.

#Five

“Bern baby Burn“

The Kings have been extremely fortunate to have a solid second option in Jonathan Bernier for the past three seasons. His senses and abilities are good enough to be the first option almost anywhere else in the NHL.

Jonathan Bernier has been a highly touted prospect in the Kings’ organization since being selected in the 1st round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he’s subsided to the consistent and stellar play of Jonathan Quick, spending most of his time with the Kings on the bench.

This past season was a different story, however. With Jonathan Quick coming off of back surgery over the summer, and a season in which he played in 89 NHL games, the Kings were sure to need to utilize their backup asset to not only keep Quick rested, but ensure he remained healthy.

Bernier played savior in that role, starting 12 games for the Kings with an excellent 9-1-0 record when getting the starting nod from Darryl Sutter. He played in 14 games overall, relieving Jonathan Quick on two occasions, posting an overall record of 9-3-1 with a .922 SV% and 1.87 GAA.

He was finally cut loose from his shell, and he met the expectations that the hype built around his name since being drafted seven years ago. This was good in more than one way for the Kings. For one, he kept the crease stabilized with stalwart play when Quick was out of the net, and it helps our cause with his imminent departure from Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

His final impression in a Kings uniform gave Jonathan Quick the opportunity to come back slowly, safely, and most of all, healthily.

And he did it performance-wise in a fashion that never really made you miss Jonathan Quick.

And that, folks, is hard to do.

Jonathan Bernier, in fact, saved the regular season for the Kings, and did it so very subtly.

The #45 Jive

Doing it Live

How we’ll miss this amazing track during a stoppage of play at Staples Center after a huge Jonathan Bernier save.

Bern baby Burn

Bernier Talks

Jonathan Bernier is a Restricted Free Agent this summer, and it’s only a matter of time until he flees Los Angeles for a starting job with another NHL club. He’s looking for serious pay, top-tier playing time, and he’s going to get it somewhere.

The Kings simply cannot afford him. He’s seen his final days in Los Angeles.

Dean Lombardi has reportedly talked to 10 NHL clubs in the past week regarding the dealings of Bernier. Bernier fired his agent on Monday, so there’s absolutely nothing lighthearted about his next array of actions to put himself where he wants to be, and for how much money.

You’d be a fool, however, not to commemorate the effort and performances he put forth for the Kings this past season.

#TopTen

#TEN – “Lasorda snubs Johnson“

#NINE – “Kopitar’s got Wings“

#EIGHT - “Hats-Off for Carter“

#SEVEN - “Calgary for Two“

#SIX – “Retiring in Style“

#FIVE – “Jonathan Berni-Hey”

#FOUR -

We’re in offseason form like a back-up goaltender training in hopes of more playing time. Stick with us here at KingsCast as we begin the final countdown on the Kings’ #TopTen moments of the 2012-2013 campaign.

Episode 204 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 5 WCF RECAP – HERE
2012 VS 2013: An EXCLUSIVE KingsCast TV Digital Short – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
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#Six

“Purple  days  daze”

The Kings broke ties with a chapter of the organization’s aesthetic history on March 19th, ditching the color scheme that’s emblazoned their uniforms since 1998, and the template they’ve donned since 2002.

Since November of 2009, when the current home uniform was introduced as an alternate sweater, the team has been slowly developing into making that modernized design their primary look. They did so officially prior to the start of the 2011-2012 season, introducing a white version to compliment a fully-clothed home and road set.

The purple and black crown hemline jerseys remained as the Kings’ third (alternate) uniform until March of this past season.

It was a two-day, two-game stretch at Staples Center against the Phoenix Coyotes that sent this rather unfortunate image of the franchise off forever.

The Kings even brewed together a huge sale for the affair.

Liquidation Station

Did you need that XXL white/purple blank away jersey that still has the folds from sitting in a box for four years, or that old ass thing that has Bailey’s picture on it?

That sale was a f*cking joke.

How do you fool willing minds into a store full of willing items?

A lot of new merchandise was sold that night.

On March 18th, the Kings beat the Coyotes 4-0, and the day after on March 19th, they beat Phoenix 3-2. Both times in purple, and the last time you’ll see it.

Here’s how they looked

Things couldn’t have looked better in local confines heading into the game that would see this organization say it’s farewell to a symbol and design that’s been a regular sight on home ice at Staples Center for so many years.

