Scoring the puck offensively in the zone has been a major issue for the active roster lineup for interim head coach DJ Smith and the Los Angeles Kings this postseason in the playoffs this past week on the ice vs. the Colorado Avalanche in the West. After the series' first three games in the postseason in the playoffs in the West this past week, the Kings have only averaged barely over one goal scored per game on the scoreboard in this past few games.
There are multiple lines in the active roster lineup for Smith and the Kings' coaching staff in the active roster lineup offensively that have struggled to score the puck in the zone and on the scoreboard on the ice this postseason in the playoffs this spring for the team. I think the blame could be spread around multiple players in the active roster lineup offensively this spring.
The Kings' first and third lines in the active roster lineup offensively in the zone this postseason in the playoffs haven't produced as expected this spring in this past week for the forward lines core group up front, registering a combined plus/minus rating below -8.
"As well as we've played, in my opinion, there's some guys that can play better. There's a few guys that I think can play better. Not for a lack of effort, (but) better execution."DJ Smith
A potential fix that has been pitched before late this week and this upcoming weekend in the postseason in the playoffs this spring is to change the active roster lineup offensively in the zone for Game 4 vs. Colorado in the West.
The Kings and Smith with the coaching staff could insert forwards Alex Turcotte and/or Taylor Ward and defenseman Jacob Moverare in the active roster lineup this postseason in the playoffs vs. Colorado. Turcotte and Ward have been skating in practice and in team drills for Smith and the Kings' coaching staff in this past week in the active roster lineup in the West.
Turcotte has experience playing in the active roster lineup offensively in the zone this past regular season in this past few months with the forward lines core group up front playing on a line with linemates center Scott Laughton and winger Jared Wright.
Alex Turcotte and Taylor Ward can help to boost the forechecking and scoring offensively in the zone this postseason in the playoffs for the Los Angeles Kings
A former fifth overall pick in the top five of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft lottery, Turcotte was a first-round draft pick because of his skill and playmaking ability on both ends of the ice offensively for the Kings. And while Turcotte hasn't lived up to the billing of a top five pick in the NHL Draft lottery in the late 2010s decade over five years ago, he has contributed effectively to the active roster lineup at the center position for the Kings in this past couple of regular seasons in the West in the Pacific Division.
While it might not necessarily be an immediate game changer this postseason in the playoffs for Smith and the Kings and the coaching staff late this week and this upcoming weekend to get Wright out of the active roster lineup, it could still help make an impact on the offensive production in the zone late this month in April in the West vs. Colorado.