.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you define difficult?

Comfortable doesn’t exist right now.

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

Game 4 can send the Sharks to the brink.

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

Putting a Spin on it

How do you want it?

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Manchester

With Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a youth movement, if you will.

Purple Days

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

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

Young bloods.

Like Jordan

Take a Seat

Point at Detroit

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

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

Don’t talk back, kid

Speakeasy

Game Four Pour

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

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

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

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

However, three is key.

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

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

And as you know…

Someone needs to make a leading statement on this team.

And they need to do it in Game 4.

Word has it, he’s back

Word has it.

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

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

Comeback Cliff

Call us Rich

But who’s Counting

Who’s Fronting

Richy Rich.

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

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

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

How they continue to grow.

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

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

The Anaheim Ducks just couldn’t keep up.

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

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

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

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

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

But the young stars were definite.

Doughty’s dos

No Dought

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

Playoff ‘Bout

Youth Hangout

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

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

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

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

Red Dog, Light

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

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

Oil left in the Tank

The White/Purple road uniforms were retired that year.

The Black/Purple home uniforms were retired this year.

Dustin Penner won’t be a King next year.

It’s just mother nature’s cycle.

Laser Penner

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

If playoffs was in her Pepsi cup

This innocent little girl would be choking.

Whether it be like Old Times

Or what Today finds

Just let it Roll

Fresh Feelings

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

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

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

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

It’s all off the books now.

Don’t depend on anything.

Not even a Hail Mary

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

Episode 194 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 5 WCQF RECAP – HERE
Episode 195 KingsCast TV: LAK-STL Game 6 WCQF RECAP – HERE
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The 2013 NHL regular season concludes as the Kings land in the 5 spot. In this installment we quickly breakdown the games against the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings & San Jose Sharks, present our Top 5 Reasons why playing the St. Louis Blues in Round 1 is awesome, introduce our KingsCast Playoff Beard tracker and preview the playoffs.

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Saturday night’s regular season finale could be a case of déjà vu, it could be a precursor.

Pick your outlook at-will.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those results are far from shabby.

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

Chin Check

Hunt for Home

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

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

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

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

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

San Jose, can you see

The #13 Lean

Going Fourth, California North

Office Talk

Ice Gawk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Was Ellerby that bad?

No time for family

It’s the playoffs, fool.

R.S.V.P.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t call it a Hail Mary

Captain’s Out

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

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

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

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

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

Time for another run.

See you Saturday

Be prepared for a dandy.

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

Episode 188 KingsCast TV: The March to the Playoffs – HERE
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KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

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One starts the show, two in :16 seconds can steal it.

Sometimes desperation wins.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s why they call it ‘HockeyTown‘.

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

Detroit at Home

To Detroit, then Home

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

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

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

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

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

 Kopi’s got Wings

Fly High

Proven Performance(s)

A Cold Bern

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

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

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

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

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

And if needed, Jonathan Bernier is there.

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

Voynov’s gotta go high

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

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

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

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

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

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

Look What I Found

Last Looks

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

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

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

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

Big-eyed About it

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

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

Episode 188 KingsCast TV: The March to the Playoffs – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
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With authority, we’re back! The busy month of March continues as the LA Kings battle for playoff positioning. In this installment, Chris is joined by KingsCast blogger Alex Kinkopf as they breakdown the San Jose Sharks & Phoenix Coyotes games, give a See Ya! to the 3rd jersey and discuss goaltending. Go Kings!

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They’re not trying to catch up – they’re trying to stay ahead.

That’s the good thing here for the Kings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tough schedule = A tough go

Back-to-back

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There’s some backdrop here.

Pass the Salt

Pacemaker

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

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

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

Clifford, Clifford, Clifford.

3 minutes in

Not so Quick

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Call it a win-win.

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

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

Wouldn’t that be nice

 

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

Which is now on Clearance

They put it so lightly sometimes

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

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

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

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

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

Episode 183 KingsCast TV: Jarome Iginla will not be an L.A. King – HERE
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The Los Angeles Kings and KingsCast are back! In this better-late-than-never season opener episode we discuss the raising of the Stanley Cup Championship banner, breakdown the Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks game and give our predictions for the Pacific Division and Western Conference. Buckle up for what should be a wild ride of a season!

The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks were fighting for 7th in the West coming into tonight at the Shark Tank but it was Dan Boyle who lead his team with a hat trick to finish off the Kings. In this episode we talk about the game and give you a little preview about the upcoming playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks.

Canucks fans….Welcome.

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There’s one more round to be had, and it should be an absolute dandy.

They’re in the playoffs, and quite frankly, a Pacific Division title may not be their best fortune.

