Doughty, Kempe believe improvements start at the top with top players & team leaders

Los Angeles Kings leaders Drew Doughty and Adrian Kempe stated that the team's top players must take accountability to halt a five-game winless start to the season. Following a loss to the Edmonton Oilers that dropped the Kings to 0-3-2, team captain Doughty emphasized that lapses from leading players, rather than lower-line depth, are directly costing the squad victories. Both players noted that reversing this early slide requires elite contributors to deliver consistent 60-minute performances.

Offensive struggles have further compounded issues, with Los Angeles managing only three goals across their past three contests. Kempe acknowledged his personal scoring drought, having scored only one power-play goal in five games despite leading the roster in shots and scoring opportunities. The Kings face the Boston Bruins in their final home fixture before embarking on a five-game road trip.