The Kings showed their ability to come from behind in their first-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues, crawling out of a two-games to none ditch.

Right now, their focus is staying ahead; staying ahead of the San Jose Sharks – a team that is equally as capable of overcoming a two-game deficit as the Kings are.

They say a two-goal lead is the hardest to hold in hockey.

A two-game lead, well that can certainly behold the same difficult implications.

The Kings will have to push to stay ahead of the San Jose Sharks heading into Game 4 of their Western Conference Semifinals series Tuesday evening at HP Pavilion, after falling in Game 3 by way of a 2-1 score that saw the Sharks regain life with a game-winning tally off the stick of Logan Couture early in the OT frame.

The Sharks have lost only twice this season in their home confines at HP Pavilion, where they’ve played a total of 27 games.

The Kings, on the other hand, have only won a single (1) game on the road since the month of March.

How do you define difficult?

Comfortable doesn’t exist right now.

Winning in Northern California’s hostile confines can give the Kings a taste of comfort, however.

Game 4 can send the Sharks to the brink.

It can also make this much closer of a series than you would want it to be.

Putting a Spin on it

How do you want it?

Short-sighted: The Kings continue to be without a few key players from their lineup, namely Jarret Stoll, who hasn’t returned to the lineup since the horrendous blindsided blow he took from the now-suspended Raffi Torres in Game 1 of the series.

Stoll, who has continually grown to be one of the most dependable and useful players on the roster, is being sorely missed. Jarret Stoll is the Kings’ best forward in the faceoff circle, he’s a staple on the Kings’ penalty-kill, and he’s a regular on the Kings’ powerplay rotation.

The Kings, who had been able to regroup to cover the loss of Jarret Stoll in Game 2 by shutting down the Sharks on special teams, were fully exposed Saturday night in Game 3.

They’re getting drilled in the faceoff circle. And that’s oh so crucial to the San Jose Sharks‘ success.

Also missing is Kyle Clifford, who has been a big-time performer in the past against San Jose in the postseason, and Matt Greene, who is a specialist in clearing out opponent’s traffic in front of Jonathan Quick – and traffic, without a doubt, has been the Sharks’ strongest strategy.

But thankfully, and fruitfully, the Kings are getting some assistance from the prospects.

From Manchester

With Love

Youth Groove: The Kings’ have been getting some unexpected appearances by youth prospects in their system during the postseason, with Tyler Toffoli, Jake Muzzin, and Tanner Pearson all making their NHL postseason debuts this year.

To raise the bar a level, Tanner Pearson didn’t just make his NHL postseason debut Saturday night against the San Jose Sharks, but his NHL debut as well.

The kid couldn’t have been level-headed. There’s no way.

He might’ve been as coherent as a teenager five beers deep.

Shockingly, however, Tyler Toffoli has been performing in the big-time picture magnificently. And, well, quite impressively.

He presented himself as a worthwhile asset after being added to the lineup in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues. And he’s apparently proved himself as well, as head coach Darryl Sutter has stuck with the young, inexperienced forward.

Tyler Toffoli has registered points in the Kings’ previous two games against the San Jose Sharks, assisting on Trevor Lewis‘ game-tying goal in Game 2 at Staples Center, and scoring the Kings’ only goal in Game 3 at HP Pavilion.

It’s a youth movement, if you will.

Purple Days

Flavor of the Week: The prospects in the Kings’ organization who came up from the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs were a big story during last year’s postseason run as well, but those names have changed.

Call it a Sophomore slump if you want, because Dwight King and Jordan Nolan have been disturbingly silent not just during the playoffs, but the season as a whole.

Young bloods.

Like Jordan

Take a Seat

Point at Detroit

How about burying one, Dwight. Then we’ll talk Detroit.

Dwight King hasn’t registered a goal since the Kings’ March 25th contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s got two assists through nine playoff games this season, and holds a less than impressive -1 rating.

Don’t talk back, kid

Speakeasy

Game Four Pour

Short-Circuit: The Kings were able to eliminate San Jose’s biggest threat from their offensive tandem throughout the first two games of the series, but crumbled Saturday night in the worst way, and time, possible.

The San Jose Sharks swept through the Western Conference Quarterfinals with ease against the Vancouver Canucks, and it had quite a bit to do with special teams offensive production.

San Jose scored seven powerplay goals against the Vancouver Canucks in their four-game sweep against Brititsh Columbia’s finest.

In their first two contests against the Kings in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Sharks were shutout on their man-advantage opportunities, going 0-7 against the Kings on their powerplay.

However, three is key.

The Sharks buried both of their goals against the Kings in Game 3 Saturday night on the powerplay advantage.

As you know, that’s the kiss of death when playing the San Jose Sharks.

And as you know…

Someone needs to make a leading statement on this team.

And they need to do it in Game 4.

Word has it, he’s back

Word has it.

How ironic, the Ottawa Senators won their Game 3 contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2nd OT period on Sunday.

We’ve got ourselves a sorely-missed asset back in the mix. Maybe.

Comeback Cliff

Call us Rich

But who’s Counting

Who’s Fronting

Richy Rich.

Let’s hope for Christmas-like expectations Tuesday night.

Puck drops for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals Tuesday night at 7:00PM PST against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion.

Episode 196 KingsCast TV: LAK-SJS Game 1 WCSF RECAP – HERE
Episode 197 KingsCast TV: LAK-SJS Game 2 WCSF RECAP – HERE
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The Kings will stay within California State boundaries for their Western Conference Semifinals series after their triumphant comeback to oust the St. Louis Blues in six games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, winning four straight contests against St. Louis after facing an early, and gut-checking two-loss deficit.

How they continue to grow.

A best-of-seven date is slated to start against the San Jose Sharks in Downtown Los Angeles Tuesday night at Staples Center.

Everything was aligned for the Kings’ second-round series to involve our neighbors from Orange County – the other NHL club from Southern California.

The Anaheim Ducks just couldn’t keep up.

The Kings will move up, and do so against their Pacific Division opponent from up North, who they have recent postseason history against.

San Jose was the opponent in the Kings 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals series, and it was a lopsided affair that turned out to be much closer than expected, and was certainly closer than the results that series ultimately showed.

The Sharks prevailed against us in the 2011 NHL Playoffs, but it was so against a much younger, weaker Kings roster.

If you compare the growth and improvement of each of these rosters since that 2011 postseason bout, the Kings’ plus-side blows the Sharks out of the water.

The Kings were without Anze Kopitar in that one and only previous postseason matchup with the San Jose Sharks, while he was recovering from a broken ankle that left him out of the lineup indefinitely.

But the young stars were definite.

Doughty’s dos

No Dought

Drew Doughty, who was moderately quiet throughout the majority of the regular season, but ended up with a respectable six goals and 16 assists for 22 points at season’s end, reignited his clutch offensive ways Friday night against the St. Louis Blues in Game six, notching the Kings’ first goal of the contest with the kind of moves and suave we’ve come to know all too well from #8 the previous two years.

Playoff ‘Bout

Youth Hangout

Plus Some: The Kings’ youth carried them through their last postseason matchup against the San Jose Sharks in 2011, but their development – plus some absolutely crucial additions to the roster via the aggressive ways of GM Dean Lombardi, should make this upcoming Western Conference Semifinals series a great opportunity not just for revenge, but overall self-proof of what this roster has beautifully grown to become to be.

Kyle Clifford‘s the one player who you can connect with both the Kings’ current position, and the Kings’ playoff matchup against the San Jose Sharks in April of 2011.

He was, at times, the best player for the Kings in this past Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the St. Louis Blues.

And as an NHL rookie, he was rocking the same type of impact.

Red Dog, Light

Purple light: The Kings, in that series, would retire a bit of history, wearing purple on the road for the final time in their 3-1 victory in Game 5 of the 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals.

The player to tally the third and final goal for the Kings in their purple visiting sweaters was Dustin Penner, the same player to bury the game-winning tally on Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues.

Oil left in the Tank

The White/Purple road uniforms were retired that year.

The Black/Purple home uniforms were retired this year.

Dustin Penner won’t be a King next year.

It’s just mother nature’s cycle.

Laser Penner

Don’t get caught up with Dustin Penner now, just love his current play. It’s like a dying light bulb shining it’s brightest before it’s, well, ending.

If playoffs was in her Pepsi cup

This innocent little girl would be choking.

Whether it be like Old Times

Or what Today finds

Just let it Roll

Fresh Feelings

The Kings played the San Jose Sharks only four times during this season’s shortened and compacted schedule due to the NHL‘s rather lengthy lockout.

They pulled out ahead in the end, but just barely, finishing with a 2-1-1 record against Northern California’s black and teal.

Each team has earned two points when playing in home confines. The Kings, however, were able to snag a point from San Jose at HP Pavilion on April 16th, forcing that night’s date with the Sharks to go past regulation.

The Kings outscored the Sharks 13-10 during regulation play.

It’s all off the books now.

Don’t depend on anything.

Not even a Hail Mary

Puck drops against the San Jose Sharks for Game 1 of the NHL‘s Western Conference Semifinals Tuesday night at 7:00PM PST in Downtown Los Angeles at Staples Center.

Episode 194 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 5 WCQF RECAP – HERE
Episode 195 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 6 WCQF RECAP – HERE
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A trip home can do it all.

For the Kings, the two game return to Staples Center in their Western Conference Quarterfinals dance with the St. Louis Blues saw them pull off two consecutive wins, tying the series 2-2, while rediscovering their offense that trudged through an uncharacteristically cold and ugly start to the postseason.

They rediscovered their winning ways before rejuvenating their offense, winning 1-0 Saturday night at Staples Center in Game 3 of the series. The Kings maintained their one-goal-per game quota in Game 3, but this time around, Jonathan Quick made sure no off-hand mistakes were made to grant St. Louis any success.

Talk about a save.

The Kings were lifted by a defenseman offensively in their Game 3 shutout victory, Vyacheslav Voynov tallying the lone goal of the contest that would ultimately breathe new life into the Kings’ playoff run.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 192 – LAK/STL Game 3 WCQF RECAP

Voynov, who is playing in only his second NHL season, has looked like a veteran from the day he joined the Kings’ roster as a 21 year-old on the evening of October 18, 2011, his debut game which came against none other than the St. Louis Blues.

Since then, he’s solidified himself as an absolute staple to the Kings’ blue-line.

A staple that locked up Game 3.

Debut Strut

Pro Cut

Game 3 Kaput

Nothing New About it

Quick Fixin’

Cement in the Crease: The Kings, without Jonathan Quick, would not have had a prayer in even coming close in Games 1 and 2 in this series against the St. Louis Blues without last year’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner’s stalwart play.

You can’t expect much when you score just once in 60 minutes.

Unfortunately, though, Quick’s costly mistakes to Alexander Steen‘s penalty-kill pressure in Game 1 and Barret Jackman‘s hapless shot in Game 2 cost the Kings their two losses.

This was as much the fault of the Kings’ offense as it was Jonathan Quick‘s, but Quick proved to be the bigger asset first – granting the Kings a win without a shutout performance, stopping every single one of St. Louis’ 30 shots Saturday night.

The Kings’ struggling offense was saved in Game 3, but two nights later, they took matters into their own hands in Game 4.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 193 – LAK/STL Game 4 WCQF RECAP

Monday night proved to be a barn-burner at Staples Center, the Kings overcoming two deficits offensively, recording four goals against the St. Louis Blues to land their second-straight win, while finally giving Jonathan Quick some well-deserved support.

The scoring itself came in abundance, and it leaked to just about half of the Kings’ roster.

11 Kings players recorded at least one point in Game 4 Monday night.

Record it with a Penner and Paper

Circuit City

Purposeful Penner: Throughout his two-year tenure with the Kings, which will likely come to an end after this season, Dustin Penner‘s presence has been portrayed in a rather negative fashion, which, at times, has been the cold-hard and honest look at the veteran winger’s performance.

He’s found a new wind in the Kings’ playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, looking faster and more prone to induce production than he ever has in a Los Angeles uniform.

In his four games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, Dustin Penner has been a hot commodity for the Kings’ offensive pressure.

Penner has laid 10 hits on St. Louis, he’s directed nine shots Brian Elliott‘s way, and he’s scored a goal, that quite frankly, the Kings couldn’t have done without in order to pull away with a win in Game 4 Monday night.

Who says you can’t still pull some moves as an aging NHL forward, on and off the ice, even after a nasty divorce.

It’s better than that pancake sh*t.

Speaker City

Kopitar Fitting

20 games, 41 days

That was the span Anze Kopitar had gone without recording a goal until he keyed on Dustin Brown‘s outstanding puck possession and the needle-thread like pass he fed to Kopitar in the 3rd period Monday night.

The Kings were just 12:46 minutes away from a dreadful 3-1 series deficit.

And then, the two most tenured players on this roster, the two names that have been the strongest identities to this organization, the two that have grown together during some of the darkest days this franchise has been through, came through.

Dustin Brown, who built the Kings’ game-tying goal in Game 4 Monday night with his utterly dominating possession of the puck deep in the Blues’ zone, was waiting anxiously for some help to execute on the defensive scramble St. Louis found itself in.

He was waiting for Anze Kopitar to come back.

Family Time

Anze Kopitar came home.

Nothing wrong with coming through the back door.

Rally back, Monkey off the back

Game 5 Jive

How do you want it: The Kings, fresh off a win that saw their rejuvenated roster record points from 11 different players in Game 4, head back to St. Louis, Missouri for Game 5 in the same exact fashion – rejuvenated. 

It’s back to Scottrade Center.

You couldn’t trade the game’s setting for the world.

Because when you’re playing, you’re playing.

Where? It shouldn’t matter.

Keep it going, now.

Puck drops in downtown St. Louis, Missouri Wednesday evening for Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center at 6:00PM PST.

Episode 192 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 3 WCQF RECAP – HERE
Episode 193 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 4 WCQF RECAP – HERE
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How do ya do?

Down 0-2, that’s new.

Here’s the story of Jarret Stoll‘s shift during Barret Jackman‘s game-winning goal in Game 2 Thursday night by the way.

It was so f*cking brutal the empty rage sickens, so I’ll avoid it.

Jarret Stoll was candy to St. Louis’ approach during the final minute.

Candy.

Tell me how happy you are.

Stomach it

How’s my hair

F*cking sh*t it was brutal.

Want to talk about leaving a goalie hung out to dry?

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 191 – LAK/STL Game 2 RECAP

Quick’s been hanging on clothes pins folks.

Roll with it

On to the Next One

The Kings begin a playoff series at Staples Center like no other way they have in recent history. They’re accustomed to hosting the third game of a series, but never have they done so when facing an 0-2 ditch in the past 12 years.

They’re going to have to prove themselves where they have the most all season long, on home-ice at Staples Center, where in 24 games, the Kings solidified the NHL‘s best home record, racking up a 19-4-1 record.

The Kings came back home to Staples Center 1-1 against the Vancouver Canucks in April of 2010, they came back home 1-1 against the San Jose Sharks in April of 2011, and came back home in all four postseason series’ with a dominating 2-0 series lead last spring during the 2012 playoffs.

If you were seeking adversity, it’s here; loud and clear.

If you want to look for an answer, don’t succumb to history.

Every playoff series the Kings have played against the St. Louis Blues in NHL history has been decided in a sweep, each club either winning every matchup, or losing in whole.

Looking back to last year won’t help you either, the Kings find themselves in completely new territory.

Even adversity ain’t free.

Old Times

Stoll’s Dimes

Take a Knee

Home Cooking

Save my Spot

Three’s Key: Scoring, and most notably, scoring first, will be a major factor for the Kings in Game 3 Saturday night at Staples Center. The Kings have been cold as ice against Brian Elliott this series, scoring just twice on a combined 67 shots on the Blues’ goaltender.

The Kings are in an offensive tangle, struggling not only to score, but develop any kind of constant threat or pressure to the Blues’ defensive corps.

If the Kings are to settle the nerves, they need to act early at in Game 3 Saturday night at Staples Center.

In the Kings’ previous 10 wins against the St. Louis Blues, they’ve recorded the first goal in each of those contests.

Hit ‘em early and often Saturday night at the Stape.

Fits into the pattern, no?

Square Dance

Anze Kopitar.

Are you here?

Puck drops in Downtown Los Angeles for Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues at Staples Center at 7:00PM PST Saturday night.

Episode 191 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 2 WCQF RECAP – HERE
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Did you feel a pinch?

Tuesday night hurt.

The Kings’ 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals was a slap back to reality if you will, a little jolt to refresh you on what life in the NHL playoffs is really about.

Snap out of that 2012 magic.

The scoreboard didn’t do Tuesday night’s contest justice. Jonathan Quick was turning away digit changes on Scottrade Center‘s score clocks under St. Louis’ name at a rate faster than his own last name.

Quick saved the Kings Tuesday night, absolutely stood on his head in a phenomenal effort to give our lackluster roster any prayer of a chance to win the contest.

Ironically, and in utterly painful fashion, Jonathan Quick also lost the game for the Kings.

*NEW KingsCastTV: Episode 190 – LAK/STL Game 1 RECAP

It was a missed opportunity to wreck and absolutely bury St. Louis’ psychological state.

It was a missed opportunity to, and I say this in the most literal way possible, steal a game from the St. Louis Blues.

Because to be fair, level-headed, and accountable about the Kings’ performance in their postseason opener on Tuesday night; they certainly, and without a doubt, did not deserve to win that contest. The fact Justin Williams found a sliver of open space atop the left shoulder of the Blues’ Brian Elliott with just :31.6 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime was a steal in itself.

A steal, that is, that the Kings would get caught loose-handed with in the overtime frame.

Where Momma keeps the Cookies

Quick Bounce

Dancing with the Disc: The St. Louis Blues were looking for a glimmer of hope against the Kings Tuesday night, one that would provide a boost of confidence to a team the Kings had defeated eight consecutive times, and in 10 of their previous 11 meetings.

All it takes is one bounce, one play.

When you’re as unfortunate as the Blues have been against the Kings, you’re not so much leaning on the execution of a set play, but the advantage of a unique, jaw-dropping instance that figures into a magnificent development that revives you more than a lay after a dry period.

That happened to the Blues, the Kings felt it. It came at the 6:34 mark of the first overtime period, just after the Kings had been granted a golden opportunity from the act of a stick hitting face.

Kevin Shattenkirk caught Dustin Penner with a high stick behind the net just :41 seconds of game-play prior to Alexander Steen‘s game-winning tally.

Shattenkirk’s stick didn’t just strike Penner’s mug, it struck blood, signaling an automatic double-minor 4:00 minute powerplay for the Kings. This, just as the Kings were showing signs of their old selves, deep into a period that saw them reclaim momentum on St. Louis, outshooting the Blues 10-5 and controlling the majority of puck possession.

Script it as a steal, the Kings were running away with absolute robbery.

Then they got caught, caught sleeping when the St. Louis blues were not just down, but short-handed.

Dabble with it

Short handed, hot handed

Your Medicine: The Blues beat the Kings Tuesday night, the same way the Kings beat the Blues in last year’s Western Conference Semifinals series, where the Kings swept St. Louis convincingly with four straight victories.

Matt Greene recorded the Kings’ game-winning goal in Game 1 of their series with the St. Louis Blues last season on April 28, 2012 at Scottrade Center in short-handed fashion.

Alexander Steen potted the game-winner for St. Louis in Game 1 this time around, also in short-handed fashion.

Call it walking on flip-flops.

The Kings scored two short-handed goals in all against the St. Louis Blues last postseason, with Anze Kopitar netting the eventual game-tying goal en rout to the Kings locking up a 5-2 victory on March 30th, 2012 at Scottrade Center.

For the first time in five postseason series’ the Kings have lost the opening contest. The four previous series’ began on the road as well, the Kings regaining home-ice advantage with each of their Game 1 victories.

Scoring first against the Blues has proven critical to the Kings success against them in the past. Scoring in general is key as well. The Kings outscored the Blues 15-6 in four playoff meetings last season, and outscored them 14-7 in their three regular season meetings this year.

The Kings, after last night had lost to the Blues just one other time in 12 meetings. Offensive struggle was a factor, the Kings getting shutout 1-0 on February 3rd, 2012 at Scottrade Center.

All you can do is regroup.

All ‘Willy-Nilly’ Like

F*ck I forgot

The Game 2 Blues

In form.

Play it out now

This one’s bigger than you think.

The start-time almost mirrors the Kings’ regularly scheduled starts on Staples Center‘s rink.

Puck drops for Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues Thursday night at Scottrade Center at 6:30PM PST.

St. Louis wants to stay up late for this one.

Bueno!

Episode 190 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 1 WCQF RECAP – HERE
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No matter how favorable history may be, just don’t lean on it.

One bounce, one fidget is all it takes to swing momentum, which at this time of year, you know, can spread faster than a flame in open air.

It’s playoff hockey for the Kings, a thing that has become all too familiar with this organization as of late; the Kings now making their fourth consecutive appearance in the NHL‘s postseason tournament, the familiarity seemingly fitting the expectations.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 189 – LA Kings lock up 5th in the West

The Kings’ Western Conference Quarterfinals opponent is familiar as well, one the Kings defeated in stunningly dominant fashion during last spring’s Stanley Cup Championship run, and one the Kings have, for the past two years as a whole, yes you said it – dominated.

It’s the St. Louis Blues for the Kings, who will play host to the start of the series, the first puck slated to be dropped Tuesday evening at the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis, Missouri.

Have your Number

Digits: It’s without a doubt that the Kings have been flirting with complete command over the St. Louis Blues as of late, and last season’s four-game sweep of the Blues in the Western Conference Semifinals is just the tip of it.

The Kings ousted the Blues from the playoffs last season in an absolute ruthless fashion. In their four straight wins, the Kings outscored St. Louis 15-6, sending the Blues’ young roster into a state of timid dysfunction from start to finish.

In all, the Kings have beat the St. Louis Blues eight consecutive times, dating back to March 22nd of 2012 when the Kings earned two points with a 1-0 shootout victory over St. Louis at Staples Center.

They’ve also beaten St. Louis in 10 of the last 11 games overall, the lone St. Louis victory coming in a 1-0 fashion on February 3rd, 2o12 at Scottrade Center.

This season, the Kings posted a 3-0 record against the St. Louis Blues, matching Missouri’s blue-notes two goals for their every one, outscoring the Blues 14-7 in their three contests between each other during the regular season.

Like it was Easy

Blues’ Plus

Two of the three Kings’ contests against the St. Louis Blues this season were played in Missouri at the Scottrade Center, the other in Downtown Los Angeles at Staples Center. All results favored the Kings, and at times, those results carried on.

The Kings’ first meeting against the Blues on February 11th ignited this roster just as soon as the season’s schedule started to grow legs. The Kings entered that contest with a sub-par, completely mediocre 3-5-2 record on the season.

After two goals from Jeff Carter, two assists from Vyacheslav Voynov, and a 21-save performance from Jonathan Bernier, the Kings were in business.

The Kings would pull off an 11-3-0 record after that win in St. Louis on February 11th, washing away the distaste of their 3-5-2 start, fueling the push that has landed them in the NHL playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

That 11-3-0 aftermath included the Kings’ biggest comeback of the season, the Kings overcoming a three-goal deficit in defeating the St. Louis Blues 6-4 at Staples Center on March 5th.

What’s the Muzz?

Comeback City: The Kings, with two goals from Rookie defenseman Jake Muzzin and points from 10 players on the roster, overcome a slow start that saw head coach Darryl Sutter pull Jonathan Bernier from the game in favor of Jonathan Quick.

Jonathan Quick would make five saves during the 38:46 minutes he played in relief of Bernier, allowing just one goal.

The Kings, during that 38:46 minutes Jonathan Quick played, would match Quick’s save-total with goals, dropping five unanswered goals on the St. Louis Blues to run away with a stunning 6-4 victory.

The game-winner came off the stick of Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar followed up with an insurance claim.

Cart Dart

Anzsurance

Cold but Bold: Since that game-closing goal on March 5th at Staples Center, Anze Kopitar has recorded just two goals for the Kings. That’s a 26 game span, and Kopitar’s in a scoring drought we’ve rarely seen the franchise’s forward trudge through.

But this is the playoffs.

Just as meaningless as Anze Kopitar‘s goal-drought is come Tuesday night in St. Louis, is the Kings’ recent string of overwhelming success against the St. Louis Blues.

