Kings Playoff drive
LA Kings are in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 2nd straight year.
They're still very much a young team, and last years 1st round series loss to the Canucks will only help them improve this season.
It's a shame the King's couldn't win that last game of the season assuring them 4th place and a 1st round home series. Instead Their rival Ducks earned that spot by beating them, thus dropping the Kings to 7th to face the Sharks.
San Jose won the West with 105 point, but I think the King's have a good shot of winning this series with their smart defense and sharp goaltending.
Doughty and Johnson backed up by a big Quick, who again had a stellar season, lead this young group to success. Unfortunately the offense will have to do it without leading scorer Anze Kopitar gone with an injury. However they should have enough dictated by defense to spark victory in the 1st round.
Good luck Kings!!
KINGS Keep Crowning
The LA KINGS keep fighting and overcoming adversity hanging in their winning the 4-3 shootout over the 1st place Sharks at Staples center.
Kings hold solid 3rd place with 90 points in the west.
This young team is right their ready to go farther this year then last.
The balance of goalies Quick and Bernier is paying huge dividends now, and the defensive leadership of young guns Doughty and Johnson is pacing the club.
Dustin Brown came up big on the offense with 2 goals plus the winning shootout goal.
Sharks hold 1st place but have to be concerned about the Kings storming them only 5 points back.
Playoff push coming at the right time for LA.
They face the Av's for a Saturday afternoon hockey matinee.
KINGS Seeing STARS
The LA King's blew 3 leads and a golden opportunity to gain ground in the wild western conference of the NHL losing to a team they had owned for 2 years the Dallas Stars.
Payback is a bitch and the Stars kept getting payback all night in this game eventually winning 4-3 in OT.
Things are so tight right now in the west that a win last night and the Kings would have been in 2nd place, instead the loss puts them back to 5th and propels Dallas into the 2nd slot for the moment. Certainly to change soon.
King's need to rally their emotions and travel to Detroit to play the Red Wings. Always a difficult task under any circumstances.
Bernier couldn't quite help his team over the hump in this one,
despite the three 1 goal leads.
KINGS LOSE + CONTINUE ON RECORD PACE
LA Kings lost a hard fought game @ MSG against the Rangers last night 4-3 in the SO
Dustin Brown scored 2 goals as the Kings pestered the Rangers all night but couldn't close them out.
Bernier was in goal for this one, but just didn't quite have it tonight.
Huge win for the Rangers as they close in on a solidified playoff spot also earned goalie Henrik Lundqvist his 200th career victory.
LA on their own record pace have gone 11 consecutive games scoring at least 1 point 8-0-3 over that span.
So despite the shootout loss, this road trip has been highly successful for the Kings.
It could have easily buried them this trip, but they endured and should prosper from that down the stretch.
The Western conference is tight, crazy and downright whacky!
Kings are Knotted in a 3 way tie at 68 points and a total of only 3 points separates 1st to 5th place! Unreal.
Rangers keep rolling but the Kings are equally as deserving of high praise.
KING'S STATEMENT
LA King's are a very efficient and fundamentally sound Hockey team.
Winning convincingly Sunday night at home over the Ducks, and then coming up the coast to take on the Sharks beating them 4-0 makes them huge!
Jonathon Quick was rarely tested but when he was he looked as focused as ever.
Quick stopped 24 shots compared to the 37 shots LA put on Niemi and the Sharks.
Kings were aggressive to start setting the tone out shooting the Sharks 14-1 in the first 15 minutes.
Nothing going in the 2nd, but the persistence paid of in a 5 minute span of the 3rd when they reeled off 3 goals to close out San Jose.
Lewis, Sturm and Brown all scored with Brown getting the extra late goal (16) to finish it.
Brown now leads the team in goals scored, and the win puts them solidly in 2nd place,
1 point out of 1st place Dallas.
King's though are clearly the pride of the western Conference.
If not for their swooning little slump several weeks ago, they would be well in control of the league.
Many teams have highs and lows throughout the season, as will the Kings, but this is a young group that plays with veteran leadership stemming from the solid D line led by Doughty and J Johnson.
