Three Los Angeles Kings X-Factors For The Stanley Cup Playoffs

It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Kings are the underdog against Presidents’ Trophy winners, the Colorado Avalanche. In fact, they are probably the heaviest underdog across all first-round series matchups in these Stanley Cup playoffs.

Therefore, the Kings will need their best and key players to step up in a big way and perform even better than they did in the regular season.

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Multiple players on the Kings’ roster will be deemed important players for the playoffs. But in terms of those that could really turn the series in Los Angeles’ favor, here are three playoff X-factors for the Kings in this first round, and the entirety of the post-season.

The Kings acquiring Artemi Panarin in February was likely the headline of the franchise in terms of one of the biggest moments of the season. And now that Los Angeles was able to squeeze into the playoffs, Panarin can prove why he’s regarded as highly as he is.

Based on his skill level and the offensive production he’s provided throughout his NHL career, he should be looked at as a leader on this team for his on-ice performance. In the playoffs, that’s exactly what the Kings will need from their leading scorer: scoring.

NHL 26 Predicts A Woeful Stanley Cup Playoff Result For The Los Angeles Kings EA Sports NHL 26 provided the results of its annual Stanley Cup playoffs simulation, and it doesn’t look pretty for the Los Angeles Kings in their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.

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Since joining the Kings, Panarin has featured in 26 regular-season games, scoring nine goals and 27 points.

Panarin last made a playoff appearance in 2023-24 when the New York Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference final. He tallied 15 points in 16 games, made up of five goals and 10 assists.

The 34-year-old left winger has had good and bad playoff campaigns, but coming up against the league’s best team, the Kings will need Panarin at…