So does the Kings’ strategy now become “Lose for Hughes,” or do they maintain their so-far unsuccessful course and hope to stay afloat while goaltender Jonathan Quick is out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery?
The “Hughes” of “Lose for Hughes,” is Jack Hughes of the U.S National Team Development Program, a small but smart and skillful forward who’s projected to be the top selection in the 2019 NHL entry draft. Keep losing — something the Kings have become good at lately with a 3-7-1 record and league-worst seven points — and they’ll be in the draft lottery and have a shot at the No.