Los Angeles Kings Tickets

When it comes to the playoff picture in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings are on the outside looking in.

The Kings are currently tied for third place in the Pacific Division but don't have the total points necessary to really put themselves in the postseason hunt.

A big problem for Los Angeles this year has been their play in the first period. The Kings are typically slow-starters, which has forced them to play from behind after poor efforts in the first period.

The team has given up 52 goals in the first period while scoring just 44. They tend to play better in the second period, scoring 57 goals while allowing 52.

Offense has been the biggest issue for the Kings, who play in the more open Western Conference. If you can't put goals on the board out West, you aren't likely to win too many games.

Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 50 points, as well as assists with 31. Alexander Frolov leads the club with 25 goals.

While the offense has struggled, the defense has held its own. The goaltending play has been solid from both the starter and the backups.

Jon Quick and Erik Ersberg has split time in the net, with the former playing in just one more game.

Quick is 12-8 with a 2.58 goals against average and a 91 percent save percentage. Ersberg is 8-8 with a 2.56 goals against average but a save percentage just below 90. Jason LaBarbera has seen action as well, but is the least effective of the three goalies.

The Kings aren't completely out of it yet, but they aren't far from it. Unless the Kings are able to mount some type of historic, late-season push, it's looking like they are already starting to prepare for next year.