Kings next go to Phoenix to make their point against the last place howlin Coyotes.
Nice win Kings!!
KINGS SLAY PREDATORS
LA Kings took care of the Nashville Predators early and often scoring 4 goals in the 1st period, and rolling to an easy 6-1 victory for their 5th win in last 7 games.
The Predators had been hot. They had a 5 game losing streak going and hadn't lost in their last 10 games, but got snagged by LA early just 15 seconds into the game when Justin Williams got em going. Ryan Smyth added 2 goals, and Jonathan Bernier went 3-0 lifetime against Nashville.
Kings fought off their recent slump and have settled into things nicely.
Although tied for last place, only 4 points separate's them and 1st place Dallas in the very competitive Western Conference.
Kings stick on the road to play the Stanley Cup Champs Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
KINGS RISE
LA KINGS won a Huge game Saturday defeating one of the greatest teams over the last 15 years the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in OT at Staples center.
Red Wings have been a tremendous nemesis to the Kings, but this is a new LA Hockey team that can compete with the elite of the league. Certainly Detroit is highly regarded as such.
Kings kept their focus and scored in OT on a one timer from Anze Kopitar off the pass by Dustin Brown. La has appeared to shake off their weary road trip by Handling Detroit and the return of veteran goalie Osgood.
Kings are 10-2 at home, and staying sharp in what's developed into a very tight division, with only 5 points separating 1st to last.
Jonathon Quick (27 saves) has been that and more as the leading goaltender for this club.
Kings rest a bit to face Calgary @ home Thursday.
Beating the Red Wings was a good way to cap off the week.
Go Kings!!
KING'S SUNNY ADAYE
KINGS snapped an early season 3 game slide on Saturday taking out the Boston Bruins in Mass. 4-3 during an extensive shootout exhibition.
Handzus finished it and Jonathon Quick nailed down his 11th victory of the season, putting him at 11-2 off to an amazing start like last year when he set the record for most wins in a regular season by a King goalie, breaking Rogie Vachon's mark.
King's also happy to snap the losing streak on the road. King's showed their resilience last night after blowing a 3-0 lead.
Jarret Stoll scored the 3rd goal giving him 100 as a Los Angeles King. An accomplishment to be quite proud of.
LA will try and move this momentum right into their 3rd game on this trip against Ottowa Monday night, and then finish up with Montreal on Wednesday.
Young Kings guns hang tough.
KING'S Early Reality Check
LA King's have encountered an early season correction.
The fact is King's have gotten off to the best start in team history, but now found a small hiccup losing 2 in a row for the 1st time this year.
A far cry from the history of this team, however the expectations are high this season, after last years major progress. That progress was slowed tonight and surprised a bit at the opponent as the Columbus Bluejackets held good control on the game, winning 5-3.
Kings briefly had control of this game early in the 3rd but a very beautiful top shelf finesse move by Rick Nash sealed it for Columbus. The other night is was Bernier, and last night it was Quick.
No need to fear King's fans.
It's early in the year and LA has given us a lot to support this season on the Ice.
Kings are still in 1st place with 24 points and will be there all year long.
They go on the road to get things straight beginning with a long trip to Buffalo New York to play the Sabres Friday night.
KINGS ON
The Los Angeles Kings are setting themselves up for quite a special season.
Last year great strides were made, but this year Kings are fast out of the gate playing with precision, and opening up eyes around the league.
They continued their home dominance winning 6 in a row by beating Nashville Predators 4-1. The record for home victories to start a season by a Kings team is 7 something this team feels they can accomplish quite easily.
Best thing is their depth being able to start Bernier in goal, and have such an effective outcome.
LA can sit tight till Dallas comes to town on Thursday.
Good for the Kings because they own the Stars.
KINGS BEST
Simply put, the LA KINGS are the best and most exciting team in the NHL so far this season.
They kept that going saturday night against a fading Martin Broduer and New Jersey Devils team, that went down to the Kings 3-1 at staple center.
