Advertisement

Kings need to defy the Las Vegas oddsmakers

Share

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

Despite a maturing roster that includes the off-season acquisition of two veteran players, the Kings aren’t getting much love from the Las Vegas oddsmakers.

According to the bookies at the Las Vegas Hilton, the Kings will not qualify for the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to the Kings faithful -- even the players know they have to climb the ‘mountain ahead’ before they make the playoffs and earn some respect:

Advertisement

Still, I’m having a hard time imagining the Kings finishing 11th, behind teams such as Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers.

There’s definitely going to be another tight playoff race in the Western Conference this spring, but I like the Kings’ chances of making the postseason as long as they stay healthy (that means you, Jack Johnson) and find consistency in the Jonathan Quick-Jonathan Bernier-Erik Ersberg goaltending equation.

And if first-round pick Brayden Schenn keeps playing like he did Saturday night, the Kings might not have to wait a year to add another Dustin Brown-like player to their roster.

The bottom line is that the Kings need to make the playoffs this season. For years, Kings fans have gone into the season knowing their team had almost zero chance of making the postseason. Now, a perfect mix of hope and frustration has fans practically demanding a playoff berth. Luckily, Kings management is echoing the same feelings.

Snazzy commercials won’t cut it anymore -- only results will satisfy the hardcore fans.

Be sure to check out the Hilton’s Western Conference team-by-team breakdown (with 2009-10 points projection) after the jump.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. San Jose Sharks 107.5
2. Detroit Red Wings 106.5
3. Chicago Blackhawks 105.5
4. Ducks 96.5
5. Calgary Flames 96.5
6. Vancouver Canucks 96.5
7. St. Louis Blues 91.5
8. Dallas Stars / Edmonton Oilers (tie) 89.5

10. Minnesota Wild 88.5
11. Kings / Columbus BlueJackets (tie) 86.5
13. Nashville Predators 84.5
14. Colorado Avalanche / Phoenix Coyotes 72.5

-- Austin Knoblauch

Advertisement