That’s why they call the playoffs the second season. All prior happenings are wiped clean from the slate, it simply comes down to a race to four victories.

Quick to the Point

“We both start at 0-0. And we’re going to have to outwork them. They’ve got some big forwards, strong forwards, they go hard to the net. Strong on the back end, a couple skilled guys that can really create stuff on the power play, and obviously they’ve got great goaltending.” – Quick via LA Times

Don’t get caught Short

Puck drops for Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals Tuesday at Scottrade Center against the St. Louis Blues at 5:00PM PST.

Episode 189 KingsCast TV: LA Kings lock up 5th in West – HERE
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Saturday night’s regular season finale could be a case of déjà vu, it could be a precursor.

Pick your outlook at-will.

Even after three consecutive NHL postseason appearances and a Stanley Cup championship to their name, the Kings, in that span, have yet to start a playoff series at Staples Center.

The Kings haven’t had the numbers to earn home-ice advantage in a playoff series in 21 years, not since their 1992 Smythe Division Semifinals series against the Edmonton Oilers, when the Kings still played at Inglewood’s Great Western Forum.

According to the Kings’ opponent coming to Staples Center Saturday, it’s déjà vu for you. The Kings also finished off last year’s regular season slate against the San Jose Sharks, albeit in Northern California at the HP Pavilion.

According to the Kings’ current positioning in the NHL‘s Western Conference standings, Saturday’s regular season date with the Sharks is a precursor to a possible first-round playoff matchup against San Jose in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Beside the San Jose Sharks, there are two other possible opponents the Kings could see come the start of the playoffs being the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks.

Of the Kings’ three possible first-round playoff opponents, they have seen each one of them at least once in the postseason the previous three years.

There’s nothing wrong with some familiarity come the playoffs. The Kings are 6-5 against the Vancouver Canucks (WCQF 2010, WCQF 2012), they’re 4-0 against the St. Louis Blues (WCSF 2012), and 2-4 against the San Jose Sharks (WCQF 2011).

Those results are far from shabby.

The same can’t be said for the Kings’ recent two-game swing in the Midwest.

Chin Check

Hunt for Home

If either the Kings or Sharks want any hope of snagging the the final ‘home-ice’ slot (4th) in the Western Conference standings, the St. Louis Blues must lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation Saturday night at Scottrade Center.

If the Blues do in fact lose, the Kings matchup with the Sharks Saturday night has a simply, yet bold implication. They’ll be playing for home-ice advantage in the Western Conference Quarterfinals – flat out, no other fine print in the mix.

Home-ice advantage is something the Kings want, even after the outstanding 10-1 record they pulled off in opposing buildings last spring during the 2012 NHL Playoffs.

The Kings own the NHL‘s best record on home ice this season, playing ruthless hockey at Staples Center, posting an 18-4-1 record.

Kyle Clifford, who scored the lone goal in the Kings’ loss to the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night at Joe Louis Arena, knows the grounds of a playoff matchup with the San Jose Sharks all too well.

San Jose, can you see

The #13 Lean

Going Fourth, California North

Office Talk

Ice Gawk

Defensive when it’s Offensive: The Kings have had dates with the San Jose Sharks on three previous occasions this season, tallying up a 1-1-1 record. Each club has won when playing on home ice.

The Kings put on an offensive clinic March 16 at Staples Center, whaling on the Sharks with goals aplenty in a 5-2 victory that saw 12 Kings players record at least one point.

In both contests against the Sharks at HP Pavilion this season, March 14 and April 16, the Kings lost both times; Once in regulation, and once in extended time, falling in a shootout decider in the most recent date against the Sharks on April 16.

Defenseman Matt Greene hasn’t played against the San Jose Sharks this season, missing all three dates while recovering from back surgery, from an injury he suffered on January 19 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Greene returned to the Kings’ lineup last Thursday, but in unpolished form.

Matt Greene won’t play against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night either.

When you’re injured and out of the lineup for 42 consecutive contests, the return isn’t going to be glamorous – especially when the rest of the roster is preparing for the most high-tempo point of the season, that being the playoffs.

Right now is a very dangerous time to return to action after an injury as a hockey player. I don’t care what level. In fact, it doesn’t even matter the sport.

If you’re not in regular game form, then maintaining pace in a postseason rhythm becomes a huge threat to the recovery process.

What you’re balancing with Matt Greene is extreme. A proven, yet still fragile defensive staple for the playoffs, or letting the asset train fruitfully for the next six months.

Was Ellerby that bad?

No time for family

It’s the playoffs, fool.

R.S.V.P.

Light Corps: Both Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick will be in the lineup for Saturday’s contest against the San Jose Sharks, but the Kings remain without Captain Dustin Brown, who received a two-game suspension from the NHL for his hit on Jason Pominville Tuesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Darryl Sutter is expected to pencil in Jonathan Quick to start the regular season finale in the crease for the Kings. Quick, when shaky this season, has been so when the San Jose Sharks are the opponent. He’s started twice against San Jose this season, and those performances haven’t been worthy of space in the memory books.

Quick started the Kings’ first game against the Sharks this season, but was pulled from his duties by Darryl Sutter midway through the contest after surrendering three goals on San Jose’s first 12 shots.

Jonathan Bernier would come in for relief of Quick on March 14th, and start against the San Jose Sharks on April 16th – earning the win while stopping 20 of 22 Sharks shots in a 5-2 win at Staples Center.

Sutter would return to Jonathan Quick in the Kings’ last contest against the Sharks, and he was impressive to say the least. Jonathan Quick stopped 33 of San Jose’s shots, but surrendered a shootout tally to Raffi Torres, granting San Jose the win.

Anze Kopitar, who after suffering a broken ankle in March of 2011, was missed dearly in April of 2011 during the Kings’ playoff series against the San Jose Sharks, which saw the Kings swallow elimination in six games, losing three of their four bouts with the Sharks in overtime.

If there’s a solid time for Anze Kopitar to make his offensive presence known again, that time would most certainly be Saturday night.

Kopitar hasn’t scored since March 25th in Chicago, a 15-game span.

The Kings are without Dustin Brown again for Saturday’s meeting. You’d like to see Kopitar shoulder some success for this roster heading into the playoffs.

Don’t call it a Hail Mary

Captain’s Out

Due two his two-game suspension, Dustin Brown will miss the Kings’ regular season finale Saturday night. The Kings’ Captain will be back in action when it counts most, though, when the playoffs start next week.

If there’s one thing you can be sure about, it’s Brown’s return.

The Kings’ postseason status is up in the air on all counts, with home-ice scheduling and a first-round opponent still with tagged with multiple possibilities.

The beauty though, is the postseason certainty this organization has built in spectacular fashion.

You don’t need to act like you’ve been there before when you’ve been there before.

Time for another run.

See you Saturday

Be prepared for a dandy.

Puck drops in Downtown Los Angeles at Staples Center against the San Jose Sharks Saturday night at 7:30PM PST.

Episode 188 KingsCast TV: The March to the Playoffs – HERE
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One starts the show, two in :16 seconds can steal it.

Sometimes desperation wins.

For the Kings in St. Paul, Minnesota Tuesday night, desperation is what they were up against; a Minnesota Wild club that was clawing to maintain life in their efforts to clinch their first NHL postseason bid since with 2007-’08 season.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 188 – LA Kings March to the Playoffs, in April

The Kings mathematically clinched a playoff berth over the weekend, but they’re still fighting to take hold of another accomplishment, and one that could most certainly play a respectable role come the start of the playoffs next week.

That’s home-ice advantage, something the Kings haven’t had in any of their playoff appearances the previous three seasons; unless it’s earned by winning on the road, of course. If home-ice was a factor during the playoffs last season, the Kings surely didn’t take it into account.

Home ice you say? The Kings barreled off a 10-1 record in opposing buildings last postseason.

However, Staples Center has been more than just the Kings’ home this season, it’s where they’re winning – it’s a place you’d like to see them kick off their defense of last year’s Stanley Cup Championship.

The Kings hold the NHL‘s best home record this season with an 18-4-1 mark.

Currently sitting at 4th-place in the NHL‘s Western Conference, the Kings are sitting in a spot that would grant them a series start at Staples Center if the playoffs started today. Two games still remain though, and both the St. Louis Blues (5th) and San Jose Sharks (6th) are both serious threats to overtake the Kings’ comfortable position right now, both of them one and two points behind in the standings respectively.

Before the Kings return home to close out the regular season against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center next Saturday night, it’s a quick visit to Detroit, Michigan and the Joe Louis Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Detroit Red Wings, who the Kings are familiar with on home-ice in the postseason.

And a team that is flirting, and heavily so, with failing to qualify for the NHL playoffs for the first time in 21 seasons.

That’s why they call it ‘HockeyTown‘.

You’d have to back-track to 1990 since Michigan’s wheel and wing was outside of the NHL‘s playoff picture.

Detroit at Home

To Detroit, then Home

Two to go: The Kings, 46 games into this year’s shortened campaign, have two games left on the regular season’s slate. One of them is on the road, against a team that is fighting to earn a spot in the playoffs. The other is home at Staples Center, against a well-known foe that is fighting to overtake the Kings in the standings to earn home-ice confines in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

The Detroit Red Wings maintained their postseason pace with a win against the Phoenix Coyotes Monday night, which just about put the Coyotes’ playoff hopes to rest.

This time, Detroit did it to Phoenix in the regular season.

The Kings have seen the Detroit Red Wings twice this season, once at home and once in Michigan. The series is split 1-1-0, with each club earning a win in their home building.

The first contest between the two on February 10 at Joe Louis Arena was decided with under five seconds to play. The second contest, this time at Staples Center on February 17, was decided with under five minutes to play.

 Kopi’s got Wings

Fly High

Proven Performance(s)

A Cold Bern

Crease Conundrum: After seeing head coach Darryl Sutter swap goaltenders for a solid period of time throughout the middle of the season, Jonathan Quick subtly earned back his ‘every day’ label, getting the call in the previous five Kings’ contests prior to Tuesday night, and six of the Kings’ previous seven.

Jonathan Quick returned to his old, solidly dependable form, going 4-0-1 in a stretch in which he started five consecutive games for the Kings.

Jonathan Bernier, who started his 11th game this season Tuesday night, lost his first start in regulation against the Minnesota Wild, getting caught after what was a very strong start by the Kings, to surrender two goals within :16 seconds of each other in the first period.

Quick will be back in the crease tomorrow in Detroit, Michigan, and likely again at Staples Center on Saturday night.

The goaltending situation is just about as good as it can be heading into the playoffs. Jonathan Quick, with a healthy streak of contests under his wing, has found what seems to be last season’s form back in his swing.

And if needed, Jonathan Bernier is there.

Who is, and extremely arguably so, the best backup goalie option any of the NHL‘s 16 playoff teams have on their depth chart.

Voynov’s gotta go high

Minnesota’s Alive: There are times when the failure to execute on a golden opportunity can be exonerated by the team’s overall performance throughout the game. The Kings didn’t play a full 60 minutes of hockey Tuesday night, they got caught sleeping early, and by then, it was too late.

When you lay back, you don’t get bounces.

When you lay back with a player that beholds the skill-set such as Mike Richards, you’ll still get passes.

You’ll still get chances, you’ll still get opportunity.

Vyacheslav Voynov‘s free on this one. Just needed a tad more lift on that release, kid.

Mike Richards‘ pass crossed more lanes than O.J.Simpson‘s Ford Bronco in ’94.

Look What I Found

Last Looks

Red Wings, Red Light: The Kings suffered from poor offensive results Tuesday night, and a lack of productivity on the special teams’ end may have something do to with it. The Kings had just one powerplay opportunity in Minnesota, and failed to record a shot.

This breaks the Kings’ streak of powerplay goals recorded in consecutive games, which was at an astounding eight straight contests with a Kings tally on the man-advantage.

Matt Greene has been himself, his ‘return from injury‘ self. Greene’s had some slips in quickness and coverage, but nothing a return to every day activity can’t mend. He’ll be along for the ride.

That ride hits it’s second-to-last regular season installment Wednesday night.

Big-eyed About it

Detroit’s got history on the line, and a Kings win would situate local playoff hockey just fine.

Puck drops in Detroit, Michigan at Joe Louis Arena at 4:30PM PST on Wednesday. Have the car’s radio-dial situated to KTLK 1150 AM for that cruise home from work.

Episode 188 KingsCast TV: The March to the Playoffs – HERE
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Saturday night’s contest with the OC’s orange and black has prime-time written on it in more ways than one.

It trumps thoughts of Dodger Stadium from wherever you are to Chavez Ravine and back.

Don’t get swayed.

At this time last year, the Kings were already in the midst of their unseen and delightfully unexpected playoff run, a run to a Stanley Cup championship that wasn’t just a historic feat in the NHL, but in the world of sports all together.

Tonight marks the one-year date of Dustin Brown going short-circuit against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Maybe they didn’t see it coming

Look back at it

Look now, it’s Prime Time

The NHL will spotlight it’s attention on the league’s two clubs from Southern California Saturday, which is certainly a postseason precursor with both the Kings and Anaheim Ducks extremely well en rout to solidifying playoff positions. Anaheim has already clinched a postseason berth.

The Kings are as close as it comes if we’re going to talk mathematics.

Staples Center has the Kings’ 42nd contest of the season slated for an 8:00PM PST puck-drop Saturday night, which is unprecedented for hockey contests in Downtown Los Angeles.

This will be the first time, in the 20 possible seasons it could have happened since the Anaheim Ducks‘ franchise was inaugurated in 1993, that both the Kings and the Ducks will qualify for the postseason in the same year. 19 seasons if you delete the lockout that wiped out the entire 2005-’06 NHL season.

Denver Relations

Both clubs are coming off of appearances against the NHL‘s last-place Colorado Avalanche. The Anaheim Ducks were owned in every asset Wednesday night against Colorado, losing 4-1, right after former Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastian Giguere called out his current Avalanche teammates.

The Kings fared quite a bit better off against Colorado, but did allow the game a to get a bit too close for comfort. After pouncing on Sami Aittokallio early, a 20-year old rookie out of Finland making his first-career NHL start, the game slowed down rapidly.

When you’re playing a bad team, and the pace of the game slows down, it’s not a good thing.

The Kings played extra hockey against Colorado, only their sixth contest to extend into OT/SO this season. All three shooters for the Kings in the shootout frame (Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar) scored to earn a full two points, and surrender one to a hapless team in the standings.

Well done, especially considering the last two shootouts the Kings went into – which were against the Minnesota Wild, and of course, the Anaheim Ducks. The Kings faltered terribly in both, with Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier failing to stop one opponent shot respectively, surrendering three breakaway bids apiece.

Shootout Suave

The Kings were able to solve their shootout problems Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche by evading any expectations from their goaltender. Opposition had scored on the Kings in the shootout on every shot in their past two show outs in a breakaway contest.

They had allowed goals on the opposition’s previous seven shootout attempts leading up to Thursday night.

This time around, the Kings took their notes to the net, quieting the Colorado Avalanche and the hot-mouthed Jean-Sebastian Giguere by doing it the only way best – scoring on every shot you take.

This time, they took back momentum. When you’re on home-ice, you’ve got the choice to take the first shot in the shootout. That can be the deal breaker.

Sometimes the first shot does it. Because then, the flood gates are cracked open.

Let’s call it the can-opener

See you Saturday

Big Date: Tonight will mark the Kings’ fourth and final meeting against the Anaheim Ducks this season, who they hold a 1-1-1 record against in the campaign’s previous three meetings. In the season series, each club has earned a full two points when playing in their home building.

If that trend continues to ride true, Downtown Los Angeles should be an attractive setting for tonight’s affair.

Jonathan Quick will get the call – his third straight start between the pipes.

Puck drops against the Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center at 8:00PM PST.

Episode 187 KingsCast TV: Find us on our iPhones – HERE
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There’s times when you just see it shaping together. You just see it.

For the short-sighted, it’s best to forget tonight’s debacle in Dallas, Texas.

And for this article’s sake as well.

Drew Doughty‘s fifth season in a Kings uniform has been a respectably impressive, yet terribly underrated one. Most of the quiet criticism has centered on the 24 year-old’s low offensive output this year, which is, well, the way many faces came to know the youngblood.

If Doughty has built his NHL resume on one key or attention-grabbing tactic, it’s that of his knack to score at the position he plays, and in the casual, yet baffling way he does it. When it becomes a big enough threat to your game, the opposition is going to adapt. Either that, or you’re going to hit a bump in the road, a la a human being.

Statisticians have been busy with Drew Doughty‘s name the previous three regular season campaigns, where the Kings’ defenseman tallied 37 goals and 98 total assists. When you add serious dependability on the defensive end – which is his main job, well, you’ve got quite a player.

The buzz made sense.

Now you see him with four goals and 14 assists through 40 games this season. And those numbers mean as little as they are low – low, if we’re talking the expectations Drew Doughty’s built.

You may want to be reminded of Drew Doughty early last season after his lengthy contract dispute, which saw him sit out the Kings’ entire training camp and preseason schedule. There, you’re going to be fulfilled with highlights of a defenseman being out of his designated position at crucial times, due to an overdose of his offensive knack, ultimately hurting the team.

Probably not, though. Maybe you’re looking for an answer to right now.

Maybe it’s got something to do with Doughty maturing; taking on a more responsible, defensive approach. That doesn’t mean his future sees him as a stay-at-home defenseman. Please now.

Maybe it’s got something to do with the Kings having the best offensive scheme they’ve ever had in franchise history. Jarret Stoll isn’t our 3rd-leading scorer these days. The defense can play their game.

Maybe it’s got something to do with the Kings starting the season and playing it through so far without the two biggest stay-at-home defensively stalwart names on this roster: Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene.

Maybe the Kings are in 4th-place in the Western Conference with eight games left to play, with a comfortable gap in points, just about cuing a fourth-straight appearance to the NHL playoffs.

Maybe the Kings got throttled tonight by the Dallas Stars, falling by a horrid 5-1 score at the American Airlines Center via surrendering four-unanswered third period goals.

Maybe it’s just one game.

Maybe he’s just getting started

While one finishes

Cup and Out: It was basically already figured, but Willie Mitchell will be out for the remainder of the season, with no return to the Kings’ lineup expected, no matter how lengthy a postseason stretch could last.

I say it out of respect, and what I think many others – deep down, would like to see happen as well: Good career, Willie Mitchell. From a real life perspective, Mitchell should call it a done deal.

The guy can still play, and the Kings would love to have him back on the ice. His unfortunate health history is not worth the return. He’s suffered a myriad of concussions, and has been sidelined all season for a “different” injury.

To put it simply: Life itself, especially with a family involved, is not worth risking while playing the game of hockey. Especially so, when you’ve had an NHL career-run such as Willie Mitchell‘s.

Call it finishing on top.

And better yet, with plenty of life ahead.

Headway

Facetime, Replace time: Because really, the biggest concern regarding this roster at the beginning of the season was the defense. Major injuries to Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell at the beginning of the season seemed to weaken the Kings’ defensive corps terribly.

This is when depth and minor league development pays off. The Kings have the ninth-best Goals-Against-Average percentage in the NHL today, allowing a calculated 2.36 goals per game.

That, without the presence of the two biggest penalty-killers, shot-blockers, and lane cloggers on the Kings’ roster. For the Kings to find themselves where they are today without Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene playing regularly, is saying something extremely special.

It speaks to the second-year Vyacheslav Voynov, who plays like a 10-year veteran. It praises Jake Muzzin, who’s poise trumps that of all other Rookie defensemen in the NHL. It thanks Davis Drewiske for his last-minute time, and gives Robyn Regehr a chance to play alongside #8.

But you talk about a backbone

Colorado Down: The Kings are playing the NHL‘s lowest of lows Thursday night at Staples Center, slated to host the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado is in the midst of some dark days, holding the NHL‘s lowest point-total, with internal struggles tagging along for the ride.

Time to pounce.

On who other, than the team Drew Doughty netted his first-career NHL goal against.

Colorado Doughty

Puck drops at Staples Center against the Colorado Avalanche at 7:30PM PST Thursday.

Episode 186 KingsCast TV: Robyn Regehr in, Davis Drewiske out – HERE
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Chin up, baby.

The Kings returned to Staples Center for the first time in 12 days Thursday night, where they hadn’t scored a single goal in 124:16 consecutive minutes of play.

The key is to dismiss the low-points and move forward.

And that they did, scoring on their first two shots against the Minnesota Wild Thursday night in what was a magnificent start to an extremely important contest, forcing the impressive Niklas Backstrom to be sent to the showers just 3:07 into the first period.

By then, it’s already too late if you’ve made the second mistake twice.

Because when you falter in the same fashion twice, you’re not moving ahead. The Kings know that. Minnesota had no business repeating last week’s happenings in St. Paul Thursday night at Staples Center. They had no chance.

When you give up a two-goal lead to a team and lose as the result, that same team should have no chance against you the second time around. The mindset, the attack, should be fierce – and most importantly, confident.

The Kings are sitting pretty at the moment, holding the Western Conference‘s 4th-place position with a 21-13-3 record that atones for 45 points. They have eleven regular season games remaining.

I can’t see right now, Justin Williams‘ confidence is all up in my sh*t.

Willy Nilly

Hot Hands

Justin Time: Other than the Kings’ two-game stumble that saw them fail to score in two consecutive contests, the offense has been producing in a consistently pleasant fashion, and a lot of it has to do with Justin Williams and the past three weeks.

Williams is currently on a five-game goal streak, now with six goals in five games after his two-goal performance against the Minnesota Wild Thursday night. In his past 12 games, Williams has matched that number with points, scoring seven goals and dishing 5 assists for a twelve on the stat-sheet.

You add Williams’ presence without the puck he has while on the forecheck and backcheck, and the role he plays so well of clogging lanes, and you realize his importance.

Call him five-tools. Call him five-tools with a shot.

In And Out

Words to go by

Making it work: When you’re able to plug up or adapt to any such weakness, or loss of a player, before there’s any elongating effect that hurts your team, you’re doing quite a top-notch job.

And to do it continually so, in all facets of a roster, like Darryl Sutter has done since arriving in Los Angeles last February, is going to grant you a pretty successful makeup of a team.

There’s something magical about the simple, short-worded, extremely humble and private persona that Darryl Sutter and his mindset beholds. It’s a beautiful fit for a talented roster based in Los Angeles; where the big market city and the overflowing amount of media-crazed coverage can easily protrude a team’s focus and chemistry.

Not so, because Darryl Sutter has this team’s heads in his hands. And by golly gee, if there’s one vital aspect of respect a coach can ask for, or be influential enough to earn, it’s the full-on attention and dedication given to the coach’s voice.

The Kings and Darryl Sutter have that firm understanding. There’s absolutely no question. None.

Working with Anything

Adaptations: The year after a Stanley Cup Championship is never an easy challenge, even if you have a similar roster than you did in the season past. The fact is, you still have to work for it, you still have to earn it, and in every single tiny facet, every minor detail.

From Dean Lombardi staying active this season in making numerous minor acquisitions for depth players and draft picks, to Darryl Sutter putting good use to the hand he’s been dealt, it’s been a rather smooth season for the Kings.

After losing Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell to injuries prior to the start of the season, Darryl Sutter was dealt a huge blow to his defense corps, losing the two defensemen who were the most reliable when it came to dedicate, stay-at-home defensive type play.

When you have Vyacheslav Voynov on your roster, those losses become not as big of a deal.

Like a chipped tooth in the NHL

So, in come Rookie Jake Muzzin, Keaton Ellerby from the Florida Panthers, and why not make some light use of Davis Drewiske?

And since Dean Lombardi dealt Davis Drewiske to the Montreal Canadians, we’ll just replace him with a veteran, much more proven stay-at-home defenseman in Robyn Regehr.

We’ll give him the same number, too. The Kings dressed a new face in an old number: Fourty-Four. And he played the best game you could ask for; Simple and safe, staying true to the role he was brought to Los Angeles for.

Sutter was right in wasting no time getting Robyn Regehr associated with his new teammates in live-action, calling on the veteran defenseman to play Thursday night, and once again, surrendering Alec Martinez as a healthy-scratch.

What have you done for me lately?

Surrounding Talent

And Juggling It: When you first consider having two great goalies in Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier on your roster, you probably couldn’t think of a better goaltending depth chart in the entire NHL. It’s not all glamorous, however.