Jaret Stoll scored a goal and two assists in leading the Kings behind Jonathon Quick's 39 saves placing LA in prime position and league best 8-3 record.
Kings didn't land Kovalchuk, but maybe he made a mistake?
LA Kings are on their way up, and New Jersey is definitely in their inevitable decline.
Kings holding together quite well considering Drew Doughty's absence.
They'll just be that much stronger when he comes back from this concussion.
Kings off now till thursday when they'll play the very hot Tampa Bay lightning who are off to a huge start themselves.
Kings do it best tonight!!
KINGS OWN STARS
LA KINGS have owned the Dallas Stars for 2 years now.
They've won 4 in a row in Dallas and Jonathon Quick (30 saves) has a 4-1 record in the state of Texas.
Thursday nights battle continued victorious for the Kings winning 5-2.
A great sign for a strong resilient team to win on the back end of back to back road games, especially with the first team being Champion Blackhawks.
kings took care of business and finished the road trip a successful 3-2.
Simmonds, Dustin Brown and Willie Mitchell all got in on the scoring act while Jack Johnson stepped up for the injured Doughty and did quite well controlling the zone and picking up 3 assists.
Kings come home to play a not so evil Devils team Saturday.
KINGS go WILD on Minnesota!
LA Kings got the best of the WILD on the road coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in a SO clinched by Handzus, and a win for Jonathon Quick.
Kings go to 6-2 on the season and are establishing themselves immediately this year as one of the top teams in the league.
Despite the strong start the power play has not been as kind 3-27 before last night, but LA got 2 on the PP by Stoll and Kopitar to get them even.
Quick held the fort and the Kings are in 1st place going into United Center to play the Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks on Wednesday.
KINGS CLIMB
LA Kings have won 4 in a row and made up for their game 1 loss to the Canucks already.
Wednesday night at Staples Center the Kings beat Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 behind the strong backup goaltending of Jonathan Bernier, who made 27 saves getting his 1st victory of the season and 5th overall of his young career. A nice problem at backup goalie for the Kings to have?
Smith and Handzus got the scoring going for the Kings in the first but it was LA rookie Andrei Loktionov from Russia who achieved his 1st NHL goal, and that being the winning goal in the 3rd.
Kings confident, and looking to get a stronghold on the Pacific division and be one of the league leaders out in front all season long.
They're off to a good start doing that.
King's on the road to Phoenix for a huge early season divisional battle.
KINGS ROAD ENDS
The 09-10 Los Angeles Kings season is over. They were so close winning 2-1 in the series at one point, and were winning the game last night 2-1 going into the 3rd period.
That's where Jonathan Quick gave up an easy goal to Kevin Bieksa getting beat through the pads on a soft shot from the wing.
The shot that won it for Vancouver on his 4th of the playoffs was by Daniel Sedin, and was not Quicks fault. It was a broken play and 2 kings defenders went down to block the puck. Kings best Doughty laid flat on the Ice screening out Quick as Sedin beat him on a beauty to the high short side.
Doughty had the Kings in front with an acrobatic point drive on the Power play in the 2nd, but it wasn't enough to stop the Sedin brothers from combining for 18 points in the series, and watching Roberto Luongo come up big when it was on the line with 30 saves last night.
It is true that Jonathan Quick struggled down the stretch of the season, but he's young, and helped the club to it's greatest season in years. he also set the club mark for victories in a season (39) and has a bright future in front of him.
He just needs the maturity, and now he has the experience to draw from.
Plus the Kings have one of the best defenses in the league led by Norris trophy candidate, and already the winner in my eyes Drew Doughty. Also there's Jack Johnson, scuderi and O'donnell. With forwards like Frolov, Brown and rising star Kopitar, the
LA Kings future is looking good.
So have faith Kings fans! Appreciate the fine regular season. Of course it would have been amazing to win a playoff series, but unlike other years, there's something quite wonderful to build off of here, and next season I expect a Quick start with a bolstering to the lineup that only the fine LA Kings organization will bring us.
Thanks Kings and good luck in the Off Season.
