NHL: The California road trip has lost its terror
By Jasmine Yen
For the better part of the last decade, the NHL’s infamous “California Road Trip” has sent shivers down teams’ spines. Now, it’s a shell of its former self.
The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks have been the terror of the NHL for the better part of the previous decade. For teams in the Eastern Conference, they often had to do what is known as the “California road trip”
This road trip used to be a nightmare, with the rigorous travel, time zone shift, and dominant teams they were forced to face. The Ducks and Kings have each won at least one Stanley Cup in the post-2004 lockout era while the Sharks have made a Stanley Cup Final appearance and have generally been one of the best teams in the league each season.
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However, it has gradually become far less strenuous for teams.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks became an NHL team back in 1991, 27 years ago, and have made it to the playoffs 20 times. Their longest playoff drought is two years.
This team has always been a playoff contender due to their draft success and player development. Even though their other two California counterparts have fallen off the rails, the Sharks remain the dominant team they have almost always been.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are a successful franchise as well. In their 25-year existence, they have made it to the postseason 14 times. Their current playoff appearance streak is six seasons, but it is being threatened by how they’re currently playing.
In their last 12 games, they have only won twice and have been outshot 443-307. Even when the Ducks were winning at the beginning of the season, it was largely due to how lights out goaltender John Gibson was.
When they shutout the Arizona Coyotes 1-0 in their second game of the season, Gibson had to face 41 shots, 22 of them in the 3rd period. In the Ducks’ most recent game, they won 2-1 over the Nashville Predators, during which they allowed 30 shots on goal.
Both Gibson and backup goalie Ryan Miller have been doing their parts, with .936 and .931 save percentages respectively. However, the team isn’t scoring and they’re giving up too many shot opportunities (very common in a Randy Carlyle-coached team). Their current record is 8-8-3 and by the way they’re playing, it doesn’t seem to be changing for the better anytime soon.
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LA Kings
The Kings have completely fallen off the wagon. For a large part of the past decade, they have been unstoppable with two Stanley Cups and seven postseason appearances. However, their core is rapidly aging and they’re locked up for a long time.
Their management doesn’t seem to understand which direction the league is going (younger and faster) and continues to add players that were good in their prime, but not anymore. At 35 years old, Ilya Kovalchuk is leading the team in scoring with 14 points (5 goals and 9 assists).
If this team has any chance of competing, that kind of dry offence isn’t going to cut it. Especially when your two star goalies Jonathan Quick and Jack Campbell are both out with injuries. This team is not built for today’s NHL and they have been extremely unlucky with injuries.
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Both the Ducks and Kings are the shells of their former selves. While this sucks for both teams and fanbases, it makes the other 29 NHL teams’ lives that much easier. The terrifying “California Road Trip” doesn’t strike the same amount of fear. Maybe now, opposing teams can actually have some fun in the sun.