Kings Notes:
LA's passing throughout the season has been some of the best in the league, especially in the defensive zone, leading the league in successful passes (11,521) and passing success rate (77.2%). The Kings' successful zone passing and zone passing success percentage rates in the offensive (OZ), defensive (DZ) and neutral zones (NZ) all place top-five in the league. Among defensive zone passing, no team has a better DZ outlet pass success rate than LA (73.9%) while their DZ stretch pass success rate places third overall (67.8%).
Over their last two games, the Kings have held the Calgary Flames (4) and Vancouver Canucks (3) to under five shots on goal in the first period. Through 71 games this season, the Kings have allowed a collective 598 first period shots, the second-lowest in the league behind Carolina (537). Overall, the Kings have had consistent success in limiting shots against, allowing 1,984 shots so far this season for the third-fewest in the league while their overall shot differential of +336 places fifth.
The Kings have allowed two or fewer goals in each of their last nine games, dating back to the beginning of the month. Since March 1, the team has allowed 16 goals for a 1.75 goals against-per-game (GA/GP) rate, both of which are the lowest in the league during that time. LA's current 1.78 GA/GP is the lowest it has been in any month since the season started. Per natural stat trick, the Kings' save percentage has also climbed to tops in the league since February. The Kings' .882 save percentage (SV%) in the last month ranked 26th in the league while their current .928 SV% so far in March the highest in the league.
In nine games with the Kings, defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov has registered four points (1-3=4), a plus-seven rating, 12 shots, eight hits, 13 blocked shots and two takeaways. Only Mikey Anderson (21) and Matt Roy (19) have more blocked shots on the team since his Kings debut on March 2. No skater in the league has more successful neutral zone (NZ) stick checks this season than Gavrikov's 44.
Captain Anze Kopitar recorded his 280th career multi-point game on Monday vs. Calgary (0-2=2), moving him one multi-point effort shy of tying Dave Taylor (281) for the fourth-most in Kings history. Kopitar's two assists Monday marked his 408th and 409th career home assists. Only Marcel Dionne (412) has tallied more helpers at home in a Kings jersey than Kopitar.
The Kings power play ranks 6th in the NHL (24.4%).
The Kings penalty kill ranks 24th in the NHL (75.8%).
The Kings are 6th in faceoff win percentage (53.0%).
Jets Notes:
The Jets (85 pts, 73 games) currently hold the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot, trailing the Seattle Kraken (86 pts, 71 games) by one point with two games less in hand and lead the ninth-seeded Nashville Predators (80 pts, 70 games) by by five points with three less games in hand.
The Jets are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games and have a 3.6 GAA in those five loses.
Josh Morrissey ranks 2nd in the NHL among defensemen in points. Morrissey has tallied 69 points (15-54=69) in 71 games.
The Jets power play ranks 22nd in the NHL (19.7%).
The Jets penalty kill ranks 3rd in the NHL (83.4%).
The Jets are 22nd in faceoff win percentage (48.8%).
Who to Watch:
Leading goalscorer for the Kings Adrian Kempe, who is coming off of his fourth three-point (2-1=3) game of the season. Kempe, who has 34 goals on the season is just one goal away from matching his career-high 35 goals from the 2021-22 season. Kempe surpassed his career-high 54 points set last season on Monday as the Swede is now up to 55 points (31-24=55) in 71 games.
Leading scorer for the Jets Kyle Connor, who has recorded 74 points (28-46=74) in 73 games this season. Connor is currently tied for his career-high in assists with 46 helpers.
