Nashville Predators: Way too early Western Conference Power Rankings

Los Angeles Kings (2-0-0, 4 pts)

I think Los Angeles was better than their finish a season ago. They still have elite talent – albeit getting older talent – and it appears they were looking to make a statement over the weekend. Jonathan Quick posted a 2-0 shutout of the Flyers and followed it up with 4-1 decisive dismantling of Pacific Division foe San Jose. Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown remain two of the most productive players in hockey, while receiving very little love for it.

It wasn’t a flashy offseason for the Kings, nor did it need to be. Simply put, they just had to play better. Most of the pieces from their Stanley Cup years remain intact, including annual Norris Trophy nominee Drew Doughty. If anyone can threaten Edmonton in this division, it has to be L.A. The Kings have three more winnable games, all at home, this week as they welcome Calgary, Buffalo and the Islanders to Staples Center.

If they can put those games away and open the season 4-0 or even 4-1, it could send some shock waves throughout the league that the Kings are real contenders again.