KINGS CRYING
The LA Kings got pummeled last night in Vancouver 7-2.
It was probably their worst performance of the season.
However it's not over fans! Have faith that this young Kings team that way overachieved this season have put themselves in a challenging position to pull off a big 1st round series win. Regardless this has been a successful season.
Here's commentary I was sharing with a fellow Kings fan on FB about being frustrated with the current situation, and mainly his unhappiness with the goaltending, and now his desire to trade Jonathan Quick.
Scott....you've lost your mind on this one??
oh so all of a sudden it's all the goalies fault?
Come on Scott look deeper than that!
First off you DON'T trade the guy who set your franchise record for wins in a season, and got you to the playoffs for the first time in 8 years!!!
Yes...he's struggling a bit, and didn't have a good game last night, but it's more mental than anything.
Quick needs to get out of his head and get his focus in line...but he'll be fine.
However I have no problem sitting him in favor of a backup that the coaching staff feels is ready to step in....If that's what it takes to spark the team?
You want to blame him? but the Kings normal intense forechecking inside the circles vanished for most of this game.
Kings are still alive....Win Tomorrow at home (and they will) and then go back to Vancouver for a shot to win game 7.
Win or lose though this has been a successful season for the Kings and, they have a tremendous amount to build on.
So let's get focused fans! KINGS can still do it!
KINGS Late for Crowning
The LA KINGS lost a great opportunity last night to command their 1st round playoff series with the Canucks at Staples center, and failed to reach their goal losing 6-4.
It was a wild game that Vancouver finished on top.
The Canucks spread the wealth getting goals from 6 different players.
They also figured out the Kings on the power play.
LA led going into the 3rd and blew their 1st game of the year, after leading going into the 3rd period.
So now the focus and strategy is on going back to Vancouver and regaining control of the series, to then come back to Staple center and win it.
Questions will remain about the late shakes of Quick?
Hopefully he can overcome the mental barrier that might be plaguing him and reset for Vancouver.
The Kings surely do need him. However Don't give up KING'S FANS!
This is your team you root for every year, that got you 2 playoff wins for the first time in 9 years so far?
Be grateful for where this young team is at right now!
The future looks bright and it's only getting better!
Have faith KINGS FANS....This is where the heart, determination, and character to overcome adversity strikes.
LA Kings are not done.
Kings Express
The LA KINGS are in the driver seat to take full control of this series with Vancouver.
Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson will lead the way of the Kings behind their goalie Jonathan Quick, who will have broken many Kings franchise goaltending records when this season is said and done.
Kings are hot and look to press that momentum tonight at Staples center. The place was rocking for game #1. expect the same tonight.
Go Kings and good luck!!
KINGS INSPIRATION
The LA Kings won a huge playoff game last night over the Canucks in Vancouver for game 2 of their 1st round playoff series. Like game 1 this also went to overtime, but this time the Kings had the momentum and won it 3-2.
LA showed some true resiliency in this game, trailing 2-0 after the first.
Then an in between periods chat with LA Kings President of Business affairs Luc Robitaille suddenly Inspired a nation!!
Kings came out roaring in the 2nd and got fast goals by Modin, and then Simmonds on a beautiful assist by Anze Kopitar. And yes it was Kopitar, Luc's huge King of the year who came through in the OT on a power play goal awarded to them by Vancouver's sloppy boneheaded play of having too many men on the Ice. The Kings took advantage and now come home to LA on Monday to try and take complete control of this series.
Jon Quick finally got that monkey off his back getting his 1st win after 8 games without... Quick came up huge with 24 saves. He looked a little startled after he gave up the two in the 1st, but he settled in and got the win. People need to really lay off him, and props to Murray for sticking with the philosophy that I believe in, staying with the guys who got you there. Quick had a brilliant season but has struggled lately.
However fans if you look closely they've all been close games, and he has not gotten the goal support! Last nights win should calm everything down...as winning always does, but for sure the advantage is now in the hands of the Kings.
Tomorrow is a major turning point in LA Kings history.
Enjoy it folks!
