D.J. Smith’s Kings Show Promise Despite Loss to Avalanche

D.J. Smith’s debut as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings ended in a 4-2 defeat against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. Despite the unfavorable score, the Kings displayed a new energy on the ice that hinted at potential growth under Smith’s leadership.

Three players made their NHL debuts during the game: defenseman Angus Booth, right winger Jared Wright, and center Kenny Connors. These newcomers, who had been honing their skills with the AHL’s Ontario Reign this season, became the first Kings drafted in 2022 or later to step onto the NHL stage. Their presence underscored Smith’s trust in the younger players within the organization, even as the Kings faced several injuries.

The infusion of youth not only altered the Kings’ lineup on paper but also transformed their on-ice performance. While the team’s defense-first mentality remained intact, there was a noticeable increase in aggression, particularly in their forechecking. The Kings exhibited a newfound speed on the rush, signaling a shift in their approach to the game.

“What we wanted to establish is a sense of work ethic, a sense of physicality, a sense of we’re not going to sit back, we’re going to come get you,” Smith said in his post-game remarks. He acknowledged the need for points but emphasized the importance of effort. “Now, it didn’t look good early. We made some mistakes, we gave up too many odd man rushes, but what you saw from that group is a real effort to forecheck, a real effort to get pucks back, to hunt, to hit people, and you’re going to see that the rest of the way.”

Smith’s willingness to adjust the lineup during the game was also evident. Alex Laferriere began on the right wing, flanked by Alex Turcotte and Warren Foegele, but was later moved to center with Corey Perry taking his place on the right. The distribution of ice time was relatively balanced among the forwards, with Anze Kopitar’s line, featuring Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe, positively influencing the game despite not scoring at even strength.

The Kings’ bottom six forwards also saw increased ice time in the latter stages of the game, asserting their physical presence, especially the fourth line comprised of Samuel Helenius, Jeff Malott, and Taylor Ward. While Smith noted that moral victories are no longer an option, the promising developments from his first game suggest a foundation for future success.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.