The Los Angeles Kings have put their 5-on-3 unit back under the microscope after back-to-back 2-1 defeats in which they failed to score with extended two-man advantage time. Adrian Kempe did not hide his frustration, calling the recent execution "not good enough" and "unacceptable" as the Kings worked on the situation today.
That attention makes sense. The Kings have already spent two minutes and 51 seconds on 5-on-3 opportunities this season without scoring, a number that stands out in tight games where one power-play goal can change everything. In that kind of margin, missing chances when the ice is tilted in your favour can be costly.
Kempe wants the basics sharpened
Kempe said the issue is less about complex strategy and more about getting the simple details right. "Second time we had a 5-on-3 this season. We’ve got to dial it in, move the puck more and get some shots on net. Those are basic things, but something we’ve got to do," he said.
That is the right tone for a team trying to turn close losses into points. On a 5-on-3, the advantage is usually too good to waste, even if the time does not last a full two minutes. The Kings know that better than most right now.
What happened against Florida and Vegas?
The recent evidence explains why the Kings are treating this as a priority. Against Florida, they got into the zone cleanly with possession once on four 5-on-3 entry attempts. Against Vegas, they established possession on all four 5-on-3 sequences, but still came away empty.
Those numbers underline the problem. Entry quality was better against Vegas, but possession alone was not enough. The Kings need quicker puck movement, more shooting lanes and a stronger finish once they are set up.
For a team that has already been involved in several one-goal games, that sort of improvement could make a real difference. The next question is whether the work today shows up the next time the Kings are handed a man advantage that should tilt a game in their favour. For more on the lineup response around the team, see Kings Vs Sharks: LA Kings expected to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen as Peter Laviolette looks for response.
