Erik Ersberg is 4-2 with a 1.95 GAA and .907 SV%

Do the Kings have a shot to make the playoffs? They have the speedy and young talent to put the puck in the net, with a stiff blueline to break-up plays. But what have the Kings been missing all this time?

Flash back to ‘07-’08, former Kings coach Marc Crawford had to go through 8 separate goaltenders (Jason LaBarbera, Dan Cloutier, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick and Daniel Taylor - just to name a few) before finding someone who could control the cage.

This season, General Manager Dean Lombardi and his organization decided to allow LaBarbera to try and prove himself as a number one goalie. During the offseason before ‘08-’09, LaBarbera went through a rigorous training program, shedding some weight in hopes to improve his quickness and agility. Unfortunately LaBarbera continues to struggle, posting 3-5 record with a 3.01 GAA and .884 SV%,

Ersberg is confident between the pipes, staying square to shooters and controlling rebounds. The pucks that are getting past him are odd man opportunities seldom created by the Los Angeles D.

Coming into his own, Erik Ersberg’s continued dominance in the Kings net could be the missing piece to the puzzle the Kings need to breach the playoffs.