When the old brings in the new

Tyler Toffoli, who played his second career NHL game in the Kings’ purple crown hemline sweaters, recorded his first career NHL goal in the Kings’ now-defunct look.

One door closes while another opens.

Crowning Moment

Lighting that Fire

Drew Doughty would finally break his scoring drought on the Kings’ final night in the purple crown hemline sweaters on March 19th against the Phoenix Coyotes, tallying his first goal of the 2012-2013 season, and his first goal in 28 games.

Purple Attire

Bernt Out

First and Last

Jonathan Bernier started in the crease for the Kings’ final appearance in their purple crown hemline sweaters, making a whopping 40 saves against the Phoenix Coyotes on March 19th at Staples Center to fuel a 3-2 victory for the Kings.

September 29, 2007

Ironically so, Jonathan Bernier was the first Kings goaltender to start a game in purple crown hemline sweater, if we’re talking the Reebok Edge era style of uniforms. Bernier started the Kings’ opening game of the 2007-2008 season against the Anaheim Ducks during the 2007 NHL Premiere in London, England.

This was the first season the NHL adopted the current Reebok Edge uniform style, which changed many teams’ uniform templates, even if just slightly.

Jonathan Bernier, who’s appearances in a Kings uniform are most certainly few and far between, happened to be in the crease for the first and last struts of this unique hockey sweater.

Stoll and Out

Jarret Stoll is your last goal-scorer in this chapter of Kings aesthetics.

No uniform in the league looks better than that shot though. What a way to send ‘em off.

#TopTen

#TEN – “Lasorda snubs Johnson“

#NINE – “Kopitar’s got Wings“

#EIGHT - “Hats-Off for Carter“

#SEVEN - “Calgary for Two“

#SIX – “Retiring in Style”

We’re halfway there. And of course, the best is yet to come. Keep us company here at KingsCast for the final countdown of the Kings’ top moments of the 2012-2013 season.

Episode 204 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 5 WCF RECAP – HERE
2012 VS 2013: An EXCLUSIVE KingsCast TV Digital Short – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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#Seven

“Flame-out at Staples”

The Kings, like all NHL clubs, had quite the quirky schedule this past year due to the lockout-shortened season. The revamped 48-game schedule called for some odd dates, including consecutive contests against opposition in the same building, which you don’t see very often, if at all, during a regular 82-game schedule.

The Calgary Flames visited Los Angeles for back-to-back contests on March 9th and March 11th at Staples Center, and the Kings were as hot as the visiting club’s name – ousting the boys from Alberta, British Columbia in exquisitely decisive fashion in both games.

It was a sad final chapter for Jarome Iginla‘s 17 years in a Calgary Flames uniform, as the veteran superstar was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the NHL‘s trade-deadline on March 28th.

Prior to the two dates with the Flames, the Kings were already on fire, winning 8 of their last 9 contests at Staples Center, and 9 of their last 11 games overall.

They improved those numbers defiantly.

The Kings outscored the Calgary Flames 9-3 in the two contests, with goals coming from eight different players on the roster. Vyacheslav Voynov, in the midst of another marvelous season, led the Kings in points during the two-game set with four assists.

The assists were just as wide-spread as the scoring for the Kings, with eight different names registering at least one assist in the two-game set.

Voynov finds Lewis

Muzzin finds Stoll

In the Red-Light District

#TopTen

#TEN – “Lasorda snubs Johnson“

#NINE – “Kopitar’s got Wings“

#EIGHT - “Hats-Off for Carter“

#SEVEN - “Calgary for Two”

#SIX –

We’re staying in mid-season form here at KingsCast. Keep an eye out as we near the middle stages of the countdown of the Kings’ #TopTen moments of the 2012-2013 campaign.

Episode 204 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 5 WCF RECAP – HERE
2012 VS 2013: An EXCLUSIVE KingsCast TV Digital Short – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
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KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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#Eight

“Carter’s trick of the trade”

This roster was rolling at a full-throttle pace at the start of March, reeling off seven victories in nine games in the latter stages of their February schedule heading into their date against the Nashville Predators on March 4th, 2013 at Staples Center.

When things are going well for you, everything seems to hit the back of the net.

