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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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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.

*New KingsCast TV – Episode 178 “What’s up with Mike Richards?”*

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.

Episode 178 KingsCast TV: What’s the deal with Mike Richards? – HERE
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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.

Episode 177: L.A Kings Raise the Banner – HERE
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It may just not work for the Kings this year. That’s not criticism, it’s what’s been happening.

A lackluster performance in Columbus on Thursday, followed by a complete and utter collapse Friday in Detroit have the Kings slowly inching out of the playoff race, and making it very difficult in having a shot at reclaiming a spot.

The Kings have fallen to 11th in the Western Conference, with 74 points to the name. With 14 games remaining on the regular season schedule, there’s still time for drastic change – good or bad, but as close as the standings are, the Kings don’t have much room to move – that’s what makes the last two losses so detrimental.

Because when it’s this close, idle movement in the standings can certainly be a good thing.

They haven’t been idle in Los Angeles, they’re moving back, and that’s a scary step to take. At 11th, the Kings can only reasonably be within reach of 7th place in the Western Conference, owned by the Phoenix Coyotes (76 pts) who don’t even have an owner themselves. There are five clubs from 7th-11th place in the Western Conference, and are all separated by a maximum of two points.

Hence Phoenix (7th – 76), Los Angeles (11th – 74).

So there’s some hope to be had, but that’s a tough battle to win.

 Fit for a King

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If you’re looking for a bright spot, look to Dwight King. King, in his second stint with the Kings as a call-up from the AHL‘s Manchester Monarchs, has fared quite well in his second go-around. Since his promotion, King has delivered seven points in 13 games with three goals and four assists.

He’s shown impressive puck-control low along the boards, he’s shown reliable consistency with presence in front of the net, and he enters the zone with strength and smarts – with or without the puck. As a line-mate of Mike Richards‘, King showed strong signs of promise. Since Jeff Carter replaced rookie Jordan Nolan on their line, Dwight King almost becomes a regular 2nd line asset in your mind.

Dwight King wins that game in Detroit, the Kings lose it.

Kompon can’t get the bird these days

They’ve scored 22 goals in their previous seven games, that’s well above their average – which ranks dead last (30th) in the NHL. That’s over three goals per game, crazy isn’t it? So quite frankly, the problems are stemming from areas other than the forwards these days – imagine that.

It has been seen as of recent. Having both Alec Martinez and Slava Voynov in the lineup combines to be more of a liability than Jack Johnson in the defensive zone. Jonathan Quick had the weakest game of his season Tuesday night in a 5-4 win against the Nashville Predators, and he chooses to do so when this offense scores an uncanny five goals for him. Jonathan Bernier, as always, got the call in Columbus. A very solid game from the backup, but fell victim to those in front of him.

None of these problems are snowballing, they’re just all coming together at the wrong time. Not much time to make things right.

And they release this during the week, this is unecessary and unfitting for everything this season. But even so, a video dedicated to goal celebrations deserves a look. Take it away, f*ck face Patrick O’Neal.

How about a video compilation of best reactions regarding this.

Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 146 HERE
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Finding it tricky to compile my feelings on this one. Can’t love it, can’t hate it.

The University of Michigan alum will now be playing on the outskirts of Ohio State University‘s campus.

Defenseman Jack Johnson has been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in swap of forward Jeff Carter and a conditional first-round draft selection in either 2012 or 2013 – pending the Kings’ ability to secure a playoff berth this season.

*UPDATE: Quote from Jack Johnson on the trade via Mayors Manor:

“I’m excited by this. I’m excited to go to a team that wants me, and to play in a great sports city. I want to be part of the solution there. I know they’ve had some bad breaks and some tough seasons, but it’s going to be great when it turns around. Really, I don’t think there’s anything sweeter in sports than being part of a team when they get it turned around.”

This isn’t a big surprise to most, front offices in Los Angeles and Columbus were a good fit for each other at this year’s trade deadline. The Kings were desperate for acquiring offensive help, the Blue Jackets were eager to move a couple of top-six scoring assets in order for a heavy rebuild. The Kings had a very tradeable high-value defenseman, the Blue Jackets needed to move a proven forward that had well-known gripe for playing in Columbus.

