.

They’re climbing the Western Conference standings, and are now traveling North up the Pacific’s coast. The Kings’ upcoming quick two-game road swing isn’t the only regional topic this club is running with.

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

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

*NEW KingsCastTV – Simon Gagne traded to Philadelphia Flyers

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

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

Consider the Kings rolling.

Don’t sleep on it

Unless you’ve gone sick from seeing it.

Maybe so

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

Considering This

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

Can’t stop, don’t stop

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bern, baby burn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darryl Sutter knows the tools he’s working with.

Dean Lombardi also knows what he’s doing.

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

A Stoll through Vancouver

 Remember Me?

Just passing by

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

Episode 181 KingsCast TV: Simon Gagne traded to Philadelphia – HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

.

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

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?

.

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

The hockey offseason continues with another compilation of the best “See Ya!” segments from Season 3 of KingsCast (2011/2012). Say goodbye to players such as Ethan Moreau, teams like the Vancouver Canucks & New Jersey Devils and much more! Presented in official KingsCast Los Angles Kings fashion with the popular, long running comedy segment.

Back after a lengthy Stanley Cup hangover hiatus, it’s KingsCast! Here with a compilation of the best Top 5/Top 10 lists from Season 3 of the smash hit hockey video show (2011-2012). Relive the ups and downs of the Los Angeles Kings championship season through comedic commentary on hockey fans, coaches, players, cities and opposing NHL teams.

The Los Angeles Kings, for only the second time in club history, are in the Western Conference Finals. Bloggers are in crunch mode getting their content out quickly. Here’s a nice recap of some of the stories from Gann Matsuda’s Frozen Royalty on the playoffs thus far. Head on over to his blog and give these stories a read:

From Murray To Sutter: What’s Changed For The Los Angeles Kings? Link here.

Los Angeles Kings: Doughty’s Maturity Starting To Show In Post-Season. Link here.

Los Angeles Kings: No, That Guy Wearing Number 25 Is Not An Impostor. Link here.

Los Angeles Kings Can’t Rely On Gift-Wrapped Wins In Post-Season. Link here.

Don’t forget to follow @frozenroyalty for the latest stories from Gann. Believe me, you’ll get them quicker there!

.

Win tomorrow night – that would be the sh*t. But seriously, don’t let it get too close.

You can hardly call Game 4′s loss a failure, considering the fact the Kings are still strong suited with a 3-1 series lead – that’s something you’d gawk at the opportunity of having before this postseason tilt even began.

It’s just another chance to close things out when we’re talking Game 5, this time without the over-anxiety stemming from the ‘sweep’ hype, and the NHL history it involved. Yes, the 8th-seed club may have held a little more pressure on the shoulders than the 1st for a moment or two Wednesday night.

For now, it’s about finishing Vancouver as quickly as possible, they will get scarier with each progressive contest, which means Game 5 is the Kings’ best fit.

Bright spot – Kopi shot

It’s safe to say the Kings outplayed the Vancouver Canucks when looking at Game 4 as a whole, but they failed to turn that into scoreboard proof with a shaky 2nd period, one that started with a penalty you really don’t like to see a player take this time of year. Colin Fraser‘s 4th line played outstanding, but his leg-check penalty taken just three minutes into the middle frame sparked Vancouver’s troubling offense.

After killing off all of Vancouver’s 14 powerplay opportunities in the first three games of the series, it would faulter in Game 3, the Kings allowing two man-advantage tallies – the first of those converted during Colin Fraser‘s penalty.

Special teams proved to figure into the winning matter again, but the Kings on the wrong side of things this time. While running into trouble on the penalty kill, they ran into a more disciplined Vancouver team, which also committed just three penalties – all of which the Kings failed to capitalize on.

Closing time

And that time was finally decided upon early on Saturday. Due to concert arrangements at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, this series took a halt for four days, a drastically long time for a playoff series. And due to Television agreements, the time of Sunday’s game was decided the day prior – a decent fortune for the Kings, who get a later start – 5PM Pacific.

The four day hiatus seems to favor the Canucks, who get more time to aid to Daniel Sedin‘s return to the roster, and more time to build off of their second grasp at playoff life with Game 4′s victory. However, the Kings didn’t seem to buy much out of Vancouver’s push, continuing to hound the Canucks throughout the second half of Wednesday night’s contest.