KINGS OH SO CLOSE
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs 1st round in Vancouver was a bitter defeat for the
LA Kings. They played a solid game throughout defensively, only to lose it in overtime 3-2 off a turnover that resulted in Canucks deep penetration of the Kings zone led by Sedin who whipped around the net and made the crisp centering pass for the winning shot by Mikael Samuelsson, his 2nd of the night. It was just a neutral zone breakdown, and it cost LA the game.
Quick played a great game stopping 41 shots, but let the big goal get by him 8:52 into OT.
His winless streak grows to 9 games.
For the Kings young stars, this was their 1st ever playoff experience, and they played well despite the tough loss, even came inches away in overtime themselves to almost win off a Jack Johnson rebound shot moments before the Canucks goal.
It was rough but Kings must not get down here. They need some breaks to fall their way, while in the act of hard forechecking and continued solid play.
Big question now will be, does Murray stick with Quick?
Many fans are saying No. Start Ersberg.
We'll see what they do...but hang in their Kings fans. They could win game 2 and then take the advantage back to LA for their 1st playoff games in 9 years.
Let's make it a good one!
Go Kings for game #2!!
KINGS SLIDE UNDER EARLY AVALANCHE
The LA Kings got the Huge victory they needed to propel them into the playoffs.
Winning yesterday over the AV's not only gave them the 2nd highest point total in team history, it moved the Kings into the 6th spot in the playoff bracket having them go up against the Canucks instead of the Blackhawks.
I think Vancouver is a much better matchup for the Kings in the 1st round.
Chicago is tough, and so is Vancouver, but the Kings had a dominant performance over the Canucks a few weeks ago 8-3 at home, and will try to replicate that kind of play Immediately In game #1 Thursday night in Vancouver.
The big question remains what to do about the goaltending situation?
Jonathan Quick helped the Kings get here with 39 wins this past season, but his recent struggles have been obvious. His back up Erik Ersberg won the big game yesterday in Colorado, and is primed to step in if needed....
I say it's good to have 2 great goalies, and maybe you do stat Ersberg in game#1?
It's a big decision for the coaches, but either way I hope the Psyche of Quick and the rest of the team is in check come game time.
Go King's. Enjoy your first playoffs in almost a decade.
KINGS COMMAND THEN GET BITTEN!
Jaw dropping disappointment is all that can describe the Kings meltdown last night to the "Hungry like the wolves" Phoenix Coyotes....who have really shocked the hockey world this season reaching the 50 win, and 100 point milestone for the 1st time in the Teams 14 years of play in the Desert.
Hockey games can seem long, especially when you're leading most of the way in a low scoring grind it out game, as the Kings were doing up 2-0 on beautiful goals by their 2 sharp defensemen Doughty and Johnson.
They held that lead behind stellar play from Quick up till 12:43 of the 3rd period when the Coyotes struck with their 1st goal by Matthew Lombardi. For some reason that's all phoenix needed, despite the fact that the Coyotes at this point have their playoff position secured, where it was the Kings who had much more to benefit from in this situation. However it was The Coyotes who struck again 2 min later, and the Kings were QUICKLY stunned, and done.
they went to a SO and got beat by former NYI Adrian Aucoin.
It's frustrating because it's a team like Phoenix, or any of the other top clubs in the west who are having stellar seasons, that are taking away from the accolades of the Kings, who have broken many team records this season themselves, and stand at a chance to still get to that 100 point plateau...which is highly necessary now, because the Kings need to be Hot going into the Playoffs. They have 2 more tune up games to do that, and now these games have turned into must wins against Edmonton and Colorado.
They did pick up 1 point which put them in control of their own destiny setting up a possible playoff showdown with these same Coyotes if that happens.
Quick has struggled going winless in his last 7 appearances, but I would not sit him, and play him into these opportunities for wins this weekend. His record speaks for itself, and it's NOT panic time. He's the one who got you here Kings fans.
Good Luck Kings...and snap out of it... Quick.