It’s not easy to balance the play of two elite-touted goaltenders. You’re not just trying to share the minutes, but you’re dealing with the minds of goalies – and the head of a goalie is almost as complex as it gets.

You don’t want to disrupt the flow of a goalie, you don’t want to shatter their confidence, and you certainly don’t want to clash their value against one another.

And most importantly, you don’t desert Jonathan Quick.

It’s a delicate game handling two goalies with the skill both Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier have.

Even though Jonathan Bernier is undefeated in his ten starts (9-0-0), continuing to shuffle the starts between these two goaltenders is key. At best, you maintain both goalies’ confidence and groove. At worst, you figure out who your number one guy is come the start of the playoffs.

Goaltender shuffling in the postseason is an entirely different monster to handle.

Oil-Kings

The Kings will play the Edmonton Oilers Saturday afternoon, who are just one spot out of playoff contention, sitting at ninth-place in the Western Conference. So, there’s absolutely no question they’ll be coming out in full-force.

Day games, or “hangover contests” as I’m accustomed to, don’t usually bode well for the Kings at Staples Center. This season alone, the Kings are 1-2-0 when playing under the sun in Downtown Los Angeles.

The last time the Kings played the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center during the day, you’d have to back-track to February 14th of 2009.

Dustin Penner scored the first of two goals for the Oilers, but Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown netted a couple for the Kings to send the game past regulation.

Dustin Brown, assisted by Kyle Quincey and Alexander Frolov, tipped in the game-tying goal with just :26 seconds left in regulation.

The simple times.

Edmonton under the Sun 2/14/2009

The Kings would go onto fall to the Edmonton Oilers in that contest in a shootout, losing 3-2.

As for shootouts, forget what happened in Minnesota last week. The Kings have seem to overcome it, and showed so Thursday night at Staples Center.

Jonathan Quick doesn’t have a bad swing, though.

Shoot-Ousted

Expect Jonathan Quick to start in net Saturday for the Kings. And expect nothing but the best.

After all, that’s what this team has been built for, and it’s the direction they’re being coached in.

Puck drops at Staples Center at 1:00PM PST Saturday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers.

Episode 185 KingsCast TV: LA Kings visit the White House – HERE
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There’s nothing wrong with staying idle at the deadline.

A player’s trade value to the outside market can be a dangerous reactor in triggering a knee-jerk move at a General Manager’s most vulnerable time.

That time, which Dean Lombardi has divulged into heavily with hot hands the previous three seasons, is just five days away. It’s the cut-off date to move assets, it’s the 2013 NHL trade-deadline, slated to strike it’s time and freeze NHL rosters on April 3rd.

For backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier and the Kings, that outside trade value is gigantic, and a lot of the reap for reward in trading Bernier will be greatly minimized if the Laval, Quebec native isn’t dealt at this campaign’s deadline.

Again, in five days.

To let return-value fully gauge your actions in letting a player flee can be a very dangerous trap to fall into. You first must work with what you have, and look at it hard. Because, if moving a player proves to bite you in a negative fashion just once, that player, now gone, was priceless.

If Dean Lombardi and the Kings are to trade Jonathan Bernier prior to or on April 3rd, you can expect a 1st-Round draft selection and a current well-known name player to come in return.

Really, you need to compare what the Kings actually need, to maintaining the roster they already have in place.

Dean Lombardi impresses, and shows the utmost confidence as Kings’ General Manager if he sits idle through April 3rd’s NHL trade-deadline.

You don’t move Bernier. And I don’t think Lombardi does.

Value Time

Hot Commodity: Bernier’s name is nothing new to the NHL trade-market, in fact, he’s been one of the most sought-after names in the league for more than a calendar year. It’s no secret he’s been targeted by a number of NHL clubs in need of a goaltender, but he even voiced his request to be traded from Los Angeles – asking to be dealt before last season’s trade-deadline, right after Jonathan Quick signed his 10-year contract extension.

It’s difficult to not side with Jonathan Bernier and his frustrations. The 24 year-old is good enough to be a starting goaltender for a rather large chunk of NHL teams, yet he’s been belittled to the shadow of Jonathan Quick, with little room, or opportunity to live up to the high acclaims he’s been developed with.

After all, he was the #11 overall selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

What may be more impressive than Bernier’s extremely high draft position, is how professional he’s been during the lack of playing time he’s received in, well, not be repetitive, his professional career.

You can push his complaints with AHL demotion and skirmishes with the Kings’ front office in 2007 and 2008 to the side. The kid was 18.

Side to side

Quick-Kick: It’s so vital, and not just to the Kings, but Jonathan Quick as well, that Jonathan Bernier stay with the Kings throughout the postseason for any chance to see this team repeat as a Stanley Cup champions.

He won’t only be needed to fill in for a few of the Kings’ remaining regular season contests, but could surely be used healthily come the postseason.

Jonathan Quick’s human, folks. And a lot of people have realized that this season.

Jonathan Bernier‘s stellar stand-in performances this season have allowed fans to comfortably stay at ease when Quick isn’t called upon by Darryl Sutter.

If many are confronted with a Jonathan Quick-less situation at this time last year, well, they’d be waiving a flag colored white.

There’s no issues with the goaltending right now. In fact, it’s so good, it might be a problem – but a very, very good one to have. Handling two talented goalies, especially a backup that has the skill to start for a large handful of other NHL teams, is a huge card dealt to the head coach.

Darryl Sutter needs to handle this the right way. And so far, he’s done a pretty damn good job.

Hands-on

Final sip

Sticking with Quick: Last season, Jonathan Quick played in a total of 102 NHL contests – from preseason in late September 2011 to the Stanley Cup Finals in the middle of June 2012. He then underwent back surgery over the summer.

His rehabilitation process then hit a point of uncertainty as the NHL did the same, as the labor strike held the 2012-2013 season start off until January 19th, making for an extremely unique and compact regular season schedule.

This consisted of a number of back-to-back contests for the Kings, and a travel schedule that’s a bit harsher than normal. And when you’re an NHL player in Los Angeles, travel is always difficult under a normal schedule.

And for Jonathan Quick, that’s no ideal situation considering last year’s work load and the construction done on the body over the summer.

To put it simply, the Kings would be in big trouble if without Jonathan Bernier this season. And for the first time, I think many faces are realizing the potential and skill the 24 year-old native out of Laval, Quebec holds.

In Bernier’s eight starts this season, he’s 7-0, with one indecision after being pulled early from his start against the St. Louis Blues on March 5th. Jonathan Quick relieved Bernier early in the second period after he gave up three goals on eight shots.

In his two relief appearances of Jonathan Quick this season, Bernier has lost both times. Then again, when you’re put in relief of a starting goaltender, in what is most likely to be a losing situation, your hopes can’t be too high.

The kid has a 7-2-0 record, chiming in with a sexy .923 SV% and a 1.94 GAA in ten games played.

Berning Up

Bottom Line: You keep Jonathan Bernier, because the Kings don’t need outside assets as much as they need a dependable backup goaltender. Having two options in the crease is a gift, appreciate it while it’s here.

And if you think this season’s shortened 48-game schedule has been crazy, remind yourselves of what NHL playoff schedules behold.

It’s a f*cking haul, and Jonathan Quick isn’t the Ox he was last season. The Kings don’t need another first-round draft pick and another respected name. They’re fine.

What they need is stability in the crease. That’s what does it.

We can re-start Bernier trade-talks during the summer time. Capiche?

Burn, baby, Bern

Twin-City life: The Kings are in Minnesota Saturday night for the third game of their current five-game road swing. The Kings have won both contests on their recent trip, and have scored nine goals in their previous two games, after being shutout the two games prior.

This is the first of three games against the Minnesota Wild this season, who sit two points and one position ahead of the Kings in the Western Conference.

Jonathan Bernier is back with the team after taking a leave of absence for a death in his family. However, expect Darryl Sutter to give Jonathan Quick the call in Minnesota, he deserves the continuity in play.

The Kings are in Dallas for a matinee on Sunday. Chances are you’ll see Jonathan Bernier back in crease against the Dallas Stars.

And chances are, he’ll be around for another postseason ride. And get a taste of it, too.

Puck drops against the Minnesota Wild Saturday night at 5:00PM PST from the XCel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Get that car dial tuned to KTLK AM-1150 for that cruise home from work.

Episode 185 KingsCast TV: LA Kings visit the White House – HERE
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They’re seeing red again.

For the Kings, the goals have returned in bulk. A little toast, if you will, to the doubting folk.

Up until the 4:21 minute mark of the second period in Tuesday’s contest at the United Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois, the Kings lugged through a painful 150:35 minute stretch without scoring a goal, amassing a span of seven consecutive scoreless periods of play.

*NEW KingsCastTV: Episode 185 – LA Kings visit the White House

Until then, the Kings’ last tally was still colored purple.

They notched five goals Tuesday night in the Windy City, stuttering any doubts the league’s audience had developed regarding this roster, and shocking the Chicago Blackhawks – the NHL‘s best hockey club, by way of a heart-felt 5-4 victory.

If there was any tension built within the Kings’ locker room after their two consecutive shutout losses to the Dallas Stars Thursday night and Vancouver Canucks Saturday afternoon, both games of which at Staples Center, the Kings surely took those frustrations out in stretching out the twine in the goal cages used at Chicago’s United Center.

10 different players recorded a point, that spells a cool-headed, synchronized roster. The Kings’ previous scoring streak had nothing to do with anything but unfortunate happenings of the Kings running into a pair of hot goaltenders.

Sometimes, just sometimes, you find yourself when in unfamiliar, rather challenging confines.

Like hitting cheese in Chicago, on consecutive lampers.

High and Tidy

Take it back

And put some more cheese on it.

Sharp Cheddar

Christ, Strollsy.

How crispy.

Missouri’n

Going Red on the Blues: The Kings will see the St. Louis Blues Thursday night in the second contest of their current five-game road swing, a team the Kings are accustomed to scoring on.

The Kings are 2-0 against St. Louis this season, winning 4-1 in Missouri on February 11th, and 6-4 in California on March 5th. That’s 10 combined goals on the Blues in two contests, a trend the Kings would like to continue to build on following their offensive ambush in Chicago.

These two teams currently sit next to each other in the Western Conference standings, just two points apart. The Blues (36 pts) hold the Conference’s seventh seed, while the Kings (38 pts) sit a slot higher at sixth overall.

They’ll have to do a lot more work on the road in the coming week, where the winning ways must be continued, with the Kings holding only a small four-point cushion from being out of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Before Monday night’s win in Chicago, the Kings were 0-3 away from Staples Center during the month of March.

Opposing buildings will host the next four Kings’ contests, as well as nine of the Kings’ final 16 regular season games in this shortened 48-game campaign.

In the Kings’ two games against the St. Louis Blues this season, Jonathan Bernier has been the starting goaltender both times, winning one decisively, and being pulled early by Darryl Sutter after surrendering three goals to St. Louis on eight shots.

Bernier started against the Blues on February 11th, making 21 saves in a 4-1 Kings victory, which also happened to be his first start of the season. He lasted barely over one period against the Blues on March 5th, with Jonathan Quick replacing Bernier in a game that would see the Kings come back and win after staring at a 4-1 deficit.

This will be Jonathan Quick‘s fourth consecutive start. He deserves the continuity on play regardless of Jonathan Bernier‘s absence.

Back to Quick

Another 30: The NHL schedule has officially reached the final month of it’s slate, with the Kings, and the rest of the league, expected to play their final contests on April 27th. The Kings will host the San Jose Sharks on that final night of league-play.

In this final month of play, the Kings have 16 games left. Nine of those games will be on the road, and the other seven at Staples Center. All remaining games, such as the entire season, will be against Western Conference opponents.

A Conference that sees a slim eight-point margin separate the 13th-place Phoenix Coyotes and 5th-place Detroit Red Wings.

It’s close.

Playoff-style hockey, especially because of the season’s unique circumstances, should be in full throttle in about two weeks.

Two weeks ahead of time. But hey.

Catch them. Catch ‘em when you’re short

And don’t look back

Half-Hearted

Off the Ice: The Kings’ front office, which has been showing the corporate signs of raking in an asset’s success, while subtly pulling away from their loyal supporters, has taken another step this week.

The downfall was first seen when the well-known and respected roster print cards were no longer given away at the turnstiles at every home game, starting last season.

Now they’re holding back the folks who own half-season ticket packages from privileged rights to postseason ticket stubs.

#HalfDoesn’tMeanEmpty

Getting There: The postseason is statistically no guarantee right now, but you mine as well guarantee it — in a realistic sense.

If the Kings have developed one thing other than a Stanley Cup Championship, it’s a roster that’s too good — including it’s coach, to miss out on postseason play. Even so, with injuries to major players.

The Kings are still without defensemen Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene.

But who’s stressing

Meet me at Applebee’s, fools

Puck drops against the St. Louis Blues 5:00PM PST Thursday night at Scottrade Center in St. Louis MO.

Make sure to have the car’s radio dial tuned to KTLK 1150 AM on that cruise home from work.

Episode 185 KingsCast TV: LA Kings visit the White House – HERE
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For the past decade, the Kings’ image on the ice has retained a one-of-a-kind look.

Or, well, unique.

Athletically speaking, we’ve seen this team’s image hit some pretty miserable low points. Aesthetically speaking, however, it’s all been done in a uniform template that has been a truly exclusive set to the NHL‘s league-wide closet.

Tonight, the Kings will wear their purple and black crown uniforms for the final time at Staples Center against the Phoenix Coyotes. It’s a bittersweet farewell to a wardrobe set that, even though having a rather loud, boisterous look, is one that symbolizes simpler times with this franchise.

The Kings donned their black and purple crown uniforms as their primary jerseys for eight seasons, beginning in the 2002-2003 campaign and ending after the 2010-2011 season.

The transition to the Kings’ current black/white/silver scheme started in November 2008, when the Kings introduced their current primary home uniform as an alternate sweater.

From then on, the Kings’ marketing department centered heavily on the new colors and logo, rooting the slow, rather awkward death of the purple and black.

Old style

The new sends it off in style

Last Hurrah: Respect was paid to a dying piece of Kings history Monday night, in a 4-0 rout in what was a monstrously huge Pacific Division date with the Phoenix Coyotes. Many familiar faces were sporting the Kings’ crown for one of their final times, and a couple of new faces debuted play in the black/purple template – just as it’s going out of style.

Keaton Ellerby, who the Kings acquired on February 9th from the Florida Panthers, sported purple and black for the first time as a King this past week.

The newest addition to the roster, Tyler Toffoli, who was called up from the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs on March 10th, not only wore purple and black for the first time, but also scored his first-career NHL goal Monday night at Staples Center in the uniform.

Looking sharp, eh?

Crowning Toffoli

Top-shelf; where Momma keeps the cookies.

Hemline Timeline

Memory Lane: In the ten years the Kings have worn their black and purple crown uniforms, there have been many special moments engraved into the organization’s history books.

White Out: The white version of the Kings’ crown uniform was put to rest after the 2010-2011 season, making it’s final appearance on April 23rd, 2011 against the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at HP Pavilion.

The Kings would extend that series to six games, winning their final contest in the white crowns in a 3-1 victory that would see rookie Kyle Clifford bury the eventual game-winning goal.

Game 6 would see the San Jose Sharks win the series 4-2, with an overtime goal off the stick of Joe Thornton, putting the white and purples to rest for good.

Final Presentation

Rookie Wear 4/23/11

A Kopitar Hat-Trick 3/11/11

And a Kopitar Trick 1/30/10

A Little Extra Time 12/4/10

Brown Cooke-ing 2006

Dustin Brown hitting Children

Kopitar’s First 10/6/06

A Devilish Touch 2006

And, of course, Jeremy Roenick

We’ll get back to actual analysis once the Kings are back to black.

Tonight, it’s about the purple, and it’s about the crown.

It’s about embracing the past decade, as the franchise continues to evolve.

Scream and shout

Mope and pout

Or just look like this

That’s how Alec Martinez’s game looks right now

Just know, you can always look back at it

One final night in the purple/black crown hemlines.

Puck drops against the Phoenix Coyotes tonight at Staples Center at 7:30PM PST.

Episode 183 KingsCast TV: Jarome Iginla will not be an L.A. King – HERE
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They’re not trying to catch up – they’re trying to stay ahead.

That’s the good thing here for the Kings.

Amidst their longest streak of consecutive games against Pacific Division opponents this season, which has called for six inter-division games in nine days, the Kings are maintaining themselves with a 1-2-0 record, while hoping to feed off of the juice that saw them annihilate the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 routing Saturday night at Staples Center.

The upcoming slate calls for two straight in downtown Los Angeles against the Phoenix Coyotes.

During the Kings’ current Pacific Division stretch, they’ve lost two contests on the road; one to Phoenix 5-2 Tuesday night, and another to San Jose 4-3 on Thursday.

Saturday night’s return to Staples Center was a much different story, a game the Kings needed to win in order to maintain their slim lead that finds them at second place in the Pacific Division and sixth overall in the Western Conference.

They did so with five goals, with twelve players on the roster recording at least one point. And from another impressive performance between the pipes from Jonathan Bernier.

The upcoming two-game stand with the Phoenix Coyotes poses to be worth an eight-point spread in the standings. That feeds more importance into the outcome of this season than a bottle of water does for you on a summer’s day in Arizona.

Tough schedule = A tough go

Back-to-back

Side to side: Consecutive dates against an opponent is a rare thing in the modern-day NHL, but not so this season. The Kings will play their third round of back-to-back contests with an opponent for the third time in ten days.

The Kings swept the Calgary Flames in two games last week at Staples Center, and they split their two contests with the San Jose Sharks – each team winning in their home building. The Kings stay in their home confines now hosting the Phoenix Coyotes for two in a row on home ice.

And home has been sweet for the Kings, who hold a 10-2-1 record at Staples Center this season.

Both previous dates against the Phoenix Coyotes have taken place at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona this season. The Kings won the first meeting 4-2 on January 26th, their first win of the season. Last Tuesday, the Kings played arguably their ugliest game of the season, falling 5-2 on the same ice sheet they clinched the Western Conference‘s Clarence Campbell trophy on back in June.

Coming into Monday night’s contest, the Kings (32) sit two points ahead of Phoenix (30) in the standings. There is some unseen room for movement, however, as the Kings have one game in-hand on Phoenix, playing 27 games so far this season compared to the Coyotes’ 28.

So when you talk desperate, hungry, and quite frankly – scary, you’re looking at the Phoenix Coyotes and their upcoming two-game visit.

With eight points on the line, and ten if you include the games-played difference, this is must-win territory for both clubs, and it’s against quite possibly the hungrier team in the matchup.

There’s some backdrop here.

Pass the Salt

Pacemaker

Give me the Keys: When it comes to good results, there have been a few key aspects to the Kings’ game this season. Heading into Monday and Tuesday, the Kings already have one of them in their hands – home ice, where the Kings hold a 10-2-1 record this season.

It truly starts with scoring first, and the Kings are 10-1-1 this season when issuing red-light service first in games this season. In their current three-game stretch against Pacific Division opponents, the Kings have lost when surrendering the first tally of the contest, and won when striking first.

There’s no Cliff-hanger when goals come early.

Clifford, Clifford, Clifford.

3 minutes in

Not so Quick

Crease conundrum: It may come as a shock to feel comfortable when Jonathan Quick doesn’t get the call for the Kings these days, but Jonathan Bernier has certainly earned the trust of both head coach Darryl Sutter and the Kings’ roster.

And maybe some possible trade-deadline suitors. But you don’t dare go there right now.

When getting the starting nod, Jonathan Bernier has been spectacular with an undefeated 7-0-0 record, holding opponents to two goals or less in six of his seven starts.

He’s lost twice, but both of those decisions came upon relief of Jonathan Quick.

There is no goalie issue in Los Angeles, in fact, right now, it’s almost as good as it gets.

If anything, Jonathan Bernier is simply living up to the expectations he was drafted with, and long-awaited to show at the NHL level. He’s helping the Kings win, and he’s allowing Jonathan Quick to slowly ease back into form.

If you happened to forget, Quick played in a total of 102 games last season, and underwent back surgery over the summer.

Quick shouldn’t be expected to be the iron-man he was last season, and having those same expectations would be silly. The Kings mine as well use Bernier to their fullest advantage while he’s here.

That doesn’t just give the Kings a winning shot, as we’ve seen, but it opens up the long-awaited trade market Bernier is expected to hit sometime in the near future.

Call it a win-win.

Expect Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier to get one start apiece in Monday and Tuesday’s two-game set with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Hell, maybe we’ll even see former Kings netminder Jason LaBarbera.

Wouldn’t that be nice

That would be like time-travel to the bad days.

Which is now on Clearance

They put it so lightly sometimes

Fashion Show: The Kings will be officially putting their purple and black ‘Los Angeles’ hemline crown jerseys to rest this week, planning to don the nearly defunct uniform template that has graced this organization since 1999 for the final time.

They will be wearing these sweaters for both contests against the Phoenix Coyotes this week.

Many associated with the team symbolize these uniforms with some of the darkest ages this franchise has seen in recent history.

So why not put them to rest, while the team continues to climb.

Puck drops against the Phoenix Coyotes not just Monday, but Tuesday night as well. Both contests are scheduled to start at 7:30PM PST at Staples Center.

Episode 183 KingsCast TV: Jarome Iginla will not be an L.A. King – HERE
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Sometimes talent is discovered through the misfortune of others.

Injuries to Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell opened the door for Jake Muzzin to make a return to the NHL in a Kings uniform.

And also through the decisions of others, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, who drafted Muzzin 141st overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and let him walk.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Jarome Iginla will not be an LA King

This is the Woodstock, Ontario native’s second stint in the NHL, and it looks to be a permanent one.

Much like the Kings’ 5-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale, Arizona Tuesday evening at Jobing.com Arena, Jake Muzzin faltered, albeit in a season that has brought many positive accomplishments to both the Kings and Muzzin’s ferocious rookie NHL season.

The kid doubled his penalty-minute total in a single evening on Arizona ice, racking up six minutes in the penalty box, matching his total in his previous 21 games played in a Kings uniform this season.

The Kings’ unfortunate health with their blue-line corps can’t afford such an absence during a game, especially with Jake Muzzin, who has blossomed into an everyday dependable asset in the Kings’ defensive scheme.

If six minutes in the penalty box Tuesday night is the most glaring rookie mistake Muzzin has made this season; because, quite frankly, it is, then the kid has to have some upside.

If you’ve watched the Kings’ new defensive young-blood this season, you’ll be able to tell he’s playing right up to par with Vyacheslav Voynov and Drew Doughty. Muzzin, who’s been Doughty’s defensive partner as of late, has taken offensive control of their pairing, which almost single-handedly justifies Doughty’s low point-total this season.

You want to talk numbers? Muzzin’s stat-line is rising on the consistent.

Drew Doughty has been in position this season. And I think he’s been wonderful. With Jake Muzzin on his side, he’s backed off to play a more conservative game.

Send it away now.

Post Service

Can you hear it?

Seeing

Red

Looking right. It’s looking Right.

On Both Ends: After Matt Greene went down with an injury in the Kings’ season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, Jake Muzzin got the call for promotion from the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs.

During the NHL lockout, Muzzin played in 29 games for the Monarchs, potting two goals and handing over nine assists for 11 points.

In seven-less games at the NHL-level this season (22) with the Kings, Muzzin has matched his AHL point-mark, racking up five goals and six assists in a Los Angeles uniform. If that’s not a successful transition for a young player, it’s impossible to say what is.

He’s second among Kings defensemen in points, only behind Vyacheslav Voynov and his 18.

It’s all been positive, because he’s tied for the best plus-minus rating on the entire roster, currently at a +11 mark, toe to toe with Justin Williams.

And it’s been on net; Muzzin has 35 shots in 22 contests, ninth-best on the roster and third among Kings’ defensemen. He’s got a great shot coming off his left-handed stick. It’s accurate, it’s a quick-release, and it’s rarely forced. It creates opportunity, and as the numbers show, success.

You know what they say about putting the puck on net.

The kid has shown us he can hit the post from the point. Hit the post and coast, baby.

Iron Man

Don’t doubt Doughty

Muzzin’s Effect: There’s been a healthy amount of gripe towards Drew Doughty and his offensive output this season. Most of it centers on his goal-total this season, which stands at zero through 25 games. However, Doughty’s racked up 10 assists.