It was aligned to happen, now it’s reality.

It’s sad. The more it settles, the more you realize how little Jack Johnson‘s performance in a Kings uniform played into tonight’s deal. Sure, his ugly plus-minus stat irritated fans, which fed many to believe he had plateaued as an NHL player, but the Kings had an above-average defenseman locked up for a lengthy tenure at an extremely low price. Plus, the guy is only 25, and held off the NHL for two years to play NCAA hockey in Ann Arbor. There was plenty of time to be had with Johnson’s development, and it’s now the kiss of death to his tenure as a King.

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Hit the road, Jack: I’ve had my fair number of frustrations with Jack Johnson this season and the last. However, it’s tough to let such promising young talent go in this fashion. It was a move to alleviate distress in the Kings’ front office, which had seen major offseason offensive acquisitions result in the Kings at rock-bottom of the NHL in scoring. On the playoff bubble, but on the outside looking in, the Kings were almost forced to act on something doable that could bring hope for a late-season resurgence.

That hope comes in Jeff Carter, who has recorded 25 points in 39 games with Columbus this season – following three extremely productive seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, notching 84, 61, and 66 points in his final three campaigns in Philly. The Kings now have a proven scoring forward, they’re dying for someone to initiate chemistry in their dreadful offense.

The Kings’ desperate plea for offensive help makes this trade a bit easier to swallow. Not to mention, the Kings are almost top-heavy in strength at defense. I’d expect Slava Voynov to get the call to fill Johnson’s void for the remainder of the year. If there’s one positive to take from tonight’s deal, it’s improving the outlook of the offense while maintaining defensive strength.

Adios, Jack.

Welcome, Mr. Carter.

The Carter: The newly-acquired forward doesn’t just have an impressive resume, but a strong connection to arguably the Kings’ most valuable player in Mike Richards. Both players spent five seasons together with the Philadelphia Flyers, and not only did they maintain possibly what was the strongest relationship on the roster for those years, but were two of the biggest, if not the biggest, offensive producers for the Flyers.

The Kings are dying for chemistry in the offensive zone, this may trigger it.

At the very least, this pumps hope into a club that has been mentally abused by failure in the offensive zone. The coach has changed, lines have been shuffled, maybe a fresh name is the answer — but don’t put all of your weight on it. This is just another direction in a season that resembles tumultuous. Hopefully, this time around, tumultuous exemplifies results rather than excitement.

Argue it if you want, sealed as a done deal.

Metro Los Angeles should know better than to release destination posters during the NHL trade-deadline. Or, maybe Johnson’s looking for directions to Columbus? This new advertisement, released just two days ago.

The Kings’ season started out in extremely positive fashion, Jack Johnson set that table with his OT goal in the season’s opener against the New York Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden.

 Of course, you can’t forget Jack Johnson‘s ‘Tebow’ celebration in January’s victory over the Washington Capitals.

At last, a back-track to better times, when Johnson was a key piece to the Kings’ youthful core.

So long, Jacko. Welcome to Los Angeles, Jeff Carter.

Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 144 HERE
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The General Manager is now in question, players are being tossed around for a deadline deal, the playoffs are in doubt — and could quickly become a long shot.

It’s been bad, it’s getting worse.

The Kings’ inconceivable lack of scoring has had an awful effect all year long, those effects have hit this roster no harder than in the past two games.

Two 1-0 losses, two consecutive shutouts on home ice, both against clubs that hopped over the Kings in the standings with those wins. That’s not going to cut it, not even close.

This team now finds themselves out of playoff positioning. Sitting in the Western Conference‘s 9th-seed slot, the Kings are in a frenzy to find a solution, to find an answer — and fast. With 65 points, the Kings are no safe bet to recover and solidify a postseason bid. They are far from alone in claiming the final playoff spot, with four clubs trailing just five points behind them, going down all the way to 13th in the Western Conference, where the Anaheim Ducks stand with 60 points.

Same result, all year long

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Dealing with Dean: The way things have continued to play out for the Kings, a deal prior to Monday’s trade-deadline may be the only solution in order to fend for a third consecutive playoff berth. Two big names that have been tossed around the grid both belong to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are reportedly open to dealing a couple of major assets.

Yes, that would be Rick Nash and Jeff Carter.

The Jackets, who are mired in their worst season in franchise history, are starting to hint at a full rebuild. This means they’ve got to get something of very high value to part-ways with either of these players. For Nash, Columbus is reportedly asking for Jonathan Bernier, Jack Johnson, Andrei Loktionov, and maybe even a bit more.

Do I like this? No. Am I worried about a desperate knee-jerk move made by Dean Lombardi? Yes.

Ask yourselves, how much thought is Lombardi genuinely putting into the Kings short-term future here, rather than just this season alone? Because, quite frankly, there’s a good chance he’s shown the door if things don’t turn around quickly, and at a very impressive rate. He’s got to act now, and that may not be as good of a thing as it sounds to be.

The last thing you want to do is give away highly talented youth, who have yet to hit their prime stride, for one man’s last-ditch effort at saving his job.

As for Jeff Carter? Well, all right. His attitude is shaky to say the least, but at least he’s got strong connections with Mike Richards. Plus, he’s quite a bit cheaper than Nash, and could fill in as a winger on any of the top-three lines. I’d definitely mull it over.

The Kings are desperate, but they can’t be desperate for a trade. They’ve got to be desperate at playing hockey. The talent is here already, I’ll say it again. If it happens to be one of those year’s in which things just don’t click, then so be it. If a deal is made at the deadline, we can only see how it pans out.

The worst time to shoot yourself in the foot is when you’re already down. For the Kings, I wouldn’t go after anything higher than a Jeff Carter. Add a couple of pieces if you can, just be sure to still value the players this team has now. A big deal, well one that’s too big, could potentially haunt this club for years.

All you can do is wait and see

Desperate in the Desert: It’s a date with the Phoenix Coyotes, yet again. This one is huge, this one is mammoth. The Kings (9th – 65 points) and Coyotes (7th – 67 points) meet just five days after their last affair, which saw the Sun Dogs take a 1-0 shutout victory at Staples Center. The Kings could find themselves as high as 7th in the Western Conference with a win, or continue to separate themselves from the playoff bubble even more. To call this the biggest game of the year wouldn’t do it justice.

At least the Kings have proven they can beat the Coyotes with just one goal. The problem they’re facing tonight, is scoring that goal.

That’s some optimism to build off of.. Right?

Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 144 HERE
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“We were real average, quite honestly.” — Darryl Sutter

Back to work: It may have been an average performance, barely topping the NHL‘s worst club in Columbus — but the fashion in which the Kings earned the two points was anything but. Before we get to the positives from last night’s contest, and how you really couldn’t ask for a bigger momentum swing to start post – All Star break play, there’s a simple explanation for Staples Center clock controversy as Drew Doughty netted the game winner with just 0.4 seconds to play. Kings GM Dean Lombardi said it best, in response to Columbus GM Scott Howson‘s premature accusations.

“Those clocks are sophisticated instruments that calculate time by measuring electrical charges called coulombs — given the rapidity and volume of electrons that move through the measuring device the calibrator must adjust at certain points which was the delay you see. The delay is just recalibrating for the clock moving too quickly during the 10—10ths of a second before the delay. This insures that the actual playing time during a period is exactly 20 minutes.”

“That is not an opinion -— that is science -— amazing device quite frankly.”

“The clock stoppage is actually common, just not always in the last seconds of a game leading to a GWG in that final second. It is the clock’s display syncing with the internal clock/computer.”

So, to get technical, it came down to coulombs in the last-second victory against Columbus.

Would Dean Lombardi be saying the same thing if this had happened against the Kings? Maybe not, probably not. But, when you’re on the losing side of a situation like that, you tend to let frustrations get in the way of clear, calm thinking. Plus, many times have I seen Staples’ clock pause in such a fashion it did last night in the final minute of a period. Drew Doughty scored that goal prior to the 20-minute mark, case closed.

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Not just Average: Kings coach Darryl Sutter was right on the money tabbing last night’s performance ‘average’, but it’s got the makings to give this club a huge boost, a great deal of momentum. If winning a game in front of a home crowd with 0.4 seconds left to play isn’t enough adrenaline to build off of leading into the season’s longest road trip, those who contributed, and in what situations, should provide some much needed optimism.

For starters, the Kings executed on two of three powerplay opportunities, which further shows the resurgence play in man-advantage situations has seen the past couple of weeks. The last time the Kings saw the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 7th, a 1-0 loss, the Kings went 0-8 on the powerplay. What a difference it can make, no?

Justin Williams, who chipped in with a powerplay goal of his own netting the first goal of last night’s contest, now has points in nine consecutive games. Williams has 35 points in his 49 appearances this season, he’s notched 11 in his current nine game scoring streak. This is huge.

Dustin Penner hounded on a turnover he caused and used his strength to find a lane straight to the net in beating a helpless Curtis Sanford for the Kings’ second tally of the night. Penner isn’t riding a point streak like Williams, but whenever you can get production from the struggling forward, you’re gladly going to take it. Plus, the guy has consistently been looking better each game.

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If you were somewhere under a rock last night, here’s a clip showing multiple replays of Drew Doughty‘s goal. If you get to the :49 second mark of this video, you’ll clearly see the clock’s stoppage at 1.8 seconds. However, there’s no reason to be afraid to see this again, as it simply was the visible clock re-syncing with the internal mechanisms. 10′ths of a second can be a bit hard to keep up with, this happens more than you think. It’s difficult to notice, as the clock had the full spotlight this time around. A good goal it is, tough break for the Blue Jackets.. yet again.

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Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 142 HERE
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The All Star break is over and it’s time for some LA Kings hockey. In this episode we (briefly) talk about the NHL All Star Game, the game tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, talk about the possibility of trading for Jeff Carter and Ryan Malone and tell you what we heard in the Premier section at Staples Center.

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Checked Bags: Reality hits hard when you’re coming down from a break. For the Kings, the weekend’s downtime during the 2012 NHL All Star Game was a beautiful thing, because life for this roster is going to get pretty hectic – and fast. With 32 games left on the season’s schedule, the Kings are tabbed to play 20 of those in visiting confines, only 12 dates left on the calendar for Staples Center affairs. The Kings will knock off one of those remaining home dates when getting started with post-break play, the return of the Columbus Blue Jackets. That should be an easy start, right?

Then it gets rough, the Kings scheduled for their longest road swing of the season, a six game slate in a span of nine days. I was initially going to say that having six consecutive games on the road isn’t horribly awful considering it’s the longest trip of the year, but it’s jam-packed, just three off-days to counter the heavy travel.

The Kings can afford to continue with their OT/SO trend during this road trip, something that has been a regular occurrence for the club this season. Of the six games the Kings play on their upcoming road trip, four are against Eastern Conference opponents. As long as they can pocket one point against these opponents, they won’t be giving one away to a Western Conference threat if they falter in extra time. But, we all know, the Kings need to start executing when the hockey’s free.

The Kings are no postseason guarantee right now, sitting idle with a 24-16-10 record accounting for 58 points, mapping them out for 95 points at season’s end. In the previous six seasons, the eighth-place team in the Western Conference has finished the year with 95 points or more four times. For the Kings to hit the 95 point mark, they would have to muster together 19-12-1 record, or one that earns them at least 37 points.

If there’s one thing to take in positive manner in the Kings’ road-heavy schedule, location hasn’t attributed to success or lack thereof, it’s well-known that goal scoring has covered that all year long. However, in the past couple of years, the Kings have consistently shown the ability to fare better away from home fans, both during a playoff stretch and the postseason. Boy, I could really go for one more Game 6 Western Conference Quarterfinals elimination at home!

Hotel reservations will be key for the Kings during the remainder of the season, I wonder if Bailey got to room with Jonathan Quick in Ottawa?

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The Los Angeles Kings are on the road one more time and they’re taking the Midwest by storm. In this episode, we talk about the games between the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Stars, interview Rick Nash and update you on a little bet. How did you expect the Kings would do on this roadtrip? Saddle up and enjoy!