Los Angeles Kings’ Biggest Threat on Each Pacific Division Team in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

The NHL’s Pacific Division is filled with a plethora of rivals and friendly faces, featuring superstars, rising young talent, and several of the league’s multifaceted playmakers. If the Los Angeles Kings aim to take the next step and move past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, one aspect they must conquer is the ability to neutralize the biggest competition within their own division.

Anaheim Ducks – Leo Carlsson

This is a major one. Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks just became the league’s highest-paid player after the 6-foot-3 Swede native signed a massive five-year, $90 million contract with the Ducks organization. Originally, the Philadelphia Flyers presented an offer sheet in which the Ducks matched on July 9. The Ducks traded away many of their assets this offseason and gained several quality additions to reshape the roster for the future. With Carlsson’s monumental signing, the center and alternate captain is in a position to be the face of the franchise.

The Swede has already shown why he was selected second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. With his height and skill set, Carlsson possesses the complete repertoire to become the franchise’s center. If Los Angeles can limit his time with the puck and prevent him from creating scoring opportunities, they can slow down Anaheim’s offensive attack.

Calgary Flames – Mikael Backlund

Mikael Backlund may not lead the Calgary Flames in highlight reels, but his impact is impossible to miss. A dependable two-way center and respected captain, Backlund’s impact goes beyond the ice. He consistently wins faceoffs and shuts down top lines. The Kings need to focus on pressuring him on the forecheck, stay out of the penalty box, and win board battles. It sounds simple but if the team can stop him, they can further protect their puck possession and dictate the pace of the game. 

Edmonton Oilers – Connor McDavid

This is a no-brainer. Connor McDavid has dominated the league for several seasons and forced the Kings into awkward defensive matchups every time they’ve met in the playoffs. No player commands more attention than the Ontario native. The 6-foot-1 captain remains the NHL’s most dynamic and elite player. His exceptional vision, puck handling, and speed make him a constant threat every time he touches the puck. He forces opponents into uncomfortable positions, creating time and space for himself and his teammates. Los Angeles knows this all too well.

After multiple playoff meetings with the Edmonton Oilers, they’ve been eliminated by McDavid and his teammates season after season. Containing him requires a complete five-man effort. Defensively the Kings must stay disciplined, eliminate gaps, and avoid unnecessary turnovers that allow him to attack. Their goaltender also has to remain strong and exceptional, making timely saves when the Canadian superstar inevitably create scoring chances. Limiting his impact takes every player working together to reduce the time he has with the puck.

San Jose Sharks – Macklin Celebrini

Macklin Celebrini, a young talent, has been making waves in the NHL. He was recently named as NHL 27’s cover athelete, highlighting his growing threat. Celebrini’s impressive performance in his second season with the San Jose Sharks is evident. He scored 45 goals and accumulated 115 points in just 82 games, standing out as his most remarkable yet. Despite being relatively new to the league, Celebrini has demonstrated why he was chosen first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.

As San Jose continues its rebuilding process, Celebrini is emerging as the face of the franchise. For Los Angeles, this presents a challenge. They must take the initiative and limit Celebrini’s transition opportunities and apply physical pressure before he can capitalize on his offensive skills. Celebrini possesses exceptional playmaking abilities and an excellent shot. To counter his potential, Los Angeles needs to control the pace of the game and anticipate his movements to prevent him from stealing the show.  

Seattle Kraken – Jared McCann

Jared McCann, a veteran NHLer, has been quietly making strategic moves and consistently performing well. His most notable performance was the 2022-23 season, where he scored 40 goals in 79 games and accumulated a career-high 70 points. Because his impressive achievements, McCann remains a player to watch closely.

McCann is a dangerous scorer who can find the back of the net from almost anywhere. Whether he’s firing a shot from the faceoff circle on the power play or finding open space in the offensive zone, he always poses a threat. The Kings’ defense must keep a close eye on him, especially during plays when he can slip into open ice unnoticed. By forcing him to the outside, limiting his scoring chances, and clearing rebounds in front of the net, the Kings can make it much harder for Seattle to generate offense.

At his peak, Elias Pettersson stands among the NHL’s most well-rounded centers. Whether he’s carrying the puck through the neutral zone or unleashing his precise wrist shot, the Swede has the ability to dominate games. To limit his production, the Kings must win puck battles, disrupt passing lanes, and prevent clean entries into the offensive zone. If Pettersson is allowed to dictate the pace, Vancouver’s entire offense becomes significantly more dangerous.

Vegas Golden Knights – Jack Eichel

Since joining the Vegas Golden Knights, Jack Eichel has established himself as one of the league’s elite centers. His size and speed allow him to create scoring opportunities in every situation. Physical play will be crucial. While he is difficult to dislodge from the puck, finishing checks and forcing him to battle for every inch of ice can wear him down over the course of a game. Stopping Eichel will be a major challenge, but limiting his chances will give the Kings a better chance to succeed.

Bottom Line

The Pacific Division remains one of the NHL’s most competitive and exceptional groups, featuring immense talent in McDavid, Eichel, Pettersson, and others. Successfully containing these six players as much as possible could make the difference between reaching the postseason and making a push for the Pacific Division title. With so much star power against them, the Kings will need consistency, strong defense, and the ability to limit top players to succeed.