With the bad comes the good. Doughty has seen a sharp decline in his scoring, but he’s shown a much more conservative stay-at-home game. This may not be his most favorable style, but it’s the one he’s playing now.

Without a doubt, this is a better Drew Doughty than we saw early in the 2011-2012 campaign, when Doughty often forced his offensive game after signing his major contract extension, which would find him out of position defensively at an alarming rate.

Drew Doughty will score, it’s a non-issue. Right now, he’s playing a much more mature role. If it means less highlight shows and appearances on the stat-sheet, then so be it.

The Kings are doing just fine. And Drew Doughty has zero goals.

Meanwhile, his rookie line-mate is on a tear.

You’re a bit greedy if you want anything more.

Assist me with this?

What a golden feed that was. Muzzin’s crisp and Stolly snips.

Snacking at MacDonald’s

Shark sighting

San Jose: The Kings will be at HP Pavilion for the first time since the final game of last year’s regular season, in which the Kings lost to the San Jose Sharks for the second consecutive contest. Those two losses to the Sharks only paved fate’s way – forcing the Kings to head into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Western Conference‘s 8th seed.

Remember how that turned out?

By the way, Ryan Clowe has zero goals, a weak eight assists, a liable minus-eight rating, and a hot-head total of 72 penalty minutes – in 23 games.

He might just be best used when on the bench.

Clowestick

The Kings (30) sit two points ahead of the Sharks (28) with both teams playing their 26th contests of the season tomorrow.

This will be the first of four matchups during this shortened campaign between the two Pacific Division rivals.

Puck drops Thursday night at HP Pavilion in San Jose, California at 7:30PM PST

Episode 183 KingsCast TV: Jarome Iginla will not be an L.A. King – HERE
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Look back at it.

Call the fire department, this one’s out of control.

Analogies, analogies. Sometimes they’re shitty.

Led by Jeff Carter‘s recent string of monstrous offensive output, the Kings have buried an astounding eleven combined goals in their previous two contests, this on 45 shots – that’s nearly a 25% success rate. That’s filthy.

*NEW KingsCast TV – Episode 182: Jeff Carter is a Beast

The Kings aren’t only scoring at all times, but at the right times. They tallied eight third-period goals in a 48-hour span on Monday and Tuesday evening at Staples Center, beating the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues in convincing fashion.

In both contests, the Kings have forced opposing goaltenders to be pulled from their own crease, chasing away Nashville’s Pekka Rinne and St. Louis’ Jaroslav Halak.

Things were over Monday night before Nashville could weather the Kings’ third-period outburst, and the Kings executed again Tuesday night, when things were supposed to be over, scoring five unanswered goals to overcome a 4-1 deficit.

Both game-winning goals came off the stick of Jeff Carter, who now has 15 goals for the season – more than double of the Kings’ second-leading scorer, Anze Kopitar, who has seven.

They’ve won nine of eleven contests.

Call ‘em hot-headed.

Hats off

Giveaway back

How ironic: The Kings, who have been putting on a slew of giveaway promotions for fans this season, went with the traditional ballcap handout to those in attendance Monday night. When Jeff Carter scored his third goal of the game that night, clinching a ‘natural hat-trick’, many of those gifted hats were given back – tossed to the ice in celebration of Carter’s accomplishment.

The same thing happened with the Kings in October of 2005 against the Colorado Avalanche, when the late Pavol Demitra recorded his own hat-trick on a hat-giveaway night at Staples Center. The ice, again, littered with free hats.

Which is a good thing, cause they’re pretty f*cking brutal looking, and everything.

Capping it off

 Carter and Co.

Deal-Breaker: When Dean Lombardi acquired Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 23, 2011, it was a bold move for a top-six forward the Kings beleaguered offense was in dire need of.

This was a trade-deadline deal, a plea for a player that could spark some life into the Kings’ offensive scheme, and helping this team to take a serious stab at a playoff run. Which, they did – and more. Jeff Carter chimed in magnificently during the Kings’ 20-game postseason stretch, potting eight goals and five assists for an attractive 13 points.

Jeff Carter came to Los Angeles along with the carry-over of his lengthy contract, an 11-year deal signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, which was then sent with Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and just under 12 months ago – placed into the hands of the Kings’ front office.

Carter is under contract until the end of the 2021-2022 season, a lengthy deal has rarely look so good. With the carryover of his contract, has come the carryover of his outstanding production.

He leads the roster in goals with 15 to his credit, and is second in points with 17, only behind Anze Kopitar‘s 20. If his shots aren’t hitting the back of the net, they’re creating opportunity – Jeff Carter leads the team with 64 shots on goal.

To say he hasn’t been clutch would be a farce – because he’s been the roster’s lifeline in crucial moments, his six game-winning goals show that.

Muzz Buzz

Hey, Rookie: Another problem may arise when Willie Mitchell and/or Matt Greene return to the Kings’ blue-line. That’s what to do with Jake Muzzin. Back to the AHL and a return to the Manchester Monarchs seems to be past this player’s ways now.

Alec Martinez is finally back, sending Davis Drewiske back to natural and necessary confines.

Chances are you’ll see Jake Muzzin in a Kings uniform throughout the remainder of the season, and for how he’s looking now, the beginning of next year’s campaign as well. He’s been more than reliable in his second NHL stint, doubling down for three goals and four assists through the Kings’ first 18 games this season.

Muzzin is third on the Kings’ defense in points (7) and shots (27). He’s also got the second best +/- rating with a +6, only behind Vyacheslav Voynov‘s stalwart +10 mark.

Jonathan Squared

Playing time?: Head coach Darryl Sutter pulled a shocker Tuesday night, penciling in Jonathan Bernier to start for the second consecutive game. It may be hard to remember the last time Jonathan Quick sat two consecutive contests, because in Bernier’s four-plus seasons with the Kings, he had never once started in net in two straight games.

This time around, coming off an 18-save performance in a deciding 5-1 win over the Nashville Predators Monday night, Jonathan Bernier got the call again in a back-to-back situation with a Pacific Division matchup with the Dallas Stars looming on Thursday.

Darryl Sutter‘s decision to play Bernier was bold, nevermind whether it was right or wrong. He instituted a feel of confidence in Bernier, who has struggled with an opportunity to find a consistent, dependable starting role in the NHL.

Jonathan Bernier allowed three goals on eight St. Louis Blues shots, forcing Darryl Sutter to react on his decision, pulling Bernier from the game less than two minutes into the second period. This decision didn’t spark immediate reaction from the roster, but it proved to be part of the Kings’ miraculous come-from-behind victory.

Jonathan Quick faced just six shots in his 39 minutes of relief of Bernier, stopping all but one.

When the players in front of you bury five unanswered goals, chances are you’re in good hands. A la the Kings Tuesday night.

Stars in the Making

The Kings found decent success when facing the Dallas Stars last season, going 3-1-2 against their Pacific Division foe. The most eye-opening part of last year’s match-ups against Dallas, however, may be the success the three prominent Kings’ rookies had in the state of Texas last season.

Vyachaslav Voynov, Dwight King, and Jordan Nolan all recorded their first-career NHL goals against the Dallas Stars last season.

Starring Voynov

Starring King

Starring Nolan

Look now: The Kings, who have spent the majority of the season in the basement of the Pacific Division and out of playoff seeding in the Western Conference, now sit pretty. With their 12-7-2 record, which atones for 26 points, the Kings hold the second position in the Pacific Division, only behind the Anaheim Ducks and their 35 points with a 16-3-3 record.

The Kings sit at 4th-place in the Western Conference. Call it sexy.

It’s a meeting with the Dallas Stars Thursday night in Downtown Los Angeles. Dallas, with 24 points, is just one regulation win from matching the Kings’ mark, yet they sit dead-last (5th) in the Pacific Division. and are just barely maintaining playoff seeding, holding the Western Conference‘s eight seed.

If you don’t call this meeting a vital one, you’re out of this league. The Kings can either maintain their push to the top, or topple in the Pacific Division in their first meeting of four this season with the Dallas Stars.

Welcome to LA, Jaromir Jagr.

Puck drops against the Dallas Stars at 7:30PM PST Thursday night at Staples Center.

Episode 182 KingsCast TV: Jeff Carter is a Beast – HERE
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They’re climbing the Western Conference standings, and are now traveling North up the Pacific’s coast. The Kings’ upcoming quick two-game road swing isn’t the only regional topic this club is running with.

Anze Kopitar fascinates the National Television audience these days. Embrace it, NBC.

You may think this is something new. Next stop is British Columbia.

*NEW KingsCastTV – Simon Gagne traded to Philadelphia Flyers

The Kings stunned the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday evening in their 2-1 victory at Staples Center with two goals in the final ten minutes of the contest to win their fifth straight game. They’ve totaled seven wins in their last eight games.

It was a dramatic defeat of the team from Hockeytown the ‘Motor City’.

Consider the Kings rolling.

Don’t sleep on it

Unless you’ve gone sick from seeing it.

Maybe so

The NBC Sports Network televised the Kings’ meeting with the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night as part of their “Rivalry Night” series. At first, labeling this meeting as so seems odd. But then you figure, they were probably:

Considering This

April 18, 2001. Like noted earlier: Don’t sleep on it.

Can’t stop, don’t stop

Michigan Rush: The Kings’ current run of seven wins in eight contests began after their loss in their first meeting against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on February 10th. When you consider the effects a loss with just :04.5 seconds left in regulation, many, including myself, would see it as a blow to the gut carrying a negative response to linger with the heartbreak.

The Kings, however, turned a momentary disaster into yet another building block.

They’re showing signs of chemistry they consistently posed en rout to their Stanley Cup Championship last season. This beautiful aftermath played out to fuel a suddenly reborn roster, when that heart-wrenching loss to Detroit had all intents of burying this club early.

Rearview mirror: The Kings are climbing the standings. They’ve locked up 14 points in their previous eight contests, which has been a major boost to their current overall total of 22 points. They’ve found their way out of the basement, and have climbed back into a playoff position.

With their 10-6-2 record, the Kings now sit at 2nd-place in the Pacific Division, and at 7th-place in the Western Conference.

It’s been no fluke either. All four offensive lines have been working in full-throttle, and the Kings’ suddenly-young and inexperienced defensive scheme has been absolutely delightful considering the injuries that hit Willie Mitchell, Matt Greene, and Alec Martinez.

Signs are pointing at an imminent return for Alec Martinez. Take a break, Davis Drewiske.

Not to mention, the Kings’ goaltending tandem may finally have a comfortably dependable back-up option. For the meantime, at least.

Bern, baby burn

About Time: The Kings drafted Jonathan Bernier in the 1st Round as the 11th overall selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. It is rare for such an early draft pick as a goaltender – a mightily highly touted one at that, to go so long without tagging himself as an every-day starter in the NHL.

It’s also rare to have a goaltender as good as Jonathan Quick.

But when you’re facing such a unique, heavily condensed schedule, especially after a season that saw Jonathan Quick log 89 games through the middle of June, you’re going to need to lean on your back-up goaltender. It’s smarter than it is safe.

Jonathan Bernier has started four games for the Kings this season, holding a stellar 4-0-0 record when called on by head coach Darryl Sutter. In Bernier’s one other appearance, which was in relief of Jonathan Quick on February 2nd against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center, Bernier was credited with the Kings’ loss.

That, however, was Bernier’s first live NHL action since March 31st of 2011.

Rising value: Jonathan Bernier‘s solid play is important to this club in more ways than one. I’m not talking about just wins. Bernier has the youth and resume to attract a heavy-list of NHL teams come the trade-deadline, and the Kings know that.

They also know they have a very solid netminder to give Jonathan Quick a breather.

Utilize Bernier’s dependability and promise in the crease, and do so while advertising his high trade-value to the other 29 NHL teams.

Darryl Sutter knows the tools he’s working with.

Dean Lombardi also knows what he’s doing.

The Kings, well, you can find them in British Columbia Saturday night.

A Stoll through Vancouver

 Remember Me?

Just passing by

Puck drops at Rogers Arena against the Vancouver Canucks at 7:00PM PST Saturday night.

Episode 181 KingsCast TV: Simon Gagne traded to Philadelphia – HERE
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Four straight, and it hasn’t been prettier.

The Kings knocked off the Anaheim Ducks Monday night in utterly convincing fashion at Staples Center, handing their cross-town rival and Pacific Division leader their first loss in seven contests. It came in a 5-2 rout with three unanswered third-period markers.

Highlighted by Dustin Brown going bar-down.

The sexiest goal seen this season, bar none.

Iron Dance

crisp•y ['krIspI]

adj. crisp·i·er, crisp·i·est

1: 17:53 LAK Dustin Brown (6) Snap Shot – Assists: A. Kopitar (8) & J. Williams (7)
2: Firm but easily broken or crumbled; crisp.

You didn’t know?

Corner treatment: This isn’t the first time Dustin Brown has undressed an Anaheim goaltender high from the slot with a laser to the top-right corner. In fact, Brown’s beamer last night just about mocked his actions seen back in December of 2011.

Déjà vu

All aboard: Dustin Brown‘s tally last December against the Anaheim Ducks tied the contest late, which granted extra hockey that saw the Kings capitalize on the Captain’s efforts to win the game in a shootout.

Brown’s goal Monday night was just as important, but even prettier, once again tieing the score at two, this time paving way to Vyacheslav Voynov‘s goal, all together completely deflating Anaheim’s roster.

As for Dustin Brown‘s right-hand man? Well, he’s left-handed, and he’s Anze Kopitar. In Brown’s two similar goals shown above, the primary assist has come off the stick of none other than Kopitar himself. Kopitar dabbled in last night’s action, accounting for three assists – including Vyacheslav Voynov‘s game winner, and Dustin Brown‘s bar-down equalizer.

If you’re analyzing past the red-light, you’ll notice Dustin Brown‘s complete game looks to be coming back into form. This atones for his play without the puck – especially in the physicality department.

In the previous four contests, Brown has laid 21 hits on opposing players. He’s most dangerous when inducing open-ice contact, and he seemed to finally catch his timing last Tuesday in Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers – laying five hits, labeling the middle of the ice a danger-zone for opposition.

He’s also planted nine shots on opposing goaltenders in the Kings’ last four games. That might have something to do with his current three-game goal streak.

The only thing louder than Dustin Brown‘s play of late, was the iron the Kings’ Captain struck last night.

Call it welding, fools

Not so..

Got them Slippers on

After Tuesday’s slew of contests, the Kings (9-6-2) sit at 10th-place in the Western Conference with 20 points. However, they’re just one point out of housing themselves in a postseason-eligible position. This is what sets the storyline for Wednesday night’s date with the Detroit Red Wings at Staples Center.

The Red Wings (9-7-3), who the Kings have two game in-hand of, hold the Western Conference‘s final playoff berth right now with 21 points. The Kings already have the long-term advantage on Detroit with four possible point in their favor, but Wednesday night will put the club’s will to the test.

The Kings skated with the Detroit Red Wings in Michigan at Joe Louis Arena on Feburary 10th, losing 3-2 via a Jonathan Ericsson goal with just :04.5 seconds left in regulation.

The Kings have given away another contest in the final seconds this season, that to the Edmonton Oilers on January 24th. In the Kings’ second meeting with Edmonton, they returned the favor.

How about another round of Déjà vu?

It’ll call for a Frenzy

Puck drops 7:30PM PST Wednesday night at Staples Center against the Detroit Red Wings.

Episode 180 KingsCast TV: LA Kings Battle in Alberta – HERE
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Rink-board advertising markets honestly every so often.

Solid play earned Trevor Lewis a promotion Saturday afternoon, penciled in to play alongside Mike Richards and Jeff Carter on the Kings’ second line by Head Coach Darryl Sutter.

This move only continued the oft-quiet forward’s mini scoring outburst.

Lewis has erupted to tally two goals and two assists in the Kings’ previous three contests. His recent numbers have been anything but stat-fillers, they’ve been certified game-changers.

Against the Edmonton Oilers this past Tuesday, Trevor Lewis notched two assists, including a beautifully placed helper to feed Jeff Carter‘s game-winning tally with just 46.9 seconds left in regulation. The following night against the Calgary Flames, Lewis struck gold yet again – this time scoring the Kings’ game-winning goal himself.

And as many witnessed in downtown Los Angeles Saturday afternoon, Trevor Lewis continued his tear, killing any momentum the Colorado Avalanche may have been in the midst of mustering with a shorthanded marker to all but seal the deal in the Kings’ victorious return to Staples Center.

Lewis’ PK-tally is the Kings’ one and only shorthanded goal so far this season.

Two (Two) Short

When ugly’s pretty

Red-Light Lewy: Lewis’ tally early in the second period on Saturday was a terribly weak goal if you’re Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov or Colorado defenseman Tyson Barrie. Both players treated Lewis’ rush like their man-advantage situation had some sort of heed into the situation until point’s end.

As the Kings showed the league last spring, it’s a kiss of death to sleep on the penalty kill. Lewis put the nails in Colorado’s coffin, who the Kings made short work of Saturday.

He kept it simple, too, which is how he functions as an NHL player. There’s nothing fancy about Trevor Lewis‘ game. He’s got below-average hands, depends on open lanes and positioning rather than skill-fed moves, and is an absolute magnet on the forecheck – a magnet when it comes to shadowing and pressuring opposing players who have the puck.

That’s your standard resume for a solid, dependable, third or fourth line forward.

And when that type of player is putting up numbers that catch glances, your situation can’t be all that bad.

Plus, it makes you not miss Brad Richardson even more than you didn’t miss him before.

Five-Tools

Trevor Lewis‘ four points through the previous three games have just been the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the 26 year-old’s recent play. The native of Salt Lake City, UT has been fulfilling just about every aspect of the game a forward can.

Lewis has a +6 rating in the last three contests. The Kings, as an entire team, have a +7 rating. Did you want to talk about positive impact?

Aside from that, he’s ripped off eight shots on goaltenders and laid seven hits on the opposition.

The Kings drafted Trevor Lewis in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft as the #17 overall selection. Since then, he’s played 197 games in a Kings uniform over the course of five NHL seasons. The production hasn’t always been there, but the dedication to him has.

Maybe we’re seeing the pursued result of the Kings’ strong commitment to this player. Maybe Trevor Lewis is a late-blossom player. If consistent dependability graces your name before you put up numbers, the attractive stats are only a bonus.

Been around the block

Climbing gear: With three straight wins and a 5-1-0 record in their previous six contests, the Kings continue to climb the Western Conference standings, now holding the group’s 10th spot with 18 points on hand.

The Kings are only one point behind the two clubs that own the 7th and 8th-place spots in the Western Conference. These teams are two Pacific Division foes, which have a current tally of 19 points – the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.

As for the 9th-seed? The Pacific Division trend continues. The Phoenix Coyotes, also at 19 points, are straddling the postseason cut-off mark in a heavily saturated race toward a playoff berth in this uniquely shortened campaign.

Monday night, the Kings will be playing the only Pacific Division club not on their direct radar in the standings, the Anaheim Ducks.  Anaheim stands at 2nd in the Western Conference, 2nd in the entire NHL, and are currently breaking away from the Kings and the rest of the Pacific Division with their 27 points – 12 of which are due to their current six-game win streak.

Wouldn’t that be a nice thing to bring to a halt.

Puck drops 7:30PM PST Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center.

Episode 180 KingsCast TV: LA Kings Battle in Alberta – HERE
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Wake up. Wake up, now. There’s something brewing here.

Maybe a skin smack or two from that crisp, unbearably cold Canadian air was needed to hit the faces of this club for a bit of a wake-up call.

The Kings play 13 of their next 16 contests at home.

The Kings return to Staples Center Saturday afternoon with a 7-6-2 record. They’re fresh off of two wins in Alberta, Canada, staving off the Edmonton Oilers in a late 2-1 thriller, and following up with a 3-1 win against the Calgary Flames.

*NEW KingsCastTV: “LA Kings Battle in Alberta”

Although the Kings now own a winning record for the first time this season, they still sit last (5th) in the Pacific Division. However, they’ve made some improvements regarding the entire Western Conference, now filling the 11th-seed with 16 points.

Ahead of the Kings are the Detroit Red Wings (17pts), who the Kings host Wednesday, and behind the Kings are the Colorado Avalanche (15pts), who the Kings host Saturday afternoon.

It’s already got a postseason-like tingle to it, no?

When it comes to home ice for the Kings, there’s never much comfort in the setting. The upcoming rush of home contests is just as vital as it is comforting for this team. And comfort, as we’ve seen in the past, doesn’t bode too well for this roster.

Honey I’m…

Home: The Kings have played just one home contest in the past 23 days, but are now slated to play at Staples Center thirteen times over the next four weeks. The Kings are 2-1-1 in Downtown Los Angeles so far this season.

This next string of games (16) will push the season to it’s 2/3 marker (31 games), which is a major point in the schedule for NHL teams, especially because of this year’s unique and shortened 48-game slate. The standings, because of the season’s strict inter-Conference schedule, will be extremely tight until the end – that’s if you’re still in contention.

The battle for playoff positioning will be heavily saturated, and the Kings must take full advantage of the plethora of home contests that graces their schedule for the next month. Of the Kings next thirteen home games, ten of them are against clubs that are currently ahead of the Kings in the Western Conference standings.

Six of those home games will be against Pacific Division opponents, including a back-to-back series against the Phoenix Coyotes. Of the Kings three road games over the next sixteen contests, two are also against Pacific Division opponents – the San Jose Sharks and the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Kings are playing more than half of their home contests over the course of the next 30 days. If they were to throw away a golden opportunity this year, it would be failing to climb the standings during this lengthy home-stretch.

Looking up

Top-six Who?: The Kings, much like during last year’s regular season, have been struggling mightily to score goals. Just a few days ago, the Kings were dead-last (30th) in the entire NHL in goals scored.

After sweeping Alberta with two straight victories, the Kings have improved to 25th in goals scored in the NHL. This, brought to you by the continuation of production from the Kings’ 3rd and 4th lines, as well as a couple of the club’s popular names starting to once again show signs of life.

Dustin Brown, who had been without a goal in eight games until notching the Kings’ first goal Wednesday in Calgary, has been uncomfortably quiet this season – both offensively, and physically. Brown has looked much better the previous two games, finding three shots on goal, and laying eight hits on opponents.

Lewy (and Co.) in the News

Digging deep: After Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Kings coach Darryl Sutter called out his forwards, namely those who had yet to score a goal this season – as the schedule surpassed the quarter-mark:

“What is more significant being at the quarter pole is the fact that we have guys with zero goals at the quarter pole. I don’t even think I’d be in the lineup if I had zero goals at the quarter pole.” – Darryl Sutter via LA Times

As a player, that’s your queue to respond – and bury the puck.

Trevor Lewis did just that, scoring the Kings’ game-winning goal Wednesday in Calgary, and assisting on the Kings’ winner in Edmonton the night prior. Lewis has three points in the past two games, his only points of the season.

Lewis’ other assist came off of Colin Fraser‘s goal in Edmonton. Fraser was playing for the first time Tuesday night after being a healthy scratch the previous four contests.

Hold on, Edmonton

Another quiet, yet popular name that has struggled this season is Mike Richards.

Hair long, Money long

Sleeping Star: One of the biggest concerns regarding the Kings’ slow start was the non-effect Mike Richards on the ice. Richards, unlike his linemate and good friend Jeff Carter, has been struggling to produce offensively the majority of the season.

Richards, much like Dustin Brown, has come to life recently. Mike Richards tallied the game-winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets last Friday, and followed with two goals on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Although it was clearly little too late when Richards notched his two goals Sunday, the situation and manner he scored them in was invigorating. For the first time this season, we saw Richards single-handedly take the game into his own hands, showing a passion and fire we haven’t seen from the veteran forward since last postseason.

Without a Dought-y

Ouch: Maybe the screen shot tells it all. The Kings are hurting defensively.

All hail Vyacheslav Voynov.

#13 Buries the Avalanche

Colorado Down: The Kings played the Colorado Avalanche in their second game of the campaign on January 22nd, falling 3-1 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Kyle Clifford scored the lone goal for the Kings. Colorado scored three goals in the third period to secure a victory.

The Avalanche will be in Los Angeles for a matinee affair Saturday afternoon. The last time Colorado played an afternoon game at Staples Center, this happened:

When you think it’s bad

There’s always this to shed some light.