KINGS CLINCH
The Los Angeles Kings clinched their 1st playoff appearance since 2002, when Calgary lost last night to Chicago. The news is great, but it comes at the heels of a difficult loss for the Kings Saturday night, when they got beat in an unfamiliar way to their freeway rivals, the Ducks of Anaheim. LA had gone an incredible 29-0-1 when leading after 2 periods, which dates back 1 year to last season!
However a late 3rd period goal by Saku Koivu, and then the winner in the SO sealed it for the Ducks despite 32 saves, and a well played game by Jonathan Quick.
Ducks are in the 10th spot desperate to join the Kings for the first time together in the playoffs.
Kings have clinched, and now have to dispose of the Ducks in the payback game at Staples center on Tuesday night.
It's all huge at this point...and the Kings will come through!
KINGS PARTY
The LA Kings absolutely trounced the The Vancouver Canucks last night in LA 8-3 on a hat trick by captain Dustin Brown.
The Kings did what I predicted they would do. They came out hungry, sharp and ready to cease this glorified moment.
Vancouver never had a chance. Luongo watched 5 shots go behind him like a blur before his team struck with 2 quick ones in the 2nd. Kings though controlled this game, and kept the pressure on as Kopitar, Stoll, Williams, Handzus and Frolov all got in on the action. It was one big party at the expense of the Canucks who are slipping a bit down the stretch, as they gave up a season high in goals tonight. Bernier got his 2nd straight win for the Kings and will serve as a pleasant security blanket, backing up Quick going into the Playoffs.
Kings could end up in the 5th spot, or they could end up playing Vancouver. So much still up in the air?
Enjoy this Kings fans as LA gets ready for home and home with the Quacks in Anaheim.
Canadien Hex
The King's come home from a short 2 game road trip, winning in Dallas and losing in Nashville.
They come back to Staples saturday night to try and break the secret code of handling the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have beaten the King's 4 straight and have dominated them throughout their history.
To help strengthen the defense, Kings made a nice move picking up veteran Jeff Halpern from tampa bay, while only giving up underachieving teddy purcell.
The King's Will break this losing streak against Montreal.
With Quick in the net, and the adrenaline of the fans excited to have their Kings back at home for 6 of the next 8 games, LA will be pumped for victory.
Look for Kopitar to find his spot in the slot, and watch Doughty get it to him.
Next up is Columbus. King's should take these next 2 home games.
Special Kings
The Los Angeles Kings go into the Olympic break on a high note shutting out the surging CO. Av's 3-0 behind stellar goal play once again by the young King phenom, American goalie Jonathan Quick.
He's on pace to have the greatest season in King's history for a goaltender.
Right now he leads the entire NHL in wins with 35, and there's nothing getting by him.
Anze Kopitar has really found his rhythm combining power with pure finesse. Along with the tight defense of Doughty, and O'donnell, Johnson, and Greene, they really are the best in the biz right now. king's also have found great leadership in ryan smyth and dustin Brown, along with strong forechecking by Simmonds and Frolov.
I like this team and the direction they are going in. They just need to stay sharp and be prepared to come out strong after the Olympics. I would stay away from any trades, thus to not mess up the chemistry, but if a big time veteran surfaces, that won't cost any key components, then I would say go for it.
Right now The King's should be very pleased with their position and performance so far this season.
KINGS DO IT AGAIN!!
KINGS DO IT AGAIN!!
They beat the NJ Devils at the meadowlands!! coming from behind late to win 3-2.
6 in a row for this young dynamic group of Hockey players.
this successful trip will pay will pay dividends down the road when the
Kings regroup from the Olympics and drive towards the playoffs.
King's win a doozie tonight
King's win a doozie tonight over the freeway Ducks 6-4. Kopitar's goal
to ice the game is as a pretty a goal you'll ever see. finesse in every
sense of the word. King's have won 8 in a row and are stunning the
hockey world, only to be a bit out shadowed right now by Ottowa and
their 9 game win streak, ...and The Washington Caps who have won 12 in
row! dismantling the rangers tonight in a 6-5 shootout at MSG.King's continue to play the role of the darling prince!