The LA Kings are off to a strong start this season with an 9-2-1 record and a spot as the number one ice hockey team in the Western Conference, which includes half of the teams in the league, and number 3 in the NHL. This can be partially accredited to recent changes in Kings coaching staff.

After the recent firing of the previous Head Coach Darryl Sutter, John Stevens was named head coach of the Kings. The 2017-2018 season is Stevens’ debut as head coach, but eighth season overall with the Kings, as he was previously assistant coach.

The Kings’ success can also be accredited to the recent recall of Adrien Kempe, whom the team drafted as a top prospect in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Swedish forward has racked up six goals and three assists in the only 12 games played so far in the regular season. Kempe is led by only two Kings players for most points this season, long time Kings veterans Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. With these impressive stats, Kempe is now one of the Kings’ most notable players to watch in this upcoming push for playoffs.

It should be noted that the Kings are yet to play many of the top teams in the league such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are currently number one in the league. Regardless, the Kings are expected to perform well this season.