Seeing Purple

Catwalk: The Kings will be donning their vintage “Forum Blue” (purple) and gold throwback beauties for their return to Staples Center Saturday afternoon. This will be in recognition for Ian Laperriere, who the Kings will pay tribute to in the first installment of this season’s “Legend’s Night” series.

However, it’s more fitting for former Kings owner Jerry Buss, who passed away early this past Monday. These are the uniforms the Kings wore during Buss’ ownership, and it’s the first home game for the Kings since the former owner’s passing.

There will be a moment of silence dedicated to Jerry Buss prior to Saturday’s contest.

Puck drops at Staples Center Saturday at 1:00PM PST against the Colorado Avalanche.

Episode 180 KingsCast TV: LA Kings Battle in Alberta – HERE
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Like a buried gem found on Tolkuchka, this player’s value is Russian upward.

To double-clutch at the simple realization a player is spending just their second season at the NHL-level means you’re dealing with an extremely special name.

And one that battles proper pronunciation.

That’s the case for the Kings’ Vyacheslav Voynov, who was selected 32nd overall by the Kings in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Voynov was the third player acquired by the Kings in that season’s draft, behind Drew Doughty (#2 overall) and Colten Teubert (#13 overall).

Voynov is showing a maturity and intelligence level right now that trumps Drew Doughty‘s. As for Colten Teubert, he no longer plays in the Kings’ organization. Teubert was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Dustin Penner on February 28, 2011.

Voynov has played in just 65 regular season NHL games. Sprinkle last season’s 20 postseason contests into the mix, and the number hits 85.

Yet, the kid plays like a veteran. The Kings have an exceptional asset on their hands.

The 23 year-old native of Chelyabinsk, Russia is carrying the Kings’ injury-plagued defense on his shoulders. When you say he’s been the best defenseman on the roster this season – you’re dead-on and right. When you say he’s been the best overall player – you’ve got a point.

Because, in a style of play that seems to come from instinct rather than raw skill, the quickly developing prospect has been on point.

And from the point, he’s been lethal.

#26 bombs Columbus

Flying V

Slava-Rama: Numbers can be dishonest at times, but the statistics that sit beside Vyacheslav Voynov‘s name just about do his play this season justice. Just about. In the Kings’ first 11 games to start this shortened season, the Russian blue-liner has six points in the form of two goals and four assists.

If you’re looking for beauty, track Voynov’s presence for a shift. Follow him at all times, follow him without the puck. That folks, is when you really see a player.

Voynov’s six points (2G, 4A) is tied for second-best on the roster with three other players – Dustin Brown (3G, 3A), Mike Richards (1G, 5A), and Kyle Clifford (1G, 5A). Brown and Richards are clear-cut top-six forwards, where you’ll expect sexy offensive stat-lines. Clifford has been a horse, and deserves every point he’s tallied this season.

But for Voynov, his offensive numbers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to analyzing his overall presence on this Kings roster.

When he isn’t inking the score-sheet, he’s keeping scorekeepers on their toes by creating red-light opportunities. The kid puts the puck on net, and he often directs it toward the traffic that presents itself in the crease. Vyacheslav Voynov is fifth on the Kings roster in shots on goal with 22.

In 54 regular season games in the 2011-2012 campaign, Voynov recorded 20 points in the form of eight goals and 12 assists. He’s on pace to shatter those results this year, even in this shortened 48-game season.

Nothing new here

Watch me now

Five-Tools for you: When you talk well-rounded, that speaks to the game of Vyacheslav Voynov. He may be more impressive without the puck than with it. This points to positioning; providing support in all areas on the ice.

Vyacheslav Voynov is open more often than your local Denny’s.

This bodes extremely well for puck control, giving the other four players on the ice with Voynov at any time a reliable target to share the puck with when under pressure. And this is why I stress the beauty of watching Vyacheslav Voynov without the puck.

It’s called ‘regrouping’, and it’s oh so vital in today’s NHL game.

He’s always open. And it if isn’t in a clear and open area multiple feet away, it’s close by for support of the pressure he’s reading.

Take Notes

Mom’s got dinner on the table: For the first time in 27 days come Friday, the Kings will be on home ice at Staples Center. This, for a date with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be the second time these two clubs have seen each other this season.

The Kings defeated the Blue Jackets 4-2 on February 5th in Columbus, Ohio at Nationwide Arena.

This will also mark Jack Johnson‘s first visit to Staples Center in an opposing sweater since being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets last February for Jeff Carter.

Speaking of Vyacheslav Voynov, he had quite the impact the last time the Kings played hockey in downtown Los Angeles.

Come home, we’ve got time

When I kicked it in New Hampshire

Give Loktionov a call

And tell him you’re killing it. Tell him you’re killing it in the big show.

Episode 179 KingsCast TV: LA Kings are slumping – HERE
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Activity in the Kings’ front office is in full-swing.

Friday’s move pulled by Dean Lombardi unclogs an overpopulation of players in the organization at the centerman position, and gives a much-needed solid body to this roster’s terribly beleaguered defense.

The Kings have acquired defenseman Keaton Ellerby from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fifth-round draft selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Ellerby, who stands at a height of 6’4″ and weighs in at 220 lbs, provides some much needed size and stay-at-home presence that was lost in the Kings’ defensive scheme earlier this season.

Injuries to Matt Greene (out indefinitely) and Willie Mitchell (cleared by doctors but still questionable on all accounts) have left some holes in the Kings’ back-end that are certainly hampering defensive strength. It boils down to the plays and contributions that may not stand out when being a spectator.

Both Greene and Mitchell were shot-block hounds, combining for 251 stunted opportunities off the sticks of opposing players last season. They were also both staples on the Kings’ penalty-killing unit. This team is missing big bodies in the defensive zone, those which can log grueling minutes and clog the defensive zone.

With Keaton Ellerby, the Kings have added a player that can help subdue the loss of the two injured big-bodies.

Andrew Campbell, who had been called-up from the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs, will remain with the Kings’ affiliate with Ellerby’s addition.

What may be most impressive is how Dean Lombardi materialized this trade. Lombardi pulled the first trigger Wednesday, dealing the disgruntled Andrei Loktionov to the New Jersey Devils for a 5th-round pick in this upcoming summer’s 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Ellerby was then a healthy scratch in the Panthers’ contest against the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night. This hints that Dean Lombardi already had the trade in the works – if not internally finalized. Ellerby had played in all of Florida’s prior nine contests this season.

So, in turn, Lombardi flipped the fifth-round draft pick he received for Andrei Loktionov, and used it to acquire a player that fills a role that the Kings are suddenly, and sorely weak at.

Now that’s a work of art from a General Manager. Let’s see if this roster can benefit from the move.

Keaton for a beatin’

Keaton Ellerby is expected to join the roster today for practice in Detroit, Michigan in preparation for the Kings’ date with the Detroit Red Wings Sunday at Joe Louis Arena.

It’ll be a matinee affair in Hockeytown, so the puck will drop over eggs and coffee in Southern California, slating a 9:30AM start. We’ll have some pre-game notes here at KingsCast prior to tomorrow’s contest.

Episode 179 KingsCast TV: LA Kings are slumping – HERE
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The Kings have mutually parted ways with their 5th round selection from the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. This, for a 5th round selection in this summer’s 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Andrei Loktionov requested a trade last week, Dean Lombardi cooperated.

It all comes full circle.

The Kings’ Russian prospect has been traded to the New Jersey Devils, who the Kings defeated in last season’s Stanley Cup Finals series. Loktionov, who played 39 regular season games and made two playoff appearances with the Kings last season, was nixed from the list of players and personnel to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup after last season’s success.

So, all you have to remember of Andrei Loktionov‘s time in a Kings uniform, is a player that fell victim to a roster too heavy in depth to provide the 22 year-old native of Voskresensk, Russia a true opportunity to blossom at the NHL level.

Now there’s a positive way to say goodbye.

Loktionov spent stints of three seasons in a Kings uniform, but skated most with the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs. There was just no room for him here. The Kings are healthily and heavily platooned at Andrei Loktionov‘s position, with Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, and Jarret Stoll locking up the centerman positions on the first three lines for years to come.

And you already know Loktionov has no business being a fourth-liner.

It’s not so much that Andrei Loktionov couldn’t fit in at his natural center position, but he wasn’t valuable enough working elsewhere. Terry Murray experiemented with Loktionov at the wing position during the 2010-2011 campaign, but results were unsatisfactory.

And that really spelled Loktionov’s fate with the Kings, or at least foreshadowed it. Another problem with his fit in this organization was that the Kings have a number of versatile forwards who could be used in different roles/positions that were clearly a better option than Loktionov.

A lot of it had to do with size, and as it ultimately comes to; production.

Andrei Loktionov played a total of 59 regular season games with the Kings over the course of three years, and two in the postseason last spring. In that time, the young Russian potted seven goals and seven assists for 14 points.

May I compare him to a lesser Ryan Smyth? Loktionov never queued a red-light from more than three feet outside of the crease in his time with the Kings.

If you see Andrei Loktionov, you’ll find him inside – regardless of the uniform.

Long Island strut

Phoenix on the Boards

Andrei on his toes

Follow up in Columbus

Capitals-izing

Crowning Beantown

Everyone remembers their first

You’d be wrong not to acknowledge the most awkward interview ever.

The kid was probably sh*t scared of Daryl Evans’ suspenders

Andrei Loktionov has spent the entire season in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs. After starting the season as one of Manchester’s top scorers during the NHL lockout, he’s simmered down and currently has 22 points for seven goals and 15 assists through 37 games.

He’s seen his last days in New Hampshire, but not in the AHL. Loktionov has been assigned to the Albany Devils through the trade, the New Jersey Devils‘ AHL affiliate.

Adios, Andrei

The Kings are in Tennessee Thursday night for a date with the Nashville Predators.

Episode 178 KingsCast TV: What’s the deal with Mike Richards? – HERE
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The Kings have shown some bad signs this season, but it’s got nothing to do with poster board.

Attention now turns to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who sit dead-last in the NHL‘s Central Division with a 3-5-1 record.

Jeff Carter will surely be flowered with arena-synchronized boo-birds from Blue Jackets’ faithful every time he touches the puck Tuesday night, much like he was on March 8th of last season. Meanwhile, an old friend will be skating in opposing colors – Jack Johnson.

This should all brew some blood flow for Tuesday night’s date.

Nationwide Arena – a hostile setting? I guess so? Kind of. It’s no joke these days for the Kings when they hit downtown Columbus, Ohio. Along with the nagging ‘Defending Stanley Cup Champions’ target the Kings carry to opposing buildings this season, toss in the return of Columbus’ much maligned Jeff Carter, and the second reunion with former King, and newest Columbus poster boy, Jack Johnson.

The Buckeye State foreshadows quite the dandy of a date.

Light on D, fine without “3″

Blue-line blues: The Kings remain without two of their primary defensemen Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. Mitchell, who skated Monday at Toyota Sports Center, should return within the next couple of weeks. Greene is out indefinitely.

Even with this, Jack Johnson isn’t missed, and would not be the guy to fill the holes left by the two aforementioned players. Johnson, who offered a more offensive style, would be a bigger liability now that the Kings’ defensive scheme is terribly light.

For a player that was often found out of position in the defensive zone, and had trouble controlling himself in transition after offensive rushes, he’s a better fit elsewhere – especially with a team where he can log heavy minutes and play as a free spirit.

Speaking of minutes, the Columbus Blue Jackets are using Johnson for every penny he’s worth. As forwarded by Jon Rosen, Johnson logged 34:59 minutes of ice time Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings. This is the most an NHL player has skated in a regular season game since Dan Boyle with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008.

Quick Recovery

Red Light: After Saturday night’s 7-4 drubbing by way of the Anaheim Ducks, both Kings goaltenders ended their night in ugly fashion. Jonathan Quick, who started in his seventh consecutive game this season, gave up two goals on Anaheim’s first three shots.

Darryl Sutter, who doesn’t like to do so, pulled his starting goaltender just 5:49 into the contest and granted Jonathan Bernier his first action of the campaign – his first NHL action since March 31st, 2012. Bernier didn’t do much better, but it’s easy to understand the Quebec native had a bit of rust on his pads.

Bernier allowed four goals on 21 shots, and the Anaheim Ducks went on to add an empty-net tally to finalize the scoring. A successful return to NHL action for Bernier would be a difficult feat even if he was given the start, with time to prepare. Instead, he was thrown into the mix in an off-guard fashion, against an Anaheim offense that has started extremely hot.

Comfortable Confines?

Columbus’ Nationwide Arena and the Kings’ Jonathan Bernier are quite familiar with each other. In the previous three dates the Kings have played in Columbus, Bernier has gotten the starting nod.

In those three games, Bernier was reliable with a 2-1-0 record. For Darryl Sutter, tonight’s goalie decision could be bigger than you think. If you start Jonathan Bernier, you give the guy much-needed playing time, in a familiar setting, and fresh off of Saturday night’s action.

Oh, and a chance to polish off the rust shown in Anaheim.

If Sutter decides to go with Jonathan Quick, that’s just as fair – as he is the Kings’ clear-cut #1 starter. You never want an early-exit situation to hangover with a goalie and flutter his confidence. I believe Quick is mentally stronger than that, and tonight’s choice will basically come down to a coin-flip type decision from head coach Darryl Sutter.

Final Notes

Jeff Carter, who the Kings acquired from Columbus, has three goals in seven games. The points will come, because Carter is creating opportunity. In these first seven games, he’s fired off 21 shots – an average of three per game.

Jack Johnson, who the Kings sent to Columbus, has one goal and two assists for three points in Columbus’ first nine games. And not a shocker here: Johnson has a -2 rating to go with it. However, he’s doing exactly what Columbus wants – logging ice, creating shots (25), blocking shots (13), and maybe most importantly, being a solid voice and leader in the Blue Jackets’ locker room.

After all, Johnson is donning an “A” on his sweater.

Jack-Track

Just weeks prior to Jack Johnson‘s trade from the Kings to the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 23, 2012, he snuck Drew Doughty a beautiful split-second, split-decision pass. Johnson, who was often a textbook-style defenseman with the Kings, did show a different side with this instinctive tap to Drew Doughty to defeat the Blue Jackets.

Forgive me later

March 8, 2012: This date presented the first reunion between the Kings and Jack Johnson since his trade and five years in a Kings uniform. Johnson momentarily upset the Kings’ clawing ways to a playoff position, scoring the game-winning goal on Jonathan Bernier with just seconds left in the first period.

The Kings would go 6-1 in their next seven games, en route to a Stanley Cup Championship.

Jack’d

Give me directions to her place, Jacko

Hung to dry

Kids didn’t like Jack Johnson anyway.

And Jeff Carter bangs hot wives. He railed Scott Hartnell‘s hoochie.

Puck drops 4:00PM PST against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

Have the radio dial set to 1150 KTLK-AM for that ride home from work.

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Time for a tune-up. Sputtering to start, the Kings must now find their identity in hostile confines.

The Grammy Awards have pushed the Kings out of their home building, something they’ve become annually accustomed to.

You’ll identify the Kings by their white sweaters for the next three weeks.

A lengthy tour away from Los Angeles is in store. The Kings embark on a five-game road trip, starting tonight in Orange County against the Anaheim Ducks. Tonight’s contest calls for a quick, 45-minute trip along Intersate-5. Thereafter, the Kings are Midwest bound.

They’ll continue with visits to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, and finish off against the St. Louis Blues before returning to Staples Center for a quick one-game stint against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 15th.

Don’t get comfortable with that visit, the Kings will round-up and head out for another three-game roady after February 15th’s affair. The Kings play seven of their next eight contests on the road.

There’s an early challenge for you.

Sometimes, though, you find your true self away from home.

Territory Talks

Duck Hunt: Tonight’s date with the Anaheim Ducks will be the first of four between the two Pacific Division rivals this season. As the Kings continue to find their feet, the Ducks have been rolling in feat.

Anaheim is off to an astounding 4-1-1 record, coming off of a 3-1 win against the Minnesota Wild last night at Honda Center. In fact, one of Anaheim’s only slips this season came in a 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, who are atop the Pacific Division and entire NHL with an undefeated 7-0-0 record.

The Kings owned the Anaheim Ducks last season, however. In their six contests against the Ducks last year, the Kings went 5-1-0. All six contests were decided by one or two goals, including two of which were decided in a shootout.

Production on the offensive end will need to be discovered tonight by the Kings, who have mocked their scoring struggles which plagued this team much of last season. The Kings, through their first six games, have scored just 11 regulation goals.

This comes to an average of 1.77 goals per game, which places the Kings at 29th in the NHL in scoring, only ahead of the Nashville Predators – who the Kings played on Thursday night. Both clubs represented their statistics in true form Thursday, riding a 1-1 stalemate into an 8-round shootout, which the Kings lost.

Talk about struggling to score.

Well, there’s more, unfortunately. A vital factor to offensive success in the NHL is powerplay output. A 6.1% isn’t going to cut it. That percentage may look better than the fraction here. Out of the 33 Kings’ powerplay opportunities, they’ve scored just two times.

Finding the net will be crucial tonight in Anaheim, because Jonathan Quick can’t be dependant to bail you out every single night.

Call on Me?

Berning to play: We’re bound to see it happen at some point on this road-trip, but not tonight. Jonathan Quick will get the start in net for the Kings as Jonathan Bernier rides the pine yet again. Quick started for the Kings in all six contests against the Ducks last season.

Bernier hasn’t started a game since March 31st, 2012 – in which he made 20 saves in a 4-3 OT loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Kings’ backup goaltender started a grand total of 13 games last year – that surely ain’t every day playing.

With the whacky shortened schedule the Kings are dealing with, while taking into consideration the precautions needed to keep Jonathan Quick 100% healthy from his offseason back surgery, Bernier should get at least a handful of calls from coach Darryl Sutter this season.

13 games is pushing it, though.

I’d expect Bernier to start Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.

In Jonathan Bernier‘s 48 career NHL starts with the Kings, he’s faced the Anaheim Ducks just twice. The latest came on December 26, 2010, where Bernier made 18 saves in a 4-1 Kings victory at Staples Center.

Bernier’s other start against Anaheim was his NHL debut in October of 2007 in London, England at that season’s European NHL Premiere series. 19 years-old at the time, Jonathan Bernier introduced himself to the league with a stalwart performance.

The Ducks, who were playing their first game since winning the Stanley Cup in the spring of 2007, were nearly shutout by the young Bernier. He stopped 26 of Anaheim’s 27 shots, bringing home a 4-1 win for the Kings.

Another King has had his “first” against the Anaheim Ducks.

Say Hey, Anze

Duck Roast

No Love Lost

Final Notes: Kyle Clifford, who has been skating with the Kings’ second-line, could return to play alongside Colin Fraser and Jordan Nolan on the fourth-line tonight.

Dustin Penner is expected to return to the Kings’ lineup, after being a healthy scratch for the previous four contests. He should be alongside Mike Richards and Jeff Carter on the second-line.

Puck drops at 7:00PM PST against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.

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The look now turns to Nashville. And as of late, the looks have been good.

Kind of like that girl in the green shirt.

The Kings, after trudging slow to start the season with an 0-3-0 record, have pulled off two consecutive wins, the latest coming in sensational fashion. Staples Center donned it’s ice surface again Monday night, and presented quite a show.

It came via Voynov. Vyacheslav Voynov arguably has one of the best pass-to-shot one-time releases for an NHL defenseman. Like a boomerang.

What will 43 seconds do for you?

VV for W

Andrei wants out?

Russian the process: While one of the two Kings’ Russian prodigies continues to prosper in a Kings uniform, the other is struggling to utilize his skills at the NHL level. Andrei Loktionov, who is buried beneath a very heavy depth chart at the Centerman position in the Kings’ organization, remains with the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs.

Loktionov has reportedly requested a trade, and it would be hard to blame the 22-year old native of Voskresensk, Russia for doing so.

He’s looking up at a group of proven names that includes Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, and Jarret Stoll – all of whom are under contracts for many years to come. And it’s pretty obvious that Loktionov has no business in a fourth-line role.

His options are pretty much zeroed-out at this point, even if you consider a transfer to a wing position – which Terry Murray experimented with early last season, and that failed to resonate into anything useful.

Loktionov is having a stellar season in Manchester, however. Through 35 games this season, the young forward has posted seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. If he’s ever able to graduate from the AHL level and make it as a full-time NHL forward, chances are it won’t be with the Kings.

Alas, Andrei Loktionov has spoken an honest word in his request for a trade.

Roster Rumbles

Take a Seat: After dressing in the Kings’ first two games of the season, Dustin Penner has been a healthy scratch at Darryl Sutter‘s discretion – sitting out the previous three contests, and will likely do the same tonight against the Nashville Predators.

The Kings’ aging forward has struggled to maintain pace on the ice. His size and strength is a wonder, but slowing down can become a rather quick process for a player with a build and stature such as Penner’s.

The fourth line for the Kings is all but locked up, with Kyle Clifford, Colin Fraser, and Jordan Nolan securing their spots for the meantime with their aggressive and abrasive play. This would mean finding room for Penner somewhere on the Kings’ top-three line scheme.

I don’t see that happening anytime soon, the same goes with his return to the lineup.

Willie-Nilly

The return of Willie Mitchell will continue to be put on hold. The Kings’ stay-at-home defenseman will miss his sixth game of the season while attempting to reach 100% health after minor knee surgery, in which recovery has taken much longer than initially thought.

Darryl Sutter has shown subtle signs of impatience in waiting for Mitchell to return, leaning on the defenseman’s perceived medical clearance – which has become yet another gray area.

Mitchell, who injured himself in his rehab process from surgery, has only been cleared to practice. He’s been skating lightly at Toyota Sports Center, but has dedicated more time to off-ice training and recovery.

Considering Mitchell’s age, and the vital importance he holds down the stretch of this shortened season, his return is nothing that should be rushed. For Willie Mitchell and the Kings, staying out of the lineup for now is an intelligent move.

Don’t be the Victim

It’s the Nashville Predators tonight at Staples Center in the Kings sixth contest of the season. This is a beleaguered team. Nashville has started with a lowly 1-2-3 record, and is coming off a 4-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale, Arizona.

Pekka Rinne, who led all NHL goaltenders in regular season wins last season with 43, has yet to pick up a win in his first five starts for the Predators.

Speaking of goaltending…

Don’t be shocked to see backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier in net for the Kings tonight. It is, after all, the Nashville Predators – a team which Bernier has been prone to get the call against in recent seasons. If Darryl Sutter is looking for a good time to shimmy Bernier into the mix for a game, that time is tonight.

Setting the bar against Nashville

Bar-down and beautiful.

Puck drops downtown Thursday night against the Nashville Predators at 7:30PM PST.

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Dessert in the desert, Saturday night was.

Things came to light in the same building where the Kings clinched a Stanley Cup Final berth on May 22nd of last year, erupting offensively at Jobing.Com Arena in Glendale, Arizona to show their first true signs of life this season in their fourth game of this shortened 2012-2013 campaign.

The Kings’ 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes was buoyed by two goals from Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter‘s second goal in as many games, and was all polished off with Jake Muzzin‘s historic marker – the first tally of his young NHL career.

Defeating the Coyotes, to put simply, was crucial. Even more so if you’re considering the Kings had matched their worst start to a season in their 2-1 OT loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. The Kings hadn’t gone winless to start their first three games of a campaign since the 1985-86 season.

What a bloated record. 17 seasons gives it some spice, but the first three games of a season is nothing to base claims off of. Especially under these current circumstances.

We’ll talk more as analysis legitimizes itself.

It’s game five of the season tomorrow, and the Kings are back on Staples Center ice for the first time in three games, nine days.

This will be a quick, two-game three day homestand for the Kings, who will take to the road thereafter for more than two weeks. Staples Center is hosting a pretty important four points for grabs this week. You don’t want pressure to elevate heading into a 15-day stay away from Los Angeles.

Life can get tough on the road, the Kings have a tough trip looming.

So you must execute on home-ice, execute like Kyle Clifford, who continued to key on his promotion to the Kings’ second-line, notching another assist in Phoenix Saturday. He continues to lead the entire roster in scoring.

Jeff Carter has also struck early season success, scoring two goals in the past two games, including the Kings’ game-winning goal Saturday night. Unfortunately, Mike Richards isn’t in the same boat.

