Behind the Bench: Can Peter Laviolette Break Kings’ First-Round Exit Curse?

Written by Josie Dinonsie

The Los Angeles Kings have earned a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for five consecutive years. However, each of those postseason appearances has ended in a first-round exit. For any team, the cycle of being talented enough to qualify for the playoffs but unable to advance beyond the opening round can be debilitating.

After their fifth consecutive first-round exit, the Kings decided to shake things up by hiring a coach with more than two decades of playoff experience. On June 9, Peter Laviolette landed his seventh head coaching job with the Los Angeles Kings.

As the 32nd head coach in Kings franchise history, Laviolette brings an impressive résumé that includes 846 regular-season wins, a Stanley Cup championship and multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances. His track record makes it clear that he is an experienced and accomplished coach.

However, the primary goal of Laviolette’s hiring is not to overhaul the team or the systems already in place. Instead, it is to accentuate the talent already on the roster. What Laviolette can ignite within an established group is a major reason the Kings have brought in his expertise.

The team is not lacking talent. Instead, the Kings need to find the tactics and consistency required to advance through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a long 16-win journey to the Cup. During his introductory press conference with the Kings, Laviolette shared his perspective on what it takes to win in the postseason.

“Through my experiences, and even just watching the playoffs right now, this is an attack-oriented game. You have to be willing to move. You have to be able to have a plan in place when there's no offense available… there's got to be a plan, and we’ll work on that plan from day one of camp,” Laviolette stated.

That mindset alone could help the Kings find greater success. With an offensive-focused philosophy, Laviolette is confident that his systems can make a significant difference with the number of skilled players already on the roster.

With players such as Mats Zuccarello, Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield, the future is bright in Los Angeles. But perhaps the biggest name of all is Artemi Panarin, the dynamic superstar Laviolette has experience coaching in New York.

“He’s one of the most talented players I've ever coached. I’m really happy to get to work with him again,” Laviolette said of Panarin.

Panarin was traded to the Kings from the Rangers in February, joining the team late in the season. This year, he will play his first full season as a King while reuniting with his former coach. In 2023-24 under Laviolette, Panarin recorded 120 points, a career high that established him as one of the league’s premier stars. Reigniting that level of production from Panarin alone could significantly impact the Kings’ trajectory.

However, Laviolette’s positive influence has the potential to extend beyond one established star. The Kings also have an emerging group of talented players who could benefit from his experience and approach.

Along with Panarin, Laviolette has also coached Fiala and Darcy Kuemper. Those existing relationships and familiarity could help accelerate the process of building the team’s culture. Laviolette has emphasized team culture and closeness as some of the most important aspects of building a successful team.

“It's just my experience that teams that care about each other, they are willing to play hard for each other, " Laviolette said.

Now, the Kings community awaits to see whether Laviolette’s extensive experience can ignite a fire within the team and push it past its postseason struggles.

Laviolette’s introduction to the organization is proof that the Kings believe in their talented roster and are determined to move beyond their recent playoff disappointments. Simply making the playoffs is no longer enough. The next step is advancing.

“Pro hockey is hard to win at, and he has done a lot of winning,” said Ken Holland, Kings Vice President and General Manager, speaking of Laviolette.

Ending the Kings’ first-round exit streak is not guaranteed, but hiring Laviolette represents a step in the right direction. With a coach whose philosophy and experience have helped teams reach significant accomplishments, the LA Kings enter a new, exciting and hopeful chapter.