The Los Angeles Kings were 16-5-4, first in the NHL in points percentage, and first in goal differential on Dec. 11. Everything under the hood checked out, and their results seemed sustainable. This was a team with the league-best expected goal differential and by a significant margin at that.

It all looked like a continuation of the team's progress in the 2022-23 season, which saw them turn into a solid playoff team primed to take its next step into contention. They had a strong core paired with a lot of young up-and-coming talent and a system that tilted the ice every night. What could go wrong?

Since then, they've won only seven of their last 23 games, playing at a dismal 71-point pace. Head coach Todd McLellan, a strong Jack Adams contender two months ago, is now unemployed. Pierre-Luc D