But when it comes from #11…

Kopitar Caters

It’s a date at the Stape with the Vancouver Canucks Monday night.

Puck drops in downtown Los Angeles 7:30 PM PST

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The honeymoon’s over. Hola, hockey.

For the Kings, it’s a roster that has been hit with some unexpected misfortune in the health department. It’s also a roster that is being carried, as well as it can be, by the unexpected.

Scoring has come at an unsatisfactory rate through the first two contests of the campaign, with red-light inducers provided only by the three forwards that embody the Kings’ fourth-line, and two defensemen which rarely trigger reaction from scorekeepers.

Offensive output has been activated by Kyle Clifford (3pts), Jordan Nolan (2pts), Colin Fraser (1pt), Rob Scuderi (1pt), and of course Matt Greene (1pt), who will likely see his assist in the Kings’ opener be his final point of the season. Alec Martinez also has one point, but that’s not a shocker.

Those are the Kings’ leading scorers.

The depth ain’t done, however. Trevor Lewis, who has been rotating between third and fourth-line roles, leads the entire Kings roster in shots-on-goal through two games with eight.

It’s a bit ironic how three of the few powerful offensive bodies seen from the Kings’ roster through the first two games of the season spent some time during the NHL lockout playing in the ECHL. The skill-level between these two leagues is night and day.

Kind of like Tuesday’s performance compared to Saturday’s.

The effort, focus, and overall performance was much better at the Pepsi Center last night against the Colorado Avalanche. If you’re expecting perfection, or a miraculous carry-over from last spring, you’re in for an agonizing ride.

And it doesn’t have to be, because most of what is happening, said, or done today, will likely be irrelevant in about a week.

Sutter says

Lend an ear: It’s already renown that head coach Darryl Sutter was the most vital factor to the Kings’ success last season. The guy knows what’s going on, and he’s got a way of stubbornly expressing it to the media without openly disgracing them.

It’s open-fire. But he does it respectably. It’s like the reporters don’t know they asked a shit-stained question.

Don’t be offended by the truth, which Sutter spits. However, he regularly has a field-day with reporters with his simple, and extremely blunt responses. He brought up an extremely valid point following the Kings’ opening contest Saturday:

“Hopefully, our first and second lines give us some quality minutes instead of just playing them.” – Darryl Sutter via Frozen Royalty

You’ve got to love the subtle, yet oh so blatant messages that flow through Darryl Sutter‘s one-sentence responses.

Guess who showed up in Colorado? It wasn’t the aforementioned first and second lines, that’s for certain. All offensive assets showed improvement, but that was a given following Saturday’s debacle. Tough to get worse, eh?

It was Kyle Clifford and the utterly antagonizing fourth line that ran the show, completed by the likes of Colin Fraser and Jordan Nolan. This trio was used aplenty in Saturday’s opener, and was clearly the best offensive group in the lineup.

The fourth-line returned to the spotlight again Tuesday in Colorado with Kyle Clifford‘s first period goal off of a Jordan Nolan shot. This shot, purposely placed by Nolan himself, granted a friendly carom that would direct access to Clifford’s stick.

Fourth comes forth

Cliff-Hanger: Kyle Clifford practiced with the second line Wednesday, skating alongside Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. It’s yet to be confirmed whether or not Clifford steps into a top-six role for the Kings’ third game of the season Thursday night.

Back to Edmonton

In Edmonton: Willie Mitchell will not play.

Hopefully the Kings can put forth a performance resembling that of an oil-change.

You can always use one of those on the road.

My bad, Gretz.

Puck drops at Rexall Place in Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers Thursday 6:30 PM PST.

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Imagine all of this with a full 82-game schedule. You know what a hurdle is?

Now it’s a scramble. You have to recover quickly. You have to.

Tuesday’s contest with the Colorado Avalanche presents a string of sudden roster moves to the Kings’ lineup. As though recovering from Saturday’s lackluster loss wasn’t a challenge in itself, the Kings must now adapt to a tornado-like whirlwind of roster moves.

These changes have come in all facets. With some of the good, you better expect a bit of the bad.

The Good: You’ll see a #11 sweater Tuesday evening. Anze Kopitar will be in the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche, fully healed from the knee injury he suffered in Sweden playing with Mora IK.

The Neutral: We barely knew the guy — Anthony Stewart has been placed on waivers.

The Bad: He’s traveling with the Kings has they embark on a three-game road trip over the course of five days, which hints at an imminent return for Willie Mitchell, who injured himself training just after the NHL lockout ended.

The Ugly: This is about as bad as it gets. Kings’ defenseman Matt Greene suffered a herniated disc during Saturday’s contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. Initial reports claimed Greene was likely to miss the entire season, but most recent words hint at a three-month recovery process for the Kings’ stay-at-home defensive rock.

Bottom Line: Greene’s gone, and the only question is whether he can return late in the regular season, or playoffs, or.. next October.

Equally as missed as his shut-down defensive coverage will be, is his voice.

Word of Mouth

You think Jack Johnson would listen.

But, many also thought Johnson would be a top-tier elite NHL defenseman.

Blue-line Blues

Blindside: The Kings returned defensively in a very attractive way this season, seeing all six defensemen – Willie Mitchell, Matt Greene, Vyacheslav Voynov, Rob Scuderi, Drew Doughty, and Alec Martinez return to the roster. The Kings controlled many games in the latter part of last season, and all throughout the postseason, with their arrogant defensive scheme.

One of the last problems you could foresee hitting the Kings this season is one that applies to defense. With Willie Mitchell still on injured-reserve, and Matt Greene‘s entire season now threatened, the Kings must adapt immediately.

Unfortunately, for now at least, this means Davis Drewiske will remain in the lineup. He will skate alongside Alec Martinez in Colorado tonight. And it also means digging into the product on the farm with the AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs for some assistance.

Manchester’s Muzzin: The Kings will call on Jake Muzzin, who was called-up from Manchester as soon as news broke of Matt Greene‘s injury. This will be Muzzin’s second NHL-stint, his second with the Kings. At the start of the 2010-2011 campaign, Muzzin played the first 11 games of the year in a Kings uniform.

He hasn’t seen any action with the big club since, until tonight. His performance, along that of Drewiske’s will not just once again determine the length of their time with the Kings, but if Dean Lombardi should trigger another trade to acquire a defensive body.

Only time will tell, and the way this season has been structured, “too late” can sneak up on you with the blink of an eye. For now, the Kings are going with what they’ve got within their system to fill the big holes exposed. And, they have the assets to make moves if tonight’s defensive tandem can’t hold their own.

Jake Muzzin will play alongside Vyacheslav Voynov tonight. The two are quite familiar with each other as teammates with the Manchester Monarchs.

The burning question – Who will Jarret Stoll ride to games with now?

Ambitions As A Rider

Strollsy and Co. are now hit with a dose of adversity to play through early, and it’s going to get late – fast.

But it’s nothing an Anze Kopitar goal can’t put a positive twist on. Welcome back.

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This was as charming as ugly gets.

Kind of like how getting a “Go Kings” at a 7-Eleven in Crenshaw hours prior to puck-drop is. I’m totally sniping a 24oz coffee with one of those free espresso shots. No taquitos. No taquitos.

It was an unbalanced 5-2 melee matinee at Staples Center. The Kings start with a loss.

Watching Jarret Stoll resort back to an old habit of ripping errant one-timers from the top of the zone permeated an indescribable feeling of joy to watch live once again.

It was wonderful to witness dead offensive zone presence, seeing the Kings tally a lighthearted 21 shots – few of which were quality, while they kissed the boards all afternoon long as the Chicago Blackhawks‘ defense nixed any opportunity for inside Kings presence.

And you know you wanted to see Davis Drewiske – dressed.

Don’t deny the satisfaction felt from witnessing painfully botched defensive coverage and shaky puck-play from Jonathan Quick once again, it was great.

It was hands-down the Kings’ ugliest performance since March 2012, yet it was downright beautiful.

Any “analysis” is useless at this point. The Kings will hit the road for a three-game trip beginning Tuesday night in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. Expect Anze Kopitar to be dressed for the affair.

It will be another 12 days until the Kings skate on Staples Center ice again. Being on the road will be a common theme to the first quarter of the season.

Few positives can be taken from the Kings’ opener, but something made the day great.

Call it hockey.

Be like Jordan

We’ll be in touch about Tuesday’s date in Denver.

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Depth does it, and these days, that requires more than just grit.

This trade was was robbery. Look at the helicopters above.

Anthony Stewart and the two future draft selections attained by the Kings for Kevin Westgarth unquestionably bolsters what is arguably already the NHL‘s most complete roster. Trading Westgarth came at a very low-risk, and Dean Lombardi milked it for all it was worth – and more.

This day in age, an NHL enforcer, which are now more so considered “physical 3rd, 4th line forwards”, can’t earn ice-time by just throwing fists and aggressively using the body at-will. There’s got to be some skill-fed output, whether it be offensive or defensive.

This is why Kevin Westgarth‘s playing time was basically non-existent throughout the Kings’ Stanley Cup run last season. Other players who could hit and fight – yet score, such as Kyle Clifford, Jordan Nolan, and Dwight King, pushed Westgarth out of the picture.

Anthony Stewart is now another name on the Kings’ roster that fits the same role that overshadowed Westgarth’s contributions. Stewart’s offensive NHL output trumps not just Westgarth’s, but those of Clifford, King and Nolan – the three physical back-end forwards that outplayed Westgarth.

The Florida Panthers, who drafted Stewart #25th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, never cashed in on their investment, seeing Anthony Stewart suffer a wrist-injury that kept him out the majority of his rookie season, then spending most of his time in the AHL thereafter.

As soon as Stewart cut ties with Florida’s organization, he blossomed. In 2010-2011 with the Atlanta Thrashers, Anthony Stewart was an every-day asset. He dressed in 80 regular season games, potting 14 goals and 25 assists for an attractive 39-point total. His 55 penalty minutes that season complimented his 3rd/4th line physical role.

Last season, Stewart played with the Carolina Hurricanes, appearing in 77 regular season contests. His output suffered a minor decrease stats-wise, notching 20 points with nine goals and 11 assists, but still very respectable for his duty.

There’s room here for Stewart, and the possibilities are promising. For what a gut-feeling is worth, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jordan Nolan and Dwight King thrown into a trio with Stewart.

And even if that isn’t the case with Stewart’s arrival to the Kings’ roster, it’s an immediate upgrade to Kevin Westgarth, without a doubt.

Another fine move made by Dean Lombardi.

Stewart tricks Anaheim

Ain’t that nice.

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As training camp officially began Sunday morning at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, a friendly, familiar face was on his way out the door. It’s a business, now back to it.

Talks within Kings’ brass have been nothing but aggressive, and it’s been no bluff. Here’s the deal: last season wasn’t enough.

Wheeling, dealing.

Kevin Westgarth has been traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Anthony Stewart and a pair of future draft selections. The Kings receive a fourth-round draft pick in 2013, and a sixth-round draft pick in 2014.

Anthony Stewart, the 25th overall selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, didn’t make it to Florida’s roster until 2008, where he played just one season. Since then, Stewart was a member of what would be the final Atlanta Thrashers roster in history in 2010-2011, and then spent last season with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Stewart, a physical fourth-line forward, played 77 games with the Hurricanes last year, potting 20 points with nine goals and 11 assists. He tacked on 30 PIM and 92 hits to his stat-line.

If you’re going to make an early move, you couldn’t have made a safer acquisition that has so much upside to it than today’s gem pulled by Dean Lombardi.

Before anything further, it must be said the Kings lost quite possibly the strongest, most positive personality in their locker room today. Kevin Westgarth didn’t play a whole lot, he didn’t score a bunch, and often took it upon himself to protect the roster’s golden boys when he had the opportunity – and that’s not fun work.

Yet, he had one of the most positive attitudes on the roster. Westgarth was a treat for fans at practices in El Segundo, or during warmups at road games – always recognizing LA’s colors from a distance, and shooting you a head bump or a puck.

If you were to ever take a peek into the Kings’ locker-room, Westgarth’s voice was always well-heard. Even though he was arguably the least-skilled on the roster, and his playing-time was far from consistent, he was always speaking verses that implemented confidence and positivity.

And to note his involvement and importance off the ice, Kevin Westgarth represented the Kings in the NHL‘s CBA negotiations throughout the lockout.

On the ice, Westgarth played in a total of 90 regular season contests in a Kings uniform over the span of three separate seasons. In that time, the fourth-line enforcer dropped one goal, four assists, and 153 penalty minutes.

Kevin Westgarth was so in touch with fans, he spotted and overwhelmingly acknowledged a family from Manchester, New Hampshire that was attending a Kings practice in El Segundo last season, during a trip they made to watch their hometown prospects play in Kings uniforms.

Talk about a 3,000-mile trip being made worth-while.

Speaking of traveling…

Westside Connection

Road Trippin‘: The NHL finalized their condensed schedules for each club Saturday, and they’re staying simple. The Kings, along with all other 29 clubs, will play the majority of their season against division opponents, and all contests within their own conference.

Even though the Kings open on home-ice at Staples Center, they’ll be skating away from Los Angeles for a heavy majority of the first third of the season. Out of the Kings’ first 15 games, only four are scheduled in home confines.

This, because of scheduling conflicts with the two NBA clubs Staples Center also hosts, and the Grammy Award Show -  which annually chases the Kings, Lakers, and Clippers out of their home barn for the majority of February.

The Kings will see Pacific Division opponents for 18 of their 48 contests, and the remaining 30 will be dates with all other clubs in the Western Conference.

The full 2012-2013 Kings schedule can be seen here.

It’s all West this season, without Westgarth.

“The goal”

That was ugly as sh*t.

Westy’s Specialty

It’s crucial that Kevin Westgarth‘s career doesn’t end up like that of Raitis Ivanans.

Shit, if it does, he’s got a Princeton degree to his name. That’s got to be worth something.

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Thursday presented viewers with a healthy dose of confidence and McDonald’s ad-placements.

The green light’s on. Kings’ brass made it well-known during Thursday’s press conference at Staples Center that they’re in a full-fledged and conjoined effort to maintain the success the franchise flourished in last season.

Kings’ Governor Tim Leiweke and General Manager Dean Lombardi flashed an attitude resembling confidence that topped any seen from either of the team’s higher-ups in their tenures in Los Angeles.

You’ve got to flex the success a bit, it’s the high life. When you have confidence, you use your assets intelligently, yet boldly. And you state it publicly. Tim Leiweke and Dean Lombardi are willing to dish out the maximum amount of money allowed to bring another Stanley Cup championship to Los Angeles.

Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period Magazine popped the tantalizing question during Thursday’s presser regarding the Kings willingness to spend to the cap-limit this season.

It was a one-word response from Dean Lombardi. “Yes.”

One-word answers mean you’re sure.

No one on the roster is being dangled at the moment, not even backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier. There is absolutely no sense in dealing Bernier right now, especially with Jonathan Quick undergoing offseason back surgery. He’s simply too valuable to the Kings, and yes, that value could eventually turn into a trade – but don’t expect anything until this season’s revised trade-deadline.

Consider Leiweke and Lombardi’s assets to be insurance in case the Kings find themselves struggling for a postseason spot come March.

Everything’s in the Kings hands right now, everything.

This all tags along with the every player from last season’s roster returning, which has never once happened to an NHL team coming off of a Stanley Cup victory. And there’s so much more.

Put ‘em up

Sutter for another: The most crucial person, who undoubtedly proved to be the most vital off the ice last season, is head coach Darryl Sutter. There’s no questioning the miraculous effect he had on this Kings roster.

The replacement for former coach Terry Murray was made on December 17th of last season. This gave Darryl Sutter 49 regular season games to make a difference, which he did, leading the Kings to a 25-13-11 record, and ultimately pushing them to a Stanley Cup championship.

How ironic, because Darryl Sutter will have 48 regular season games to make magic with this Kings roster again, just one-less contest than he had with this club last year prior to the postseason. And, instead of doing it with a beleaguered team with a mediocre record, it’s a fresh start this time around.

And even more ironic, Darryl Sutter is the only current NHL head coach to have been at the helm of a bench during the 1994-’95 NHL season, which also saw a lockout minimize the season to 48 games. Sutter was the head coach for the New Jersey Devils that season, and triggered great success until falling in the Western Conference Finals to the Detroit Red Wings.

He knows the shortened-season drill, and has the comfort of doing it again with the exact same roster he revitalized into capturing glory in one of the most impressive turnarounds and postseason runs in sports history.

This, thanks to Dean Lombardi, who pulled the trigger at the right time, with the right guy.

And, it’s not the first time for the Kings’ GM.

The Dean

McLuc

Luc Robitaille talked about some McDonald’s stuff.

He also said every fan in attendance on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center will get a replica Stanley Cup championship ring and banner.

So sick.

It’s the Chicago Blackhawks next Saturday at 12:00PM.

This bodes well for the screaming hangover Patrick Kane will probably have.

Be up early, folks.

We’ll have a Chicago Blackhawks preview, along with other Kings notes leading up to puck-drop next Saturday.

Episode 176: KingsCast Holiday Compilation – HERE
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The lockout benefited none more than the Kings. There’s gold in this mess.

112 agonizing days later, it’s finally over. All is back in gear for the NHL.

The league’s operations have quickly gone from a stand-still state to full-on mayhem. The Kings are expected to start training camp, which would last approximately one week, as early as Wednesday. As far as an opening regular season date is concerned, Staples Center has an evening (7:30PM) slot available on January 16th, or a matinee ordeal (12:00PM) on January 19th.

Whichever date is decided upon, it will be sure to include the long-awaited ceremony that sees the Kings raise their first ever Stanley Cup banner into the rafters of Staples Center.

All we really know now is the basics, but it’s the most important information – that being a guaranteed start to the season. The Kings, along with all other 29 NHL clubs, will play a shortened schedule of either 48 or 50 games. Regular season length, along with official schedules, are expected to be decided upon in the next couple of days.

The Kings will not host the New York Rangers on opening night, as originally planned in the NHL‘s original 2012-2013 schedule. Expect to see a Pacific Division opponent, or another Western Conference rival, such as the Vancouver Canucks.

The opponent is still unknown, but everyone will be home.

Catching an Aeroplane

Now boarding: Nine players will be on immediate paths back to Los Angeles from other hockey clubs in the next couple of days. Three of those players will return from European confines, four from the Kings’ AHL affiliate in New Hampshire, one from the ECHL, and one from the CHL.

Trevor Lewis – #22

Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
GP: 6 G: 3 A: 6 PTS: 9

Alec Martinez – #27

Allen Americans (CHL), TPS Turku (SM-liiga)
GP: 11 G: 1 A: 1 PTS: 2 – *SM-liiga
GP: 3 G: 1 A: 1 PTS: 2 – *CHL

Jordan Nolan – #71

Manchester Monarchs (AHL)
GP: 21 G: 2 A: 4 PTS: 6

Andrei Loktionov – #48

Manchester Monarchs (AHL)
GP: 26 G: 6 A: 12 PTS: 18

Vyacheslav Voynov – #26

Manchester Monarchs (AHL)
GP: 35 G: 7 A: 9 PTS: 16

Dwight King – #74

Manchester Monarchs (AHL)
GP: 28 G: 5 A: 12 PTS: 17

Jonathan Bernier – #45

Heilbronn Falken (2.GBun)
GP: 13 W: 6 L: 7 GAA: 2.57

Dustin Brown – #23

Zurich (Swiss-A)
GP: 16 G: 8 A: 5 PTS: 13

Anze Kopitar – #11

Mora IK (Allsvenskan)
GP: 27 G: 9 A: 20 PTS: 29

Where are they now?: As for the rest of the Kings’ roster, they’ll either return from their homes where they’ve been conditioning and playing through the duration of the lockout, or continue to settle in Southern California where a handful of players on the club have been stationed.

Comeback effect

Lockout’s opened it up: Let’s start with the withdrawal effects the lockout had, and there weren’t many. Kings fans are more than used to a lengthy offseason, which had a commond trend of starting in early April, and stretching all the way to October.

That’s an estimated four months without hockey each year in Los Angeles.

This year, and fresh off of a Stanley Cup victory which saw this club play until June 11th, fans suffered through a six-month hiatus. If the joy of a Stanley Cup didn’t cushion that extra two months of life without the NHL, then you’re pretty hard to please. Especially, considering it was the franchise’s first championship in it’s 45-year existence.

I find it hard to imagine how things have been for fans of the other 29 NHL teams. Talk about a nightmare. We’ve had it good, folks.

Jonathan Quick, who underwent back surgery in June, has been granted much-needed time to recover from his operation because of the lockout. Quick practiced with the Manchester Monarchs numerous times during the work stoppage, but never saw any live action.

If you think a well-rested and recovered Jonathan Quick is a good thing, consider the fact that the Kings have their entire Stanley Cup winning roster intact from last season. This doesn’t happen often to championship teams, but the Kings hold what is quite possibly the sexiest contract line-up in the NHL.

Anze Kopitar will be absent for a bit. Don’t lose sleep over it.

And what may be most vital here, is the Kings reeling free from any symptoms connected with the NHL‘s notorious string of “Stanley Cup hangover” effects. They played until the early summer, they partied aplenty, but there were more than three months of extra rest to compliment the beauty of last season’s victory.

Really now, it’s been good.

We’ll be with you on all counts leading up to puck-drop.

Been there

How about doing it again. Wouldn’t that be a beauty.

Episode 176: KingsCast Holiday Compilation – HERE
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Kopitar is down, the NHL isn’t. How about these last-minute circumstances.

Anze Kopitar has probably seen the last of Sweden for some time now.

The single-most shuttering danger and risk that ties to sending a player off to another club — be it the Olympics, All-Star Game, and in this case, an NHL lockout — is injury. Kopitar is ‘red-cross’ status as of Saturday, suffering an injury to his right knee early in a contest with Mora IK.

Few specifics were offered about Kopitar’s injury, but a timetable of two to three weeks was estimated for full recovery by his agent Pat Brisson. This is instantly great news, and means there is no structural damage. Kopitar is expected to get a full evaluation in the next couple of days.

Kopitar suffered his injury in a contest against Leksands IF at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden – the same arena in which the Kings opened last year’s season against the New York Rangers. It is believed Kopitar exited mid-way through the first period after an odd ‘tweak’ felt during a play along the boards.

At least he didn’t tear his ankle to shreds, a la March 2011.

Colorado Down

Kudos to The Royal Half on being spot-on regarding the whole “next year” thing.

L.A. so I can play

Fashionably Late: The best thing about Kopitar’s injury is not if he’ll come back this year, but when. And all signs are pointing at a short recess for the Kings’ centerman in order to recover. When he does return to full health, chances are he’ll be playing in a Kings jersey for the affair.

The way recent talks have been going regarding the NHL‘s CBA negotiations, the league could very well be back to business before Kopitar is on the ice again. This means, and it sounds as good as it reads, that I truly believe Anze Kopitar has played his final game in Sweden with Mora IK.

According to solid sources, an opening contest for the Kings, which would include the pregame Stanley Cup ceremony and banner raising, is being slated to be hosted at Staples Center on either January 16th, or January 19th.

If these talks prove to have substance — and the vibes are strong, then Anze Kopitar won’t just be back on home soil for recovery, but for anticipation of his next contest in a Kings uniform.

See you at Staples Center soon.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.

What if I said the season was coming back?

Like Whaaat

Episode 176: KingsCast Holiday Compilation – HERE
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As NHL operations continue to linger in stagnant dysfunction, Kings’ defenseman Alec Martinez continues his tumultuous adventure during the league’s lockout.

The CHL? The CHL.

It’s a stint in the Central Hockey League for Martinez, who is now settled just outside of Dallas, Texas with the Allen Americans. The CHL consists of 10 teams, and runs on a short regional circuit. A handful of other NHL players are playing in the CHL during the lockout, including former Kings defenseman Kyle Quincey, who played in 12 games with the Denver Cutthroats earlier this season.

Alec Martinez was the second Kings player to flee North America once the NHL strike began, heading to Finland to join TPS Turku in the Finnish pro league SM-liiga. Martinez played 11 games with TPS Turku until he took a slap-shot directly to the face in a contest on November 13.

The damage to Martinez’ face required reconstructive surgery, so he soon returned home from Finland to his off-season home in Allen, Texas – the same town he brought the Stanley Cup trophy to on his day of celebration this summer.

