing only one goal. Trevor Moore scored the lone goal for Los Angeles, while Darcy Kuemper made 34 saves. The Blackhawks' goals came from Connor Bedard, extending his goal streak to three games, and Wyatt Kaiser. The Kings' inability to convert on their power play opportunities, going 0 for 5, further compounded their offensive woes.
The Kings have struggled to score more than two goals in seven of their last nine games. This consistent lack of offensive production is putting immense pressure on their defense and goaltending, leaving little room for error. As forward Warren Foegele admitted, the scoring slump has weighed heavily on the team.
The Kings' offensive struggles aren't limited to a single line or player. Several key forwards are underperforming, including Anze Kopitar, Alex Laferriere, Joel Armia, Trevor Moore, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Phillip Danault. Management is reportedly displeased with the lack of secondary scoring and may look to add more firepower before the trade deadline on March 6, 2026. Some players may be traded to make room for new talent.
The Kings' struggles extend to their home ice as well. They have a 3-4-3 home record, and their offense is producing just 2.00 goals per game at home, ranking them 31st in the NHL. The Kings were the best team on home ice last season, which makes their current home struggles even more concerning. In their ten home games, they have scored two goals or fewer in seven of them, highlighting a lack of finish and scoring droughts that have derailed their home performances.
With Anze Kopitar in his last year, the Kings are under pressure to improve their scoring and make a deep playoff run. The team may explore potential trades to bolster their offense and provide the scoring punch needed to compete with the league's top teams. As one hockey insider noted, the Kings are in a good position for the playoffs, but they need to add "extra fire" to their lineup to avoid another early exit.