The Kings’ 5-1 victory against the Nashville Predators on March 4th was one of their best offensive performances of the entire season, goal-wise at least. The scoreboard can’t always be the telling tale of the in’s and out’s of a contest, however. The Kings lit up Nashville’s goaltender Pekka Rinne with their five goals on a measly 13 shots on net.

There’s an example of quality over quantity for you.

Jeff Carter headlined the evening, recording his fifth career hat-trick, tallying his 12th, 13th, and 14th goals of the young season all in one night.

The scoring was opened with Jeff Carter‘s first goal of the contest early in the 2nd period. The floodgates were opened when Carter buried two more goals in a :19 second span to start the 3rd period.

A party then ensued at Staples Center, as fans littered the ice-sheet with hats in celebration of Carter’s monumental accomplishment that night.

It only helped that the Kings’ March 4th, 2013 date with the Nashville Predators was also “hat giveaway night” at Staples Center. There were plenty of cheap, rather bland Kings’ ball caps ready to be tossed over the glass and onto the ice.

Talk about making the best use of a product.

It’s Tricky

Pick ‘em Up

And throw ‘em Up

Littering’s fine, with no fine

#TopTen

#TEN – “Lasorda snubs Johnson“

#NINE – “Kopitar’s got Wings“

#EIGHT - “Hats-Off for Carter”

#SEVEN -

We’re still far from capping off the #TopTen moments of the Kings’ 2012-2013 campaign here at KingsCast. Be on the lookout as we continue the countdown of this season’s most memorable moments.

Episode 204 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 5 WCF RECAP – HERE
2012 VS 2013: An EXCLUSIVE KingsCast TV Digital Short – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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#Nine

“Prime-Time Anze”

The Kings sputtered in the early stages of their regular season campaign following the NHL‘s lengthy lockout, trudging through their first 10 contests with a losing record, feverishly looking to rediscover the confidence and success that led them to a Stanley Cup Championship during the 2011-2012 season.

The Detroit Red Wings, like many times prior in the history between these two clubs, had an effect on the Kings’ season that was, and in a way that can be looked at in both a positive and negative fashion.

The Kings traveled to Michigan on February 10th, 2013 for a date at Joe Louis Arena with the Detroit Red Wings. The results on that night’s occasion would be tough to swallow, as Detroit’s Jonathan Ericsson beat Jonathan Quick for the game’s winning tally with just 04.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

The heartbreaking loss would give the Kings a lowly 3-5-2 record to start the season.

It would see them tied for dead-last in the NHL‘s Western Conference.

Consider the Kings’ loss on that chilly February afternoon in Detroit, Michigan a wake-up call if you will. They would go a stalwart 6-1-0 over the course of the next 16 days before seeing the Detroit Red Wings again.

This time, on February 27th, 2013, the setting was Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. And this time, it was the Kings who would steal the contest in the final moments of regulation.

Make that 7-1-0 after their stumble in Michigan.

And make it pretty.

MoTown Dangle

We might be making this difficult for ourselves, by tabbing this as #Nine on our #TopTen list of moments during the 2012-2013 campaign.

Riding with that NINA

#TopTen

#TEN – “Lasorda snubs Johnson“

#NINE – “Kopitar’s got Wings”

#EIGHT -

We’ll be with you on the daily with this season’s Top Ten moments from the Kings’ 2012-2013 season. Keep those eyes peeled, and look out for number #Eight.

We’re working hard like it’s triple-overtime in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, or something like that.

Episode 204 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 5 WCF RECAP – HERE
2012 VS 2013: An EXCLUSIVE KingsCast TV Digital Short – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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#Ten

“Tommy’s dropping by”

One of Los Angeles’ greatest sports icons graced Kings fans with his presence when dropping the ceremonial first-puck prior to a contest at Staples Center earlier this season.

In the process of his pregame appearance, he managed to also leave former Kings defenseman Jack Johnson hanging stale like a clothing rack at a restaurant gift shop.

Talk about ‘still having it‘.

Tommy Lasorda was in the building for “Los Angeles Dodgers Pride Night” at Staples Center, which was celebrated during the Kings’ home contest on March 18th, 2013 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lasorda brought his old-fashioned, hard-nosed attitude to the ice that night at the age of 85, showing any existing doubters that time hasn’t shaved any competitive instinct off of the veteran’s shoulders.

Ironically, the youngsters stole the show that night with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center, with Drew Doughty starting the show, and Kyle Clifford putting it to rest.

