There isn’t a query that the Kings’ season has been a head scratcher to this point. Nonetheless, they’re in remarkably fine condition record-wise to begin the 12 months. They’re a curious 6-3-2, standing one win away from taking the lead again within the division from the Vegas Golden Knights.
Talking of the Knights, the Kings jumped on them early of their second assembly this season regardless of their development of getting lit up by elite NHL groups this season. The primary assembly was a thumping. Vegas cruised to 3-0 first interval, by no means trying again, ending the sport 6-1. The tides turned because the Kings have been those who put six this time to proceed bolstering the perfect home-ice report within the league since Jim Hiller took over.
In the course of the Vegas recreation and in actuality this season, the largest takeaway is the continued stellar play from Alex Turcotte.
The highlight must be on Turcotte. He has been all the things and extra this 12 months to this franchise. The Kings have been spotty at finest since their post-fallout in 2017-18, a whole cycle of drafting, getting ready, and implementing younger facilities into the lineup to remain. Recall that the highlight was not on Turcotte to begin off this season however reserved for younger Quinton Byfield to begin his pathway to turning into the 1C.
Byfield has not fully grabbed onto the middle function and located himself again at wing subsequent to Kopitar, the place he discovered great manufacturing final season.
Turcotte’s breakthrough to this point at middle afforded that possibility. It has even pushed that possibility open to the extent that he was moved to Byfield’s spot on the highest wing and Byfield again to middle in opposition to Vegas, the place each gamers regarded again at dwelling regardless of a turnover by Byfield that led to the primary aim for Vegas.
His on-ice aim differential is +7, behind solely the opposite Alex Laferriere for the staff lead. He additionally trails Vladislav Gavrikov for the staff lead in on-ice anticipated aim differential with 3.6.
In 11 video games, Turcotte has one aim and three assists, a sterling +7, and a mean simply north of 12 minutes an evening in TOI. His faceoff proportion is a dismal 39.4%, however that’s anticipated from a younger participant establishing himself as a middle on this powerful league. If Turcotte can maintain the sort of affect, the participant the Kings first envisioned after they took him fifth general in 2019 could come to fruition.
Turcotte’s sturdy begin is not only a scorching subject in LA. Not too long ago, on The Daily Faceoff, Turcotte was mentioned at size by Prospect Analyst Steven Ellis:
“However from there, all of the accidents, final 12 months I imagine was the primary time he is performed 50 video games since his junior profession. That is a very long time in the past at this level once you take a look at a man that is 23 years outdated. I believe this 12 months he is wholesome, he is trying good, he is getting these alternatives. He is not enjoying a ton of ice-time proper now however he is going on the market and getting fairly favorable matchups and the factors are beginning to present. That is sort of a make it or break it 12 months, however the way in which he is enjoying proper now, we’re somebody who might go on the market and get 50 factors this 12 months, which might be large for each him, and the LA Kings.”
Alex Turcotte is having a strong begin y’all! 🦡
– fifth in 5v5 Factors/60 on LA (1.86)
– 1st in 5v5 xGF/60 on LA (3.61)
– fifth in 5v5 xGA/60 on LA (1.89)Solely enjoying 11:55 a recreation, however after all of the accidents, nice to see him profiting from it. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/DiEGlIJInk
— Nathan “Grav” Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) October 30, 2024
Turcotte has overcome some unbelievable well being boundaries upon entry into the NHL and is trying as sharp as ever. His early returns are wonderful, even when small sample-sized, in what’s turning into an extremely odd begin to the season for the Kings.
