from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,

Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake: The Kings are 2-5-1 and that does not appear to be a fluke. While it is true injuries to Jonathan Quick and Dustin Brown have undermined them, they simply don’t look like a team designed to compete in the speed-driven NHL. Fans are starting to wonder whether Blake should have done more in the offseason to change the look of this team. The Kings still boast core players from their two championships. Have they kept them for too long?

The Kings have a -13 goal differential and rank 30th in the league with a 1.88 goals-per-game scoring average. The team’s power-play percentage is 10.7%.

Quick is a proven difference-maker, but his return to the lineup a few days ago didn’t change all of that. His .851 save percentage and 4.67 goals-against average after three games are symbolic of the team’s struggles.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson: This is not the kind of start the Sharks envisioned when they acquired Karlsson this offseason. At some point, Karlsson will explode offensively. But right now, he has no goals and his plus-minus of -4 in the Sharks’ worst. The Sharks' power play also ranks 22nd. The 4-3-1 Sharks are expected to be among the Western Conference's best teams.

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