The Kings donned Dodgers-style uniforms during warm-ups for the occasion.

A Whole New Blue

Tommy Lasorda didn’t just sneak in a private chat with Kings’ Captain Dustin Brown during the game’s opening ceremony at the faceoff circle, but he made his overall presence clear.

He expressed it in a way words couldn’t.

Call him a gamer, and consider the opposition helpless.

I think Jack Johnson‘s hand might still be out for that awaited hand-shake. Holy f*ck did he get burned.

Jack’s got no chance

“You do not talk to the opposition.”

Atta boy Tommy

Go grab yourself a beer

Who Loves It

Either Jeff Carter is happy to see the player he was traded to the Kings for when coming from the Columbus Blue Jackets get worked by Tommy Lasorda, or he somehow knew ahead of time that his Dodgers warm-up jersey was going to sell for $2,500.00.

Which it did.

Stick with us here at KingsCast. Peruse the links below, especially our new Digital Short, and look out for moment #Nine of the 2013 season in the coming hours.

NEW Exclusive KingsCast TV Digital Short: 2012 VS 2013 HERE
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Their final response was deeper than any numeral you’ll see on a stat-sheet.

They went down swinging, they fought until their tank was dryer than rooftops across Southern California.

The Kings staved off a party the NHL‘s Presidents’ Trophy winners and the entire city of Chicago was so eagerly awaiting, and expecting.

This, a party 27 other teams in the league would’ve begged to be able to have the chance to try and interrupt.

The delay lasted about 85 minutes. And a magical time-frame it was.

This lapse in real-time from Mike Richards‘ magic with 09.4 seconds left in the 3rd Period to Patrick Kane‘s deathblow with 08:20 minutes remaining in the 2nd Overtime frame exhibited nothing but the truest and most genuine efforts for survival in the NHL‘s most demanding, exhausting, and challenging stage.

The Kings, down and out in more ways than one, exemplified elite status in what turned out to be a somber setting.

They did it with a roster bludgeoned with injuries. They played through it in stellar form.

The Chicago Blackhawks‘ dressing room at the United Center was ready for a celebration as the final seconds drew off of the clock in the 3rd period of Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals Saturday evening.

Champagne in the Chicago Blackhawks‘ dressing room remained on ice as Mike Richards, who wasn’t even expected to play in Game 5 because of concussion syndromes, left the crowd at United Center and the NHL‘s audience in complete awe.

From then on, it was 85 minutes that depicted the beauty of team effort, character, and a stunningly strong will to not let go, when everyone expected them to do so.

31:40 minutes of hockey later, the Kings’ final stroke of hockey this season was taken.

They left everything on the ice.

They fought until the final moment, with nothing left to expend.

And that folks, means everything.

Seconds can define you

They can last forever

They can override the bad

Don’t Change that Channel

Summertime Sadness: We’ll be with you throughout the offseason with coverage from all angles, both here from the blog and from KingsCast TV. El Segundo will keep their ice fresh at Toyota Sports Center, as Kings’ Training Camp is slated to start in a mere three weeks, and preseason contests for the 2013-2014 season commence in less than four months.

Five for Fighting: Look out for a recap of the Kings’ top five plays/moments of the 2012-2013 campaign here on the blog in the coming days.

Roundtable Talks: A number of NHL credentialed media members will be with us at the end of June to discuss all things Kings, from a look back to the season that was, to all issues and topics that highlight this team heading into next year.We’ll have live coverage here on the site, with plenty of raw analysis coming at you from KingsCast TV.

Youth Additions: Just after our offseason talks with official NHL analysts, we’ll have you fully covered during the 2013 NHL Entry Draft being held in New Jersey, New York at the Prudential Center on June 30th.

Stanley Cup Picks: Be on the lookout for predictions on the outcome of the Stanley Cup Finals series between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks. The whole crew from KingsCast, plus other members from other hockey outlets will give you their scoop into which team raises the Cup this season.

With that, we’ll talk soon.

Episode 203 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 4 WCF RECAP – HERE
Episode 202 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 3 WCSF RECAP – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
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KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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If it’s grim, it’s only going to get worse the longer you look.

For the Kings, thoughts and actions must be simplified immediately, because if you dare attempt to look up the mountain that is a 3-1 series deficit, your mind and confidence will eliminate you before the opposition even has the chance to do so.