This is eerily similar to Trevor Lewis‘ recent signing in Utah, minus the dome surgery.

Don’t let the CHL‘s level of play put a downward twist on what a rather brilliant decision this is for Alec Martinez, likewise with the Allen Americans. There is no plausible reason for Martinez to return to Finland after going through such a horrid injury and recovery procedure.

This move allows Martinez to play at a mid-level, and still professionally, to comfortably recover from his facial injury while simultaneously staying in game-shape for an NHL return.

Which, in turn, could be another positive glimmer to league talks that the NHL could return to play on January 19th. This would be the final date in which a “legitimate season” could be salvaged – that being a 48-game schedule for each club.

If there’s legs to these talks, Martinez is at home just where he should be – whilst playing professional hockey. Call it a ‘win-win’ among a season filled with disappointment.

El fin: As for Martinez’ time in Finland, the experience did bring along a moment of magic for the Kings’ 25 year-old defenseman. He only scored one goal in his 11-game stint overseas, but it came in overtime on November 1st – via a beautifully placed snap-shot from the point.

Overtime Finnish

Goose egg: Martinez debuted with the Allen Americans Monday night, staying off of the scoresheet, but certainly helped defensively in the Americans’ 4-0 shutout victory against the Quad City Mallards.

The next scheduled contest for Martinez and the Americans is on Friday night at the Allen Event Center against the Tulsa Oilers.

Episode 176: KingsCast Holiday Compilation – HERE
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Holiday homecomings are sweet. And Trevor Lewis spells hockey in the state of Utah.

A gift on both ends this is. Hockey’s biggest icon in the Beehive State saddles up locally, with one of minor league hockey’s most successful and tenured franchises.

The Kings’ developing back-end forward has inked a deal with the ECHL‘s Utah Grizzlies, and all will be confirmed at a press conference Thursday afternoon. These are familiar confines for Lewis, who’s home lies in Salt Lake City, and is the only Utah native to have his name engraved on the NHL‘s Stanley Cup trophy.

In fact, on his day with the Stanley Cup on August 30th, Trevor Lewis presented the trophy to 6,000 friends, fans, and family at Maverik Center in West Valley City, UT. And low and behold, the Maverik Center is also the host arena for Lewis’ new club, the Utah Grizzlies.

It all comes full-circle, no? Let’s silver-line this ECHL stuff.

Lewy in the News

Depth to death: If Trevor Lewis‘ nine points during the postseason didn’t tell you things were clicking on all cylinders for the Kings, then the club’s results did. Lewis dropped three goals and six assists during the 20-game Stanley Cup run.

This was a spectacular ending to a rather mediocre season for the young forward, who potted a lowly seven-points in 72 regular season games in the form of three goals and four assists.

Lewis, who hasn’t been known to have the best hands, or the greatest scoring touch, has consistently been a smart player for the Kings, and an extremely comfortable option when looking to fill a 3rd or 4th line Centerman role. Lewis has also been a staple on the penalty-kill, and his defensive mindset is usually spot-on.

The things fans may be missing from Trevor Lewis is a little more offensive touch, a little more output. The ECHL won’t just give Lewis a chance to stay in shape during the NHL lockout, but also an opportunity to gain a little more confidence and loosen up his offensive game – which he can carry over into his return to the NHL.

Hell, Kyle Clifford has six points in five ECHL games — Trevor Lewis should be able to dabble with the score sheet a bit.

Catch 22

Utahlkin’ hockey?

Meet me in Utah: And to bring yet another connection onto the scene, Trevor Lewis will see Kings teammate Kyle Clifford in his debut contest with the Utah Grizzlies. Clifford’s Ontario Reign are scheduled to be in Utah for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday night.

So, if you’re itching to watch some underwhelming hockey with some underwhelming hands, you know where to go. Clifford, who has played in just five games for the Ontario Reign, carries six points into Friday’s contest against the Utah Grizzlies, with three goals and three assists to the name. Clifford is scheduled to play in both contests in Utah this weekend.

Give us a Jump: The Utah Grizzlies are sitting at a less than impressive .500 record as Trevor Lewis arrives to their roster. This currently places them at 7th in the ECHL‘s Western Conference, which totals nine teams. NHL additions are a big deal to ECHL teams and their fans, as this is a dramatic demotion in skill and competition for Lewis.

If Lewis’ addition doesn’t completely pay itself off on the ice, it will with tickets sales and merchandise. We’re talking about the town’s most successful hockey name, and the only one to represent Utah on the Stanley Cup trophy. This, in regards to the current NHL situation, is quite a perfect fit for both Lewis and the Grizzlies organization.

Too bad Utah doesn’t still sport these awesome jerseys. Such beauties.

This will be Trevor Lewis‘ first taste of ECHL play. After being drafted #17 overall by the Kings in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Lewis jumped straight from the OHL to join the Manchester Monarchs for three seasons in the AHL.

And, maybe for old times’ sake, Lewy and Cliff can grab some dinner this weekend.

Good god.

Save my number: Lewis gets to keep his digits to compliment the momentary move back home. He’ll be in the familiar #22 sweater, this time in Utah’s green and copper scheme. Lewis will practice with the Grizzlies Thursday, and dress for puck-drop Friday night against the Ontario Reign.

Episode 176: KingsCast Holiday Compilation – HERE
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From untold to household, it’s been a remarkable rookie campaign for the Kings’ second-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

As if Kings’ GM Dean Lombardi needs any more impressive results from his recent string of moves with the organization, another prospect is fruitfully shaping into becoming a core piece of the Kings’ future.

Keep it rolling now.

Tyler Toffoli peppered the Portland Pirates with three goals Saturday night, notching his second hat-trick of the season for the Kings’ parent affiliate Manchester Monarchs. This weekend’s performance is just another taste of the promising skill Toffoli has brought to the American Hockey League in his first season of professional hockey.

The 20 year-old Toronto, Ontario native was an acquisition the Kings’ targeted for solidifying youth, skill, and size into the future of their top-six forward scheme – a problem that haunted the club’s offense for a decade.

Toffoli has shown early signs of developing into that role quite well; A role that Dustin Penner failed to satisfy, and one that two of Toffoli’s current teammates – Jordan Nolan and Dwight King, are also playing for.

However, it’s no competition for Toffoli, King, and Nolan – especially right now. Call it ‘too soon’, but you may be looking at a trio that plays together for quite a long time. And, in Los Angeles.

It’s a Show

Red-Light District: There’s been no shortage in power in Tyler Toffoli‘s game since his jump from the OHL with the Ottawa 67′s to the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs. In fact, he’s been the biggest surge on a club that’s icing a handful of NHL players among a group of AHL veterans – many of whom the Kings drafted years before Toffoli.

With 22 points in 28 games, Tyler Toffoli leads the entire Monarchs roster in scoring. This, in the form of 13 goals and nine assists. The kid’s been a menace on Manchester’s powerplay as well, tallying five goals in man-advantage situations. Toffoli’s dabbled with shorthanded success as well, potting one goal on the penalty-kill.

Cannon: Creating opportunity you say? Toffoli’s been lethal to statisticians, totaling an astounding 83 shots-on-goal in his 28 games. This is the second-highest mark on the Monarchs’ roster, only behind Vyacheslav Voynov and his 87 shots – one of the four Kings’ roster players skating with Manchester during the NHL lockout.

Now showing in NH

Say Hey

Familiar faces: As the NHL lockout wears on, four Kings players continue to skate with the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs. Andrei Loktionov, Vyacheslav Voynov, Dwight King, and Jordan Nolan are keeping the legs at-par in New Hampshire, but things haven’t gone as smooth as they did in the spring when all four were with the Kings.

The Monarchs sit at 4th-place in the AHL‘s Atlantic Division, but are only four points behind the 1st-place Portland Pirates – who they defeated Saturday night with Tyler Toffoli‘s three-goal outburst. Manchester currently holds playoff positioning, however.

How goes it?

Andrei Loktionov: GP: 20 — G: 5 — A: 12 — PTS: 17

Vyacheslav Voynov: GP: 29 — G: 6 — A: 9 — PTS: 15

Dwight King: GP: 22 — G: 5 — A: 10 — PTS: 15

Jordan Nolan: GP: 15 — G: 2 — A: 3 — PTS: 5

But numbers ain’t everything: We’ll get back to a full-swing on updates from the Manchester Monarchs and the four aforementioned Kings players very soon. Likewise, updates from Sweden with Anze Kopitar, Finland with Alec Martinez, Germany with Jonathan Bernier, and of course, Dustin Brown from Switzerland.

Bringing home dinner

Pass the butter, Thomas Hickey.

Episode 176: KingsCast Holiday Compilation – HERE
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How about that international lifestyle.

Let’s dance in France. Because afterward, the NHL‘s got a chance. Just.. maybe.

Slovenian threads don the back of Anze Kopitar these days, as he and brother Gasper Kopitar represent the country’s red, white, and blue in Lyon, France for this December’s Euro Ice Hockey Challenger. The season continues to be quite the adventure for the two brothers.

It also means the Kopitars take a break from playing in Sweden with Mora IK, also mandated by the EIHC and IIHF. Has Anze seen the last of Sweden? It could be a permanent break for the Kings’ headliner, with a possible return to Los Angeles looming in the near future.

Just don’t bet on Anze Kopitar‘s early-January return to LA quite yet. You may have better luck over at PartyCasino.com.

Reports surfaced Wednesday that a number of European clubs icing NHL players during the lockout are apparently preparing to send them back to North America in the imminent future. Gareth Chalmers, owner of British sports agency 9 Hockey Management, had some insight:

“I have been talking to a number of teams on the continent today who have NHL guys on their rosters. It seems that quite a few of them have been told by their NHL agents today, to get ready to return within the next week. One GM told me today that a contact of his in the NHL had advised that they are now looking at 2nd January restart.”

Interesting. This points to a NHL return just as 2013 rolls in. Chalmers followed with an observation of intriguing activity seen from many European clubs recently:

“It seems to be circulating around Europe as I’ve noticed a sudden increase of teams today looking for new imports. A number of European teams have some big holes to fill if the NHL does restart, some have invested heavily. Once the NHL lockout finishes, then we’ll see the true effects. Teams may struggle to find the calibre of player they want.”

This is rather conflicting information since these airwaves are coming from Europe. Meanwhile, the NHL remains in utter dysfunction sitting at a stalemate in labor negotiations on home soil. Does any of it add up? It’s tough to gauge.

You’d only feel like a fool to give in to another news-fed glimmer of hope coming from the NHL. But this could be different. It’s stemming from an odd location, and at an odd time.

Sometimes, the best things come out of nowhere. A la Kopitar.

Right side, Best side

Triglav’s Peak

At a loss: The Kopitars, along with the Slovenian National Hockey Club, suffered a horrid loss Thursday in their opening contest in this weekend’s tournament – falling 6-1 to the host country France. Anze Kopitar assisted Slovenia‘s only goal, coming off the stick of Ziga Pavlin. Anze and Gasper did not play on the same line.

Slovenia will skate with Denmark on Friday, and follow up with Latvia on Saturday. Ted Nolan, the father of the Kings’ Jordan Nolan, is Latvia‘s head coach.

Mora IK will resume regular season play on December 18 against Djurgårdens IF, and both Kopitars should be back in Sweden for the affair. Anze leads the club with 25 points in 22 games played. Gasper is 6th on the club in points, with eight to his name.

The talks in Europe shouldn’t be brushed off of your radar. There’s life to them. Why? Because it’s not coming from NHL Executives, and from a voice that makes a career handling professional hockey players lives’ in Europe.

But realize, Gareth Chalmers is also just another spectator at this point.

“Mind you I am in agreement with the people, I’ll believe it when we actually see NHL teams take to the ice for 2012/13.”

We’ve got about three weeks left until the season is entirely cancelled, folks.

Episode 175: Kardashian, Tebow, Cup – HERE
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Simon Gagné is going against the NHL‘s grain these days.

It’s got something to do with the injury-riddled veteran forward’s refreshingly positive outlook, and his well-timed stint of unemployment in the hockey business.

You won’t find any signs of a positive future inside the walls where NHL Executives and players have been brutally entangled in failed negotiations of a new labor agreement. And you surely won’t find many people taking positive effect from the league’s work stoppage.

Gagné played in just 34 regular season games in his first campaign with the Kings last year, a concussion suffered in a contest on December 26, 2011 against the Phoenix Coyotes would see Gagné sidelined for over five months until Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

This wasn’t one of Gagne’s better seasons health-wise, and he’s had quite a few run-ins with concussion-related injuries. His 34 games-played last season is his second-lowest single season total in his 12-year NHL career, only topped by his 25-game season with the Philadelphia Flyers in ’07-’08 — which was also cut short by a concussion.

When Gagné wasn’t hampered by injuries this season, he was producing. He chimed in quite well as a new addition to the Kings’ roster, notching seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Gagné was averaging .5 points per contest, which ain’t too shabby.

Head Games

Operation Comeback: Shortly after the Kings’ sealed their Stanley Cup victory on June 11, Simon Gagné underwent neck surgery. This has apparently solved a lot of Gagné’s lingering pain thought to have been caused by his head itself. The problem rooted elsewhere, and eliminating that harmful effect is just as vital to recovery.

A major part in the struggles that follow a player during the recovery from a concussion is the mental aspect, trusting your body again. That’s confidence, feeling truly 100% on the ice. With his most recent operation, Gagné has showed nothing but positive signs of full recovery, and has been skating and playing regularly during the NHL lockout.

“The mass they took out of Gagne’s neck was a tissue accumulation, caused by multiple hits he got. It was probably the reason of his chronic pain, for a long time blamed on concussions. All the tests made them realize it was, in fact, a “capsule” which could be removed without any risks. Since the surgery, the hockey player’s life changed radically.” – via Katerina Brzonova

Note the word ‘life’ in the final phrase in the quote above provided by SimonGagne.com. That means a hell of a lot more than some banal ‘physical improvement’ statement. Life is mental in many more ways than physical, this is a beautiful update for the seven-time 20-goal scorer.

You didn’t know?

Put some ice on it: It wasn’t too long after his operation that Simon Gagné was back at the rink. The native of Sainte-Foy, QC, was back on home turf in October, playing in live exhibition games against other NHL players.

It was at “La Tournée des Joueurs“, or “The Players’ Tour“, where Gagné and a slew of other locked-out players organized a month-long league to raise money for local charities, and keep the legs somewhat fresh during the lockout.

It was a battle of Montreal and Quebec City, each team compiled of NHL players from those respective cities. These rosters played each other twice a week through the month of October.

Then on November 24, Gagné participated in a wonderfully crafted event to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, playing in an exhibition game to help raise funds for relief. It was titled Operation Hat Trick and took place in Atlantic City, NJ.

The exhibition game that featured over 30 NHL players including Gagné and Kings teammate Justin Williams raised over $500,000 for hurricane recovery charities. Simon Gagné showed us some more life by potting two goals in the 16-goal affair.

Devil’s foe: If there is one concrete connection to make with Simon Gagné and the Kings’ Championship season, it’s that Gagné, who’s the all-time leading scorer against future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur, didn’t even have to record a point for the Kings to eliminate the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Put it on the board

Simon’s Shorty

Speaking of short, that could possibly sum up Gagné’s time in a Kings uniform. This NHL lockout is eating up the final year of his contract, and there is no rhyme or reason to predicating if the Kings are to re-sign him if there is no hockey at all this year.

You’re dealing with a fragile body, but one with the résumé and tools to demand a mildly hefty price.

Gagné’s best bet, and the same goes for all of us, is if the NHL resumes play in late-December.

Truthfully, that’s probably the NHL‘s last bet.

Episode 174 *The Lockout Edition* – HERE
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The Kings’ Canadian native of Ayr, Ontario will test new boundaries, and the young forward’s new-found location boasts a familiar name. But don’t let words fool you.

For Kyle Clifford, it’s off to Ontario, California.

Clifford’s new digs are just a hop and a skip away from Downtown Los Angeles and Staples Center, a friendly 40 miles East on Interstate-10. It’s home to the closest professional hockey being played during the NHL lockout for Kings fans. It’s the East Coast Hockey League, it’s a forced option these days.

So now Clifford becomes the newest member of the Ontario Reign. The ECHL is considered the NHL‘s “AA” league, if we were to put it in minor league baseball terms. The “E” is a clear-cut level under the AHL in most facets, and comparable to many of Europe’s professional leagues. Skill wise, at least.

The ECHL is well-known for it’s gritty, physical, body-intuitive style of play. Oh, and there’s fights aplenty.

Kyle Clifford is known for his gritty, physical, body-intuitive style of play, and he fights aplenty. Something tells me this could be an enjoyable chapter in the young Kings’ forward’s career.

Cliff-Hanging

When the Kings drafted Kyle Clifford in the 2nd-round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, Quebec, he was signed and playing with the OHL‘s Barrie Colts.

Clifford made just one other stop before making his astounding and immediate jump to the NHL. This came with the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs for a quick seven games during the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs. This short stint followed his third and final season with the Barrie Colts.

Since then, it’s been NHL-play and a Kings uniform on Clifford’s back.

As soon as Clifford hit the NHL scene, it was apparent there was little looking back. In his debut campaign with the Kings during the 2010-2011 season, Clifford chimed in beautifully in 76 regular season games for a 3rd/4th-line forward. Along with his seven goals and seven assists for 14 points, Clifford introduced us to his enforcer side with a whopping 141 penalty minutes.

In the Kings’ Western Conference Quarterfinals match-up with the San Jose Sharks in 2011, Clifford was an absolute horse – arguably one of the best players in the series. Clifford buried three goals, helped with two assists, and notched seven penalty minutes – in just six games.

Clifford didn’t disappoint this past season, but he didn’t show much progress stats-wise. In 81 regular season games, Clifford recorded five goals and seven assists for 12 points, and piled up another 123 penalty minutes. All of these numbers are down from his rookie season.

But then again, growth, especially for a young player such as Clifford, comes in many more ways than the stat-sheet shows. Numbers aren’t always the telling-tale.

The Kings have undoubtedly struck some value in Clifford’s presence, who’s unpolished talents have graced this roster — and it’s playing style, in just that form – unpolished. And that’s when he’s at his best, which is something special for a player to behold.

You can’t restructure a player’s style, you can’t change a player’s role, but you can certainly instill a system that puts their natural attributes to their absolute best use.

The Kings, in their development of Kyle Clifford, have done so — so far.

Clifford’s Corner

In your Kitchen: It’s worth noting (not really) that there are four (4) Romano’s Macaroni Grill locations within 20 miles of Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario. The fisticuffs with hapless minor league ECHL journeymen Clifford is bound to get into with is going to call for a few of those hearty pre-game meals.

Just like home, eh?

Still Closed: In league-wide news, Gary Bettman and the NHL have now officially canceled all previously scheduled contests through December 14. This, including the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, which was to be hosted on January 27 in Columbus, Ohio.

Your thoughts?

The Colonel’s in town: Kyle Clifford will make his ECHL debut tonight as a member of the Ontario Reign. This evening’s contest is scheduled to see puck-drop at 7:15PM at the Cow Palace in San Francisco against their division-foe San Francisco Bulls.

The Reign, who go into tonight’s dance with 15 games played so far, are making noise in the ECHL among Clifford’s arrival. They’re holding an attractive record that sits at 11-4-0 for 22 points. This positions the Reign at the top of the Pacific Division, and in a three-way tie for first-place in the entire Western Conference.

If not tonight, expect Clifford to drop the mitts soon. Fists fly in the ECHL like the scene’s on turf in a poorly-secured prison field.

A new league means new tricks. May I suggest adopting the ‘Inglewood Jack‘?

We’re not at the Forum, anymore

Another player gone elsewhere, another day.

It’s a tough go, these days.

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Los Angeles should be hosting a game of puck Thursday night.

Previously planned, however. Thursday’s arrangements have been panned for some time now.

The NHL continues it’s downward swirl of self-destruction, as league revenue and the game itself threatens to dissipate into complete oblivion for the 2012-2013 season. It’s preposterous.

The Kings should be 12 games into their campaign to date, and are currently supposed to be entering a hospitable swing of contests that would see them play in California confines for the next five dates. The Columbus Blue Jackets should be the foe making way to Staples Center Thursday night.

Speaking of should be, it sums up the NHL.

So, like many players have, we’ll export current analysis to an international landscape. The Kings currently have eight players from last season’s roster playing hockey elsewhere during the NHL lockout – nine if you want to include Jonathan Quick‘s name.

The AHL happenings for Kings players in Manchester, New Hampshire are covered here.

Anze Kopitar, the first Kings player to find work in Europe, has been skating in Sweden. Soon after his move, Alec Martinez made a move to Finland, and backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier fled to Germany.

Then of course there’s Dustin Brown, who reported to Zurich, Switzerland late last week. If Brown’s stint in Zurich lasts longer than a couple of weeks, expect it to be a lengthy stay for the Kings’ Captain.

The only thing lengthy happening on North American soil is the NHL‘s current state of turmoil.

Exports from the Pacific’s shore

—————————————————————————-

Dustin Brown – #23

Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions
National League A – Switzerland
GP: 1 — G: 1 — A: 0 — PTS: 1 — PIM: 4

Debut Dustin: Brown’s started all right for himself in Zurich. Dustin Brown is the latest King to commit to playing overseas, and arrived in Switzerland just one week ago. Brown dressed in his first game for the ZSC Lions last night, playing on the club’s second-line at the Right Wing position. Brown played alongside Jeff Tambellini, who was the Kings’ first-round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

In his opening contest, Brown and the ZSC Lions suffered a 5-3 loss after holding an early two goal lead. Brown tallied Zurich’s third goal of the contest, but they would allow four unanswered markers. Zurich is currently in second place in the 12-team Division holding a 22-12-9 record. Brown’s next game is tabbed for Friday.

Brown’s Debut Goal | 11-13-12

—————————————————————————-

Alec Martinez – #27

Turun Palloseura Turku
SM-liiga – Finland
GP: 11 — G: 1 — A: 1 — PTS: 2 — PIM: 8

Marty’s Down: Reports surfaced Tuesday that Alec Martinez was hospitalized after taking a puck to the face. A slapshot in fact, off the stick of Juha Leimu. Facial damage doesn’t seem to be a major concern, but there is a chance Martinez suffered some sort of concussion. Martinez has been a solid, as expected, addition to TPS Turku. However, he hasn’t been able to improve the club’s lack of success this season. TPS Turku continues to sit at 13th place in the 14-team division, exactly where they were when Martinez hopped on board. They’re struggling with just 22 points, and find themselves seven points behind the club that maintains the league’s final playoff position.

A moment of glory was to be had before Martinez’s accident, of course. Martinez potted a game-winning goal in OT on November 1st, breaking ground in a scoreless tie and sending fans home after putting Karpat Oulu to rest. A beautiful snap-shot across his body it was.

Marty’s OT-winning Goal | 11-1-12

—————————————————————————-

Jonathan Bernier – #45

Heilbronn Falken
Second Bundesliga – Germany
GP: 7 — W: / — L: / — GA: 2.83 — S%: /

Back up, now: This guy may have been missing hockey last season more than us fans are during the current lockout. Well, in a “getting a chance to play” type of way. Jonathan Bernier has logged 424 minutes in the crease for Heilbronn, this in a combined seven games started. Bernier has been in Germany for just about four weeks, and he’s already almost halfway to his total mark of 890 minutes for the Kings last season. That, may you note, in a nine-month, 82-game span.

Although Bernier has downgraded his level of competition in playing away from the NHL, his GAA has jumped a bit in comparison to last season. Bernier is allowing just under three goals per game at 2.83, a steep climb from his 2.36 in Los Angeles last season. Albeit, it’s only been seven games. For Bernier, it’s the consistent live action that really matters.

Montage from Manchester

—————————————————————————-

Anze Kopitar – #11

Mora IK
Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan – Sweden
GP: 13 – G: 4 — A: 11 — PTS: 15 – PIM: 6

Kopi’s all right: As expected, Anze Kopitar is doing quite well for himself in Sweden. You better believe he’s having the same effect on the Mora IK club as a whole. This is a different experience for Kopitar, it provides a mentor role with his brother Gasper on a roster that holds a younger group. It’s more about the experience for Kopitar right now – while of course keeping tabs on his skills. Those skills have been warmly welcomed by the Tier-II division Mora IK, as Kopitar is averaging more than one point per contest. In 13 games, Kopitar has racked up four goals and 11 assists for 15 points.

