Quick sets the pace for Kings on the road

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The Kings take on the New York Islanders Tuesday night in New York and then head back to L.A. for three games: the Calgary Flames on Thursday, the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and Atlanta on Monday.

They are only a few points out of the playoffs, though things can change quickly in the NHL this time of year. Still, the Kings showed a lot by beating the Ottawa Senators, the red-hot Washington Capitals (in the above video) and the New Jersey Devils -- the latter being two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.

Although he has played in only 18 games, goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped 95 of 100 shots in posting those three road victories. He has a goals-against average of 2.38 in those 18 games and a .920 save percentage, according to the stats kept by NHL.com.

But there are weaknesses, of course. In games in which the Kings scored first, they have a .690 winning percentage (14th in the league). In games in which their opponent scored first, the Kings are a woeful .136 (28th in the league).

In the penalty kill, however, where the Kings in previous seasons have ranked near the bottom, they are ninth in the league with 82.5% success rate.

Another area they need to improve in? Scoring first and then holding that lead. They are averaging 2.6 goals per game, but allowed 2.7 goals per game. Their weakest period for scoring is the first with just 38 goals in 53 games, ranking them 24th out of 30 teams. They seem to be at their best in the second period with 51 goals, ranking them 18th. And the third period? The goals allowed in crunch time puts them in 15th place -- 51 goals.

-- Debbie Goffa