There’s a one-game series starting Saturday night.

It’s in Downtown Chicago, Illinois at the United Center.

That series is Game 5 of the Kings’ Western Conference Finals matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. To look past tomorrow night’s contest won’t do you a lick of good.

It would be as detrimental as listening to Tim Leiweke run his mouthpiece.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 203: LAK-CHI Game 4 WCF RECAP

What you can look to, but certainly do so with a grain of salt, is that the Chicago Blackhawks overcame a 3-1 series deficit to get here, winning three straight contests to beat the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Quarterfinals in seven games.

That in itself is a trap.

Detroit is a team much more capable of faltering in such a fashion than the opponent the Kings must pull their magic against, the team that did it against the Detroit Red Wings.

All one really knows is that the Boston Bruins await.

And that, well, a few key names haven’t quite been looking like their old selves.

Boston Brewin’

Captain in Ruin

Game 5 Lookin’

Milk the last leg: The Kings are battered, exhausted, and bruised like no one has seen them in recent time. They’re without Mike Richards indefinitely, and are seeing some ghastly uncharacteristic play from some names that are simply, and sickeningly not playing up to the standards they withhold.

Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty are needed. Tyler Toffoli can chip in, but he ain’t going to do it. The Kings, even with their key healthy scratches, are far from playing and producing at a level that meets the %100 mark.

But excuses are a farce. It’s weak.

Don’t lower yourself, even if you’re already down.

One.

Puck drops for Game 5 of the NHL‘s Western Conference Finals series Saturday evening against the Chicago Blackhawks in Downtown Chicago, Illinois at the United Center at 5:00PM PST.

Episode 203 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 4 WCF RECAP – HERE
Episode 202 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 3 WCSF RECAP – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
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KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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They were run into the ground in Chicago, they held ground in Los Angeles. A terrain game.

It’s perseverance.

It’s tenacity.

Now it’s a series.

The Kings returned to Staples Center on their heels Tuesday night following a pair of difficult to consume performances at United Center against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first two contests of this Western Conference Finals series.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 202: LAK-CHI Game 3 WCF RECAP

An ugly trip it was to Chicago, Illinois this past weekend, where the Kings were outplayed in every facet of the game by the Chicago Blackhawks, faltering offensively, defensively, in the crease, and all topped off with a lack of discipline that is quite uncharacteristic of this roster under the direction of Darryl Sutter.

Remember, we’re talking about persistence here.

Who says you can’t strike gold when broken.

Breaking a stick Records

Russian it

Killing it: The youth movement has been in full-swing for the Kings’ roster in this year’s playoff run. Headlining that show is defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov, who came up crucial – yet again, in Game 3 Tuesday evening at Staples Center.

Voynov recorded his fifth goal of the postseason in that contest, setting a new Kings franchise record for goals in a single playoff season by a defenseman.

That goal he scored on Chicago’s Corey Crawford proved to be the eventual game-winning tally, which has been nothing new to the 23 year-old Chelyabinsk, Russia native’s foray during this playoff run.

In fact, it was Vyacheslav Voynov‘s fourth game-winning goal in the playoff campaign, which sets another Kings record – which doesn’t just lead Kings defensemen, but the franchise’s career roster as a whole.

He’s brought his stalwart play to compliment his outstanding offensive output, holding a +10 rating to his name. That’s the best rating for any player in the league right now, if you count out a chunk of the Boston Bruins roster, where four of their players lead the NHL in the postseason’s +/- rating category.

Toffoli Too

Showcase: The Kings’ 21 year-old Rookie forward Tyler Toffoli played alongside Dustin Penner and Jeff Carter on Darryl Sutter‘s first line Tuesday night, and was more than satisfactory in playing the role.

Desperate for an offensive spark after Mike Richards went down with concussion syndromes, and a struggling Anze Kopitar was demoted to the third line, Darryl Sutter called upon the young Tyler Toffoli, who met expectations in astounding fashion.

Toffoli, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1 of the series, has wreaked havoc against Corey Crawford and the Chicago Blackhawks‘ defense, recording a goal and two assists in two games. He’s opened space and has been a reliable outlet for his linemates, firing off five shots in his two appearances this series.

