Doughty, meanwhile, has settled back into that high-usage role. When he\u2019s healthy, he\u2019s out there in every situation: power play, penalty kill, last minute of periods. He\u2019s not turning heads like his Norris Trophy-winning peak, but he doesn\u2019t have to. What the Kings need from him now is control, especially clean exits and a little edge when games become rough. However, if the Kings were to win their third Cup, it wouldn\u2019t be due to the last two remaining 2012 and 2014 champions. It would be due to the younger up-and-coming generation, pushing this team forward.<\/p>\n
![\"Los](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kings-Celebrate-4-1200x800.jpg\")
Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko, left wing Kevin Fiala, center Anze Kopitar, right wing Adrian Kempe, and defenseman Drew Doughty celebrate after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks (Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
Kevin Fiala <\/a>being out of the lineup for the season and the recent acquisition of Artemi Panarin have changed the Kings\u2019 narrative overnight. Fiala was the Kings\u2019 primary engine<\/a> for zone entries and the creative pulse of a power play that had finally found its rhythm. Without Fiala, the Kings lose that mismatch advantage. Before his leg surgery, he sat second on the team with 40 points and 18 goals. While the team have historically relied on a \u201cbalanced scoring attack\u201d approach, the playoffs are often decided by elite talent that can produce a goal out of nothing.<\/p>\n Related: NHL Rumours: Fiala Injury Fallout, Wallstedt to Senators & Kane Deal Coming<\/a><\/p>\n To win it all, Panarin must lead the offensive charge, especially with one of their leading stars sidelined. If Panarin can ignite the power play, which struggled at a dismal 17.9% last season<\/a> and provide a consistent scoring threat alongside Adrian Kempe, the Kings will finally have the offensive strength to match up against the Western Conference\u2019s relentless offenses.<\/p>\n Could Kuemper Be the Solution?<\/p>\n The Kings\u2019 identity remains firmly rooted in their defense. They consistently rank among the league leaders in limiting shots and expected goals against.<\/a> However, defensive structure only goes as far as the man in the crease. <\/p>\n Darcy Kuemper had an impeccable 2024\u201325 season, and he remains the backbone of the team\u2019s championship aspirations. In the postseason, Kuemper must be more than just \u201csolid.\u201d He needs to provide the kind of elite goaltending that Jonathan Quick delivered during the 2012 run. With veteran backups like Anton Forsberg and a blue line bolstered by the reliable Doughty and Mikey Anderson, the Kings have the roster to shut down opponents. If they can keep their goals-against average under 2.50 through four rounds, they become nearly impossible to beat.<\/p>\n Kings Must Overcome the Edmonton Oilers First<\/p>\n The biggest psychological hurdle for this group is the Edmonton Oilers. After four consecutive first-round exits at the hands of Connor McDavid and his teammates, the Kings must prove they can neutralize the world\u2019s best players in a seven-game series. The strategy for success involves using their depth lineup,<\/a> specifically veterans like Corey Perry and Joel Armia, to contain the Oilers\u2019 talent. Winning a third Cup likely requires going through Edmonton or the Vegas Golden Knights, both powerhouse contenders built on depth and difference-makers. <\/p>\n The Coming Transition That Will Define L.A.\u2019s Future <\/p>\n The emotional weight of Kopitar\u2019s final season is more than just a headline; it is the pulse of the Kings\u2019 locker room. As the 2026 postseason nears, that same \u201cwin-it-for-the-captain\u201d energy is palpable in Los Angeles. With Doughty still logging elite minutes on the top pair and the next generation, led by Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke, the roster possesses a rare and strong synergy. The path to the Cup requires this exact blend of veteran poise and youthful intensity. If the \u201ckids\u201d can provide the necessary secondary scoring while the veterans navigate the high-pressure moments, the Kings transform from mere playoff participants into legitimate title threats.<\/p>\n The championship window is certainly narrowing, but it hasn\u2019t slammed shut just yet. If the front office can lean on their defining defensive identity with Panarin\u2019s offensive technique and Kuemper\u2019s stability in net, the crown will return to the coast for the third time in franchise history.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"SUBSCRIBE](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Kings_Banner-1200x122.jpg\")
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