It’s the regular season finale tonight in a date at the HP Pavilion with the San Jose Sharks, a club too familiar in too many disgusting ways. Emotions from Thursday’s tilt that saw 10 regulation goals and 63 penalty minutes will certainly still be fresh in the minds of both clubs. The Kings, who fell to the Sharks Thursday night in a 6-5 shootout loss, were victims of sub-par officiating, and a few cheap, unjust moves that were just that, only looking to knock the Kings out of their zone, and claim that allotted “big brother” image Jim Fox harps on. They got away with it too, and sideshows can’t hinge your game in the postseason.

One of those sideshows happened to be Ryan Clowe, disrupting a Kings’ 3-on-2 powerplay offensive zone entry from the bench. A classless, utterly cheap move that shockingly is not heeding any punishment from the NHL.

Jarret Stoll, who didn’t just decide to finally fucking show up Thursday night, also put the mental faults they suffered in the game to the side in a professional manner:

“Four guys can call that. You’d hope one of them can see it, and they didn’t. It’s a tough play. That’s the way it goes. You’ve got to battle through things, and that was one of the things we had to battle through, and we didn’t do it.’’ – Jarret Stoll via Rich Hammond

As rigid as it may sound, Stoll’s best decision would have been to continue and play through the incident. However, how many of you can say you’d have the self control and skill to do such a thing? Well said, Strollsy.

“I knew stick came from bench, that’s why I reacted the way I did. Maybe I should’ve kept playing + kept my mouth shut.” – Jarret Stoll via Mayors Manor

Oh Strollsy, where art thou?

“So Jarret, fill us in on what you’ve been doing the past 34 games.”

“A sh*t ton of Rogaine.”

“And this.”

Playoff picture: The final day of the NHL‘s regular season is all about scenarios. The Kings’ tilt with the Sharks tonight is the absolute final contest on the league’s slate this season, game # 1,230, and the implications are monumental. With the Phoenix Coyotes‘ win over the St. Louis Blues last night, they now claim the top of the Pacific Division. Phoenix, who’s future is in question as a franchise, certainly has a lot of say today.

- – -

If Phoenix earns 2 points @ Minnesota: The Coyotes win the Pacific Division. The winner of Kings-Sharks seeds 7th in the West, loser seeds 8.

If Phoenix earns 1 point @ Minnesota: The Kings win the Pacific Division if they beat San Jose in regulation or overtime. They would finish 7th in West if they beat San Jose in a shootout, and 8th if they lose outright.

If Phoenix earns 0 points @ Minnesota: The winner of the Kings-Sharks tilt would win the Pacific Division (3rd in West), loser would finish at 8th in West.

- – -

Why the 7th seed may be the best fit: Because, the St. Louis Blues have first-round playoff exit written all over them, and they are unquestionably the best match up the Kings, Sharks, or Coyotes could ask for. A fight for the 7th seed does not exist, as it shouldn’t. But, if that placement is given at the end of tonight, you’ve got to feel pretty damn optimistic.

If the Kings finish 8th in the Western Conference, they play the Vancouver Canucks. Not exactly ideal. If the Kings are to finish 3rd, they’d match up with the Chicago Blackhawks. Even though the Kings are 3-1 against Chicago this season, you’re still dealing with a club that beholds a plethora of weapons that are a threat at any time. If the Kings find themselves in 7th, it’s a first round date with the Blues – and they’re extremely vulnerable right now.

The Blues, who haven’t won a postseason game since 2004 (against the Sharks, ironically), are tumbling hard with four straight losses in what has been their best season since ’99-’00. This would put the Kings on the road against a team that is dealing with an overwhelming degree of home-ice pressure; an overdue playoff-hungry home fanbase can be more difficult to play under than those in an opposing building.

For some odd reason, I’m liking a 1st Round date with the St. Louis Blues more so than a Pacific Division title. Also, take into effect the Kings have fared a bit better on the road than at Staples Center during the postseason the past couple of years.

We’re totally f*cked and in over our heads!! Meet me at Applebee’s!

There are a few key things the Kings must bring out of tonight’s game, even if it isn’t a couple of points.

- You’d like to see Jonathan Quick head into the postseason with a better performance than he had on Thursday, in which he allowed five goals on 31 shots.

- The Kings are 27-6-3 in games when a defenseman records a goal. Alec Martinez continued his hot path with another tally on Thursday, spreading out the offensive output must continue.

- Don’t get pushed around. The Kings, although matching San Jose on the scoreboard for the most part on Thursday, got taken advantage of in the physicality department. If the Sharks can find advantage in using their bodies, you’re providing them with an extremely useful asset their roster is used to keying on.

There’s no love lost

In game #82

 

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