He was called up to the NHL from the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs in the second week of March, appearing in 10 regular season contests through the final stretch of the season. He’s appeared in 10 playoff contests for the Kings as well, and is doing it with a legion of confidence that will certainly make him an automatic go-to for Darryl Sutter‘s lineup scheme.

Hats Off

Looking-Glass Self

Game 4

The Looks: Tuesday night’s win simply brought the Kings back into this Western Conference Finals series, the work is far from done. However, they’ve been able to put their horrid performances in the first two contests of this series behind them. They’ll need to repeat their Game 3 actions, and some.

Much like last series against the San Jose Sharks, it’s crucial that the Kings keep the Chicago Blackhawks‘ powerplay units off of the ice. The Kings regained their discipline Tuesday night, only giving Chicago two man-advantage opportunities, shutting them down both times.

They’ve got to put pressure on Chicago early, where they can set the tempo on home ice. The Kings did so in Game 3, out-shooting and out-hitting the Blackhawks early and often, maintaining control throughout the contest en rout to a 3-1 win.

Man Down

Head Games: The Kings will be without Mike Richards for the third consecutive game, as he continues to sit out of the lineup with concussion syndromes suffered after taking a vicious hit behind the net from Chicago’s Dave Bolland.

It’s a terrible loss of skill, will, and output on paper, but the Kings proved to be able to refuse to let Richards’ absence be an excuse for failure. They’ll have to keep that chip on their shoulder tonight.

Duncan Down: Speaking of player losses, the Chicago Blackhawks are dealing with one themselves tonight as well. Duncan Keith has been suspended for his high-stick retaliation that bloodied the face of Jeff Carter in Game 3 Tuesday night.

He’s not just Chicago’s best defenseman, but arguably the most critical asset to their roster as a whole. He often logs the most ice-time for the Blackhawks, and he makes every second count against the opposition.

You’ve got to take advantage of it.

The Kings have to pounce.

Seeing Red

Keep #88 Quiet

Because you’ve Gotta Defend What’s Yours

Stape Date

The setting for the next chapter of the Kings’ Stanley Cup defense will be on the ice surface where they’re best suited.

Where they’re 8-0 this postseason.

Where they’ve won 15 straight contests.

Where they haven’t lost a game since March 23rd.

Puck drops for Game 4 of the NHL‘s Western Conference Finals series in Downtown Los Angeles at Staples Center Thursday evening against the Chicago Blackhawks at 6:00PM PST.

Episode 202 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 3 WCF RECAP – HERE
Episode 201 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 1&2 WCSF RECAP – HERE
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Denial won’t do it for you now. Let it go and realize.

This team is in trouble.

If there’s anything to lean on for hope, it’s Staples Center, where this Western Conference Finals series against the Chicago Blackhawks shifts to in Downtown Los Angeles for Game 3 on Tuesday evening.

It’s where the Kings have solidified success in recent times. It’s where they’ve been just about untouchable.

*NEW KingsCast TV: Episode 201: LAK-CHI Game 1&2 WCF RECAP

The Chicago Blackhawks, however, have shown the ability to push those seemingly unwarranted buttons against the Kings, keying in on a player that until Sunday night, had the entire NHL and his opponents in total control at the will of his own hands. 

Jonathan Quick was beat. The Kings were run into the ground.

The Kings’ biggest test of will comes in Game 3 Tuesday night at Staples Center, where they haven’t lost a game since March 23rd against the Vancouver Canucks.

They’re 7-0 in the playoffs this season at Staples Center.

They’ve won their last 14 contests in home confines at the corner of Figueroa St. and Chick Hearn Blvd.

Tomorrow’s an opportunity for survival in a setting where success for this roster has been a sure thing. If that can’t be accomplished, prepare your mental state for what the ultimatum of this series is slowly, and painfully, shaping up to be.

There’s certainly still a chance. But give reality a nod for your own good.

Chance Stance

Downward Dance

Greene-er Pastures

Or else the offseason captures

There’s so much more going into Tuesday night’s Game 3 contest than talked about here.

For now, though, words will surrender to results.

Looks will tell the tale

You know what needs to happen.

It starts with a W.

Puck drops for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center Tuesday night at 6:00PM PST.

Episode 201 KingsCast TV: LAK-CHI Game 1&2 WCF RECAP – HERE
Episode 200 KingsCast TV: LAK-SJS Game 7 WCSF RECAP – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
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KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube