.

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
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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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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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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The shortened NHL season trudges on. Back in action with another riveting and contentious regular season installment is KingsCast. In this episode we breakdown the 1st road trip of the season, talk Vancouver & Nashville games, attempt to figure out what’s wrong with the LA Kings and of course, discuss Mike Richards. What would you do to steer this team in the right direction?

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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

Episode 177: L.A Kings Raise the Banner – HERE
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Since the 2012 NHL Lockout killed the annual Holiday show, we decided to mix together a compilation of some of the best KingsCast Los Angeles Kings Holiday moments from both the video show and the podcast. Includes “Hockey Neverland,” the LA Kings official Christmas cards, “My Favorite KingsCast things,” Holiday gift giving, “Most Miserable Time of the Year” and much more. Happy Holidays from KingsCast!

The Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley Cup! It was bedlam at Staples Center last night and the LA Kings were on top of their game…all game. In this episode we talk about the game against the New Jersey Devils, the Stanley Cup and bring you another edition of See Ya! Kings fans, how are you feeling right now?

Music brought to you by the Graveyard Bandits

It’s Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final and the Los Angeles Kings were looking to finish it in New Jersey. It didn’t happen. For hockey fans: we have a series! For Kings fans: oh, why me!? In this episode we break down the game and give you our Top 5 reasons why the New Jersey Devils will win the Stanley Cup.

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Just let it roll. Make it happen like we and the rest of the world have come to know.

Nothing more to be said right now.

Go Kings – Bring it home tonight won’t you.

One more

LAK-NJD GAME 4 RECAP in Episode 167 HERE
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