Gasper Kopitar isn’t being shut out of Mora IK‘s scene by Anze’s limelight, though. The younger brother has four goals and four assists adding to a respectably stocky total of eight points to his name in 15 games played.

Even with the Kopitar brothers, Mora IK finds itself in the bottom half of HockeyAllsvenskan‘s standings. They currently sit at eighth place in the 14-team league with 31 points, just one point shy of the seventh-place club, which holds the final postseason slot.

Sweden with Style| 10-3-12

Staples Center will sit empty Thursday evening, as hockey escapes the Stanley Cup‘s home for yet another night.

And from the looks of it, it might be mentally beneficial to expect that for a while.

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There’s always work to be done on the farm.

If it isn’t the development of young prospects, the AHL‘s a place for those newly-proven names to continue to progress when the NHL won’t allow it.

It’s the minor leagues, and it’s lockout-haven. Other than Europe, of course.

Many names from the Kings’ roster have taken refuge to Manchester, New Hampshire to stay in action in the American Hockey League during the NHL‘s current lockout.

The Kings have added another name to their list of assignments to Manchester. Goaltender Jonathan Quick will make an unlikely return to play hockey in the Granite State, although on an extremely limited basis.

The Manchester Monarchs have played eight regular season games so far this season, and are sitting pretty with a 5-2-0-1 record, tabbing them in first place position in the AHL‘s Atlantic Division.

Head Coach Mark Morris has continued his thriving success at the helm of Manchester’s bench, dressing not just a winning team – but an extremely disciplined one at that. The Monarchs are second-best in the AHL with only 118 penalty minutes, only behind the Milwaukee Admirals and their mark of 108.

As for their winning ways, the Monarchs have done so in maintaining success in close contests. Through the first eight contests, the Monarchs are averaging just under three goals per game, and are allowing just under two goals per game. That ratio certainly holds the recipe for success.

Martin Jones has been pleasantly solid between the pipes for the Monarchs. Jones has started and played in all eight contests for Manchester, allowing just 13 goals in total, while tossing two shutouts into the mix.

Jordan Nolan, Andrei Loktionov, Vyacheslav Voynov, and Dwight King have been playing in Manchester during the lockout, here’s a quick look into how each is faring.

Where you came from

Jordan Nolan #71

Not like Jordan: Nolan has had an unfortunate season thus far, or lack thereof. The Kings’ feisty left-winger has only appeared in one game for Manchester this season. In their opening contest in Rhode Island against the Providence Bruins, Nolan was injured in a fight against the Bruins’ Bobby Robins. Nolan reportedly suffered from a broken finger, and is expected to sit out a few more games. The Garden River, Ontario native exploded into the NHL scene last season, coupling with Dwight King to provided a bigger, more physical presence to the Kings’ offensive tandem. Nolan played in 26 regular season games for the Kings last season, chiming in with two goals, two assists, and 58 hits.

Andrei Loktionov #48

Andrei’s hot: After getting snubbed from the Kings’ Stanley Cup trophy engraving, Loktionov has kept his attention on playing good hockey – and it’s shown early on in Manchester this season. Loktionov is the second-highest scoring forward on the Monarchs roster with three goals and three assists for six points. Andrei hasn’t been shy to pull the trigger either, like we’ve seen in many of his NHL appearances. Loktionov has fired off 18 shots in seven games, which ranks fourth on the club. Loktionov, however, is getting the luxury of playing in his natural position at center in Manchester, something he’s been unable to do consistently when in a Kings uniform.

Vyacheslav Voynov #26

Slava’s house: Voynov has been a horse on the Monarchs’ blue-line this season, continuing to build on the promising skill and intelligence he’s shown first-hand in Los Angeles. He’s clearly shown an offensive knack in his defensive game, and has carried it over and further developed it in his return to Manchester. Voynov has tallied two goals and two assists in eight contests, but his shot-total (23) is what really stands out. Voynov will rarely score on a shot from the point, but he’s got the smarts to put the puck on net – to both ease pressure on the blue-line, and to create scoring and rebound opportunities.

Dwight King #74

Down from the throne: King was a late addition to the Monarchs roster, he wasn’t assigned until October 19th. In the four games King has played, he’s recorded two assists. King is continuing to make use of the lethal shot the NHL world was introduced to last season, ripping off over three shots per game with Manchester. His size and physical presence have continued to bode well also, King carrying a dependable +2 rating to his name. King has continued to play with a high-level of discipline, much like the entire Monarchs’ roster, and has stayed out of the penalty box. His partner in crime, Jordan Nolan, could’ve used that approach.

Safety Net

Not so Quick: For the Kings’ undrafted goaltending prospect Martin Jones, the 2012-2013 campaign has started out extremely well. Jones has started all eight games for the Monarchs, and is flying high with a 5-2-0-1 record attained by a flashy 1.62 GAA and .939 save percentage.

For a moment, the 22 year-old Jones saw his spectacular run in the Monarchs’ crease become quite threatened by the return of Jonathan Quick, who was reportedly allowed to re-join the Monarchs’ roster because of the nature and timing of his back injury.

Well, not the case. Jonathan Quick is only allowed to practice and train with the Monarchs per clarified NHL guidelines. Quite frankly, this is probably a better suit for Quick, who doesn’t want to push things too far coming off of minor, but complicated back surgery.

And, well, its a sigh of relief for Martin Jones, who survives amidst his own success in an organization that is extremely heavy in the goaltending depth chart.

Jonesin’ for Success

Touché, Martin Jones, touché.

And the Vancouver, British Columbia native does it all in the Canadian Heritage Night uni’s. A shutout performance if you will.

The Monarchs’ next contest is scheduled to be played Wednesday evening in Newfoundland, Canada against the St. John’s IceCaps. The IceCaps sit just one point behind the Monarchs in the Atlantic Division, holding a 5-6-0-0 record that accounts for 10 points in the standings.

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And this ain’t no skiing trip.

Considering the hodgepodge of a mess the NHL finds itself in, today’s move could be the start of another wallop of players heading overseas. It’s a live look at the sport in a downward swirl of unneeded destruction – yet again.

By Saturday, the NHL is expected to axe the 2013 Winter Classic.

And it very well may be the kiss of death to any possibility of the NHL restarting operations this season.

The most recent Kings export is Dustin Brown, who has confirmed his planned departure to Switzerland on November 7th to play hockey. Brown has agreed to terms with the Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions, better known as the ZSC Lions.

The Lions play in National League A in the Swiss pro hockey stage, which is top-level talent in the country. This league is quite popular among NHL players; Brown joins three other NHL players already on the Lions’ roster: Tampa Bay’s Ryan Shannon, Vancouver’s Jeff Tambellini, and Toronto’s Matt Lashoff.

Downtown Brown

If the Kings’ Captain plays anything like he did through the final four and a half months of last season, they’re in good hands in Zurich, Switzerland.

Dustin Brown wasn’t just good, he was an absolute menace. After overcoming his season-lingering struggles once his name was dangled at the February trade-deadline, Brown went on a tirade. A serious tirade – offensively, physically, in every facet.

In the Kings’ quick 20-game run to the Stanley Cup, Brown chimed in with a package that included eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. He also led the Kings with three game-winning goals, and included three shorthanded goals into the entire mix.

That’s filthy. And it’s unfortunate that he’s had to take his talents elsewhere.

Now it’s off to Switzerland for Brown, who joins a ZSC Lions club that is doing quite well for itself in the early stages of their season. Through 20 games, Zurich is in second place among the 12-team division.

Brown will also join his former coach in Marc Crawford, who heads the bench in Zurich. Crawford coached the Kings, and Brown, for two seasons between 2006 and 2008.

There’s a solid chance that Dustin Brown will spend the entirety of the hockey season in Switzerland, seeing that there are absolutely no signs to the NHL’s owners and the Player’s Association coming to a collective bargaining agreement to salvage any of the 2012-2013 season.

As for the other seven Kings players putting in time elsewhere during the lockout, there will be updates here from Finland, Sweden, and Germany early next week. Dustin Brown will not play in a ZSC Lions uniform until November 14th.

Oh, and of course we’ll catch up with the happenings in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Because, well, no one’s coming home just yet.

King Captain

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They take a step back, so you’ve got to take a step back.

This is no demotion for Dwight King, in fact it’s far from it. In comparison to what the NHL is going through right now, you mine as well consider this a promotion.

If yesterday’s string of events has left you tongue-tied, which with many it has, don’t let today’s transaction do the same.

After his phenomenal jump to Los Angeles last season, you would never have pictured Dwight King making a return to the friendly confines of Manchester, New Hampshire – for hockey purposes, at least.

However, as the lockout continues, and with the NHL officially cancelling all games through November 1st, that’s exactly where King finds himself, with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

Thursday saw a possible opportunity for the Kings to punch plane tickets from Europe back to Southern California for Anze Kopitar, Alec Martinez, and Jonathan Bernier.

Instead of welcoming those Kings exports home, they’re staying put in their respective international landscapes, and Dwight King becomes the seventh player to find playing time elsewhere during the NHL lockout.

ManchVegas – Where the show’s at

In his return to Manchester, Dwight King will also be returning to play alongside three familiar teammates from last year’s Stanley Cup run. Jordan Nolan, Vyacheslav Voynov, and Andrei Loktionov are the other three Kings players to fill their hockey void elsewhere during the NHL lockout.

Jordan Nolan is out for a few weeks with a broken finger, which was injured in a fight in the Monarchs’ season opener in Providence, Rhode Island.

Vyacheslav Voynov went pointless in his first two contests back in Manchester, but tallied an assist in Friday night’s home opener. Voynov has carried over his offensive knack and physical play from last season, adding four shots and eight hits to his stat-line.

Andrei Loktionov has been the standout of the group thus far, notching a goal and an assist, all while leading the entire Monarchs’ roster in shots on goal. Loktionov’s goal came in shorthanded fashion, the first and only of that kind this season for Manchester.

The Manchester Monarchs have started their season with a 2-1-0 record, dropping their first game Friday night to the Providence Bruins in their home opening contest at Verizon Wireless Arena. It is unclear when Dwight King is supposed to make his return to the Monarchs’ lineup, but they have a date slated for Saturday night at home against the Portland Pirates.

If not, he’ll certainly be in action a week from Saturday (Oct. 27) in New Hampshire against the Worcester Sharks.

And when the Kings are back, King’ll be back. We’re talking one of the most valuable players from the Kings’ Stanley Cup run. He, along with counterpart Jordan Nolan, reestablished an identity to the Kings’ offense, one that struck Darryl Sutter and the entire club as a whole in dominant fashion.

Funny thing is, King and Nolan were Manchester, NH citizens the majority of last hockey season.

Don’t call it full circle.

King’s Key

In Manchester, Dwight’s All Right

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For a player that asked for a trade back in July, he’s found a situation that fits the transition he was seeking in that request.

Albeit, he’s still with the Kings — contractually. But, he’s finding what he truly wanted in inquiring for that trade.

Queue the playing time, and queue a starting role for Jonathan Bernier.

It’s the NHL lockout at it’s best. Kind of.

Bernier is doing things Deutschland style during the NHL lockout, agreeing to terms with Heilbronn Falken of the German Elite League‘s second division. For a player that struggled to find playing time while the NHL was functioning, this is an extremely validated move for both Bernier and the Kings.

Life can’t be easy being Jonathan Quick‘s backup, especially if you’re a highly-touted prospect such as Bernier, who was drafted by the Kings as the 11th overall selection in the 1st Round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver.

Bernier has found very little opportunity to prove himself in the NHL since being drafted by the Kings’ organization. The previous two seasons have seen Bernier tabbed as the Kings’ full-time backup goaltender, yet he’s only made a total of 41 appearances.

When it comes to labeling “easy” in the life of an NHL goaltender, less appearances certainly doesn’t fit the identity. For Bernier, he’s averaged an appearance in one out of every four regular season games the past two seasons, without a snippet of postseason action to boot. When you’re talking difficult, you’re talking shouldering expectations to play your absolute finest on a tumultuous and inconsistent schedule – which Bernier’s dealt with.

If there’s a position that demands consistent action to prove your worth in the NHL, that position would be a goaltender. Bernier’s time has been slender.

Signed, sealed, delivered

There are hefty shoes to fill for Jonathan Bernier in Germany, as both of Heilbronn Falken‘s goaltenders, Kevin Nastiuk and Dominec Bartels are down with injuries. To add to it, Bernier is joining the third place team in the compact 13-club division.

“We had to act quickly after the injuries to (goalies) Kevin Nastiuk and Domenic Bartels,” coach Rico Rossi told the Toronto Sun. “So the NHL lockout came at just the right time because it is not every day that you can attract such a star to Heilbronn.”

Bernier made his debut Friday night, but did so in losing fashion to the Fischtown Penguins, losing 4-2. Only three goals were allowed by Bernier, but an empty-net tally was added by Fischtown with just :33 seconds remaining in the contest.

The next start for Jonathan Bernier in a Heilbronn Falken uniform is slated for Wednesday against the Ravenburg Tower Stars. A good game it should be, Ravenburg is riding Heilbronn’s tail, sitting just one point in the standings behind Bernier’s new club.

And if it isn’t rust Bernier exposed on Friday, maybe he can shake off those first-game jitters come Wednesday.

Bernie playing it cool

We’ll be seein’ you

Until then, Bern, baby, Bern.

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And they continue to flee Los Angeles in search of hockey.

What was the marquee location for the NHL‘s most prominent stage just under five months ago, L.A. joins the league’s 29 other cities in the lonely void of cancelled games, empty arenas, and a disturbed fanbase. It’s the lockout.

The players, however, are able to take personal hockey matters into their own hands, as we’ve seen with Anze Kopitar and a slew of other names around the league. When something is taken from you, it’s gut-instinct to go and find it elsewhere.

Look to Europe, because over there, hockey’s still in business.

Alec Martinez is now the second Kings player to take his game overseas during the work stoppage. The Michigan native solidified a roster spot with the Kings this past season in his third NHL stint. Beside an upper-body injury that hampered Martinez early in the season, he became a valued asset on the Kings’ blue-line.

In 51 regular season games, Martinez chimed in with six goals and six assists for 12 points. He played in all 20 postseason games, and was arguably the best player on the ice in the Kings’ Stanley Cup-clinching Game six victory.

We’re talking business

Alec Martinez will do some exploring in Finland, tossing a bit of hockey into the mix as well. First reported by Mayors Manor, Martinez has signed a contract with HC TPS Turku Oy in Finland’s SM-Liiga.

Unlike how Anze Kopitar accepted a downgrade in skill and competition to play with his brother, Gasper in Sweden, Alec Martinez is keeping his competition at a high level.

The SM-Liiga is Finland’s top-tier level of professional hockey, and is recognized as being Europe’s second-best professional league.

Martinez’s new club will surely welcome his help, as TPS Turku finds itself at rock-bottom in the standings of the 14-team league. The struggling team has had a rough start to their season, losing five games in regulation, two games in overtime, and winning just two contests in overtime.

Much like goal scoring was a problem for the Kings last season, Martinez is entering the same fray with TPS Turku. They’re struggling to find the net right now, averaging an exact 2 goals per game, which is also in the league’s basement (dead last) in the scoring category.

Martinez may not be the solution to TPS Turku‘s scoring woes, but he’ll be a great addition at his natural position. Defense? They’re struggling in that category as well, in the bottom third of the league in goals allowed.

Keeping in Check

Marty in Montreal

Give us your best “Lockout face”.

That one’s all right.

We can work with that.

And when the NHL decides to get back to work, we’ll have to party. Thrown in the mix, and en route from Finland, will be Marty.

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Show me you love me. Put my name on it.

Andrei Loktionov has the longest name on the Kings’ Stanley Cup-winning roster.

A whopping 15 letters if you can count; And his name, they’re counting that out.

The seasoned prospect out of Voskresensk, Russia, who has played in three separate stints with the Kings, contributed moderately to this year’s franchise accomplishment, skating in 39 regular season games, along with two appearances in the playoffs.

The harsh decision to leave Loktionov out of the 52 (now 53) Stanley Cup trophy name engravement list had nothing to do with his lengthy name, or the number of games he played. Loktionov was a mere two games short of the NHL‘s minimum requirement of regular season games played (41) to guarantee a spot for his name on the Stanley Cup.

Two other skaters who fell short of the 41 game requirement, however, were given the honor of having their names etched onto the Stanley Cup trophy.

Kevin Westgarth appeared in just 25 regular season games, 14 less than Loktionov, and his name graces the Cup. Davis Drewiske only dressed in nine regular season games for the Kings, 30 less than Loktionov, and has his name etched onto the trophy as well.

The reasoning for this, which Rich Hammond hinted at, is most likely due to Westgarth and Drewiske’s strong and positive presence off the ice, in the locker room. This is something I could definitely see and believe.

Apparently, the Kings had the opportunity to petition to the NHL to have Loktionov’s name inscribed. Hammond broke the news that the Kings didn’t even make an attempt to do so.

They write checks

Corporate Perks: The other issue here, and the one that seems to be the most bothersome to many fans including myself, are the list of non-player names to be included in the Kings’ newly etched spot on the Stanley Cup trophy.

Fourteen names from ownership, five names from coaching staff, six names from the scouting department, and four names from the training staff were included. That’s 29 total names, roster players aside, yet there’s no room for Andrei Loktionov.

The group of names dedicated to ownership is usually the most disgusting list to grace the Stanley Cup trophy. Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs did his best to make a mockery of the Bruins’ engravings last season, including his three children on the list.

That’s horrible. There’s no place for that, especially when players are kicked to the side.

We’re not at the dinner table, here. Separate family from work, and do so with respect.

Kings’ owner Philip Anschutz, who just put the team up for sale along with his entire AEG Enterprise, didn’t go as far as Jeremy Jacobs, but he did include his wife, Nancy Anschutz, to the Kings engravings this year.

The sport of hockey exemplifies teamwork to the utmost degree, it builds camaraderie rarely seen or experienced elsewhere. Every player matters, and every player must have a selfless side if they plan on being a successful pro hockey player.

Andrei Loktionov dedicated more time, effort, and struggle to play with this club than 39 regular season game appearances can begin to justify. And he did so away from his natural position, call it a double whammy.

That’s why this is so bothersome; and without hesitation, I can strongly express my distaste for Nancy Anschutz‘s name gracing the Stanley Cup ahead of Andrei Loktionov.

I’ll stop there.

Put it in writing, won’t you

The full list of names, via Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: HERE

Andrei the — but wait

Other Omissions: Three players and a former coach have also been negated from Stanley Cup trophy engravement.

Trent Hunter: Put on waivers and sent to the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs on February 17, Hunter played in just 38 games with the Kings, putting up two goals and five assists for seven points.

Ethan Moreau: Put on waivers by the Kings on December 9, but Moreau instead decided to end his pro hockey career. Moreau played in 28 games for the Kings, potting a goal and three assists.

Scott Parse: Parse, still struggling with a hip injury, played in just nine games for the Kings this season. His final contest of the season came on November 8. He totaled two goals in his quick appearance.

Terry Murray: The former coach, who led the Kings through 275 games and two playoff appearances over four seasons, is another controversial name that was axed. Murray was fired on December 12th.

Andrei Loktionov: Is not good at interviews. This is wonderfully uncomfortable. (Below)

Lokt and Loaded

Contrary to recent reports that claimed Andrei Loktionov was to head home to Russia and sign with a Kontinental Hockey League club during the NHL lockout, the Kings’ young forward prospect reported to Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday.

Loktionov, for now at least, will spend his NHL lockout playing with the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs.

Nobody said life was fair. For Andrei Loktionov, the hockey world has hit the kid with some humbling circumstances, just after he played a role in achieving the sport’s most glorious goal.

It’s politics, and it’s the life of pro hockey.

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It’s all in the family. Call the duo the ‘Slovenian set’.

The Kopitar tandem is now featured in Sweden.

A plethora of Kings players are expected to explore European destinations to play hockey away from Los Angeles for the duration of the NHL‘s lockout. Anze Kopitar has issued the club’s first international transition.

Kopitar is now in somewhat unfamiliar territory, but reunited with an extremely familiar face.

Call it a family reunion, because Anze Kopitar will be playing on the same team as his brother, Gasper Kopitar. The Kopitar brothers will be skating for Mora IK of the Swedish Hockey Allsvenskan league.

This is second-tier pro hockey in Sweden, but the Elitserien, or better known as the Swedish Elite League, is not allowed to sign NHL players to contracts during the lockout. Anze Kopitar began his pro career in Sweden playing in the SEL with Sodertalje SK for two seasons.

This will be Gasper Kopitar‘s first season playing in Sweden. Gasper has been involved in the North American hockey landscape for three years now. An undrafted player out of Jesenice, Slovenia, this will be the first pro hockey Gasper will have played in his young career.

Gasper Kopitar spent short stints of two seasons with the WHL‘s Portland Winterhawks. In 12 games, Gasper recorded one goal. The younger brother then went on to play in the USHL for two seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers, where he unloaded for a combined 36 goals and 27 assists.

As for Anze’s backdrop, we’re all familiar with the better of it. This will be a heavy downgrade in skill and competition for the Stanley Cup Champion, but it’s about as perfect of a fit you can ask for during such dark times in the NHL.

He gets to play hockey, he gets to do so alongside his brother.

And most importantly, he’s guaranteed to be back in Los Angeles when NHL-play resumes.

Kopitar, or Kopitars if you will, are expected to play together for Mora IK as early as this weekend.

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And so it begins, but it’s a major step back.

It’s another lockout for the National Hockey League, another lockout under commissioner Gary Bettman. In Bettman’s 19 seasons at the helm of the NHL‘s operations, this is now the third time the league has undergone a work stoppage.

It began before the 1994-’95 season, it landed again in 2004-’05, and it comes back to haunt us in 2012- ?

Things were made official at 9:00PM PST Saturday night, but anyone coherent to the sport knew of the demise to come on Thursday afternoon, after the owners and players left negotiations, yet again, with contradictions that seem to threaten NHL-play for months to come.

They’re talking money, and we’re getting robbed.

The Granite State

Manchester Bound: One of the most important aspects to cover during a lockout is to keep players active, keep them playing. For the Kings, they had three players on last year’s active roster who were eligible to be assigned to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League without having to clear waivers.

Those three players are Andrei Loktionov, Vyacheslav Voynov, and Jordan Nolan.

Loktionov played 32 games with the Monarchs last season, notching five goals and 15 assists for 20 points before being called up for his third stint with the Kings. In a Los Angeles uniform, Loktionov chimed in with three goals and four assists in 39 regular season games.

Voynov had a breakout season in his NHL debut, which saw him tally eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 54 games in a Kings uniform. However, Voynov began last season in Manchester, where he potted two goals and two assists for four points in 15 contests.

Nolan spent the majority of last season with the Monarchs, playing in 40 games while chipping in with nine goals and thirteen assists. Nolan was a pleasant surprise when called up with Dwight King, providing consistency on the third and fourth lines. Nolan recorded two goals and two assists in 26 games, along with 28 penalty minutes.

Just looking to skate

Open Ice: It’s not uncommon to seek a roster spot overseas in Europe during a lockout. For players, not only does it open up more money, but more importantly, it keeps the body and mind active for the anticipated return to the NHL.

The Kings have 22 players from last season’s active roster who have no other choice but to explore the international landscape if they want to play hockey on a regular basis during this lockout. Chances are, most, if not all of these players, will wait out the first leg of the work stoppage without playing to make up for their extended 2011-’12 season and celebratory offseason.

Dustin Brown has fielded offers to play in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League and Switzerland’s Swiss Elite League. There’s some outsourcing to be done – that’s for sure.

There are five Kings players who can play within the country and join the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs, but would have to clear waivers first. Those are Andrew Campbell, Marc-Andre Cliche, Richard Clune, Thomas Hickey, and Jake Muzzin.

Clune and Muzzin are the only two from that group to have seen time in a Kings uniform.

Don’t expect to see anyone in a Kings uniform anytime soon, because unfortunately, the reality of what this world exists on is hitting hockey fans yet again.

That’s money, honey.

All about the Benjamins

We’ll see you in Manchester

In New Hampshire, the State slogan is “Live free or die”.

For the NHL, it’s “pay to play”.

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