Their problem was Corey Schneider, who has stopped 62 of 64 Kings shots since taking over for Roberto Luongo in Game 3. The Kings biggest feat in tomorrow night’s game could very well be putting more than two goals past Schneider, which for when you’re playing in front of Jonathan Quick, deems to be some very solid insurance.

Brad Richardson‘s return sparked the Kings’ fourth line more so than I expected it to, arguably the most predominant combination in Game 4. The no-namers chimed in with stunning play, Dwight King, Colin Fraser, and Brad Richardson combining for six shots and 11 hits. A heavy physical presence bodes well against the Canucks in their zone, which has seemed to be the major factor in establishing control on the offensive zone for the Kings. The 4th line didn’t just get the puck into Canucks’ territory, they kept it there.

Kyle Clifford will be out, again. It seems indefinite at this point.

I noted the extra days off in between games favored Vancouver, but hopefully it also has some effect on the rehabilitation of Jeff Carter, who has almost been a complete non-factor for the Kings offensively. After a nice start to the series with two assists in Game 1, Carter has plummeted under the radar with 0 points in the last three contests, carrying a musky -3 rating. A Jeff Carter with a good ankle doesn’t just open up options through his own skill, but that of his linemates – most notably Mike Richards.

Two major performers in Game 5 for the Kings last season were Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds, albeit under much different circumstances. Both players will be missed, and for obvious different reasons. Who fills the void, and repeats the Game 5 playoff trend tomorrow night?

Clifford, the Red Light Dog

Crunch time

Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 154 HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube

The Los Angeles Kings were poised to make history last night by sweeping the Vancouver Canucks. And, well, they didn’t. Cory Schneider lead the Canucks to a win and it will be back to British Columbia for Game 5. Question of the Day: Who will be the hero for Game 5?

.

Predict this happening, and it’s a sure ‘no’. Don’t look now; But, Oh!

This isn’t real; Hold up now, yes it is.

The Kings have pulled the unthinkable in winning each of the first three games in this Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the Vancouver Canucks, now sitting pretty with a commanding 3-0 series lead, just one win away from advancing to the second round.

If the Kings are to notch one more victory in this series, it would be the first time they have advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals since April of 2001, a humbling 11-year streak that is now being heavily threatened.

If you think changing franchise history is a big deal, think about breaking NHL history. Never has an 8th seed team beat a 1st seed team in four consecutive games, and this 2011-2012 Kings roster has an extremely valid shot at being the first to ever do so. With a win tomorrow night, they will accomplish that never-before touched feat.

And you ask yourselves why it’s happened, but that’s not a very good question, because it’s just Dustin Brown. Again, the guy plays an outstandingly marvelous game Sunday night just like he has all series. Brown, who led the Kings in shots in Game 1, nailed the series opener’s coffin shut with his empty-net goal. Brown assisted Jarret Stoll on the game-winner in Game 2, this after potting two short-handed goals himself. And of course, Captain California sends Vancouver to the brink with his Game 3 jam-shot.

Trainnn Hornnn

 

There’s no way you can leave Jonathan Quick out of this equation, who turned away a whopping 41 Vancouver shots in rout to earning his first career NHL postseason shutout. Quick withheld the Canucks from having any luck in the only extended period of time they’ve outplayed the Kings this entire series, the Canucks outshooting the Kings 25-11 through the first 40 minutes. After saving the Kings from a sub-par first two periods, Quick took his heaviest load of shots (16) in the 3rd – protecting Dustin Brown‘s lone tally.

Game 3 was the type of game the Kings had been playing all season long. Slow starts, little-to-no offense, and a 1-goal game. There’s a reason why they’re used to these, and why the nerves are mellow in these situations right now, and that’s goaltending – Jonathan Quick. Quick has sufficed in maintaining hope for the Kings with lackluster goal scoring all season long, and the defense is comfortable in playing in front of him in those situations.

In Games 1 and 2, the Kings outsourced success to the special teams. On Monday night, they did it the old fashioned way.

Smiles at the Stape

With Monday night’s Game 3 victory, the Kings snapped their five-game playoff losing streak at Staples Center. Their previous postseason win in Los Angeles, which dates back to April 19, 2010, was also their only playoff win at Staples Center since 2002. This takes the bite off of their 1-5 record in home confines during the past two playoff appearances.

Bad ice, could be nice: The intersection at Figueroa and Chick Hearn hosted an NBA contest before Monday’s game, and the ice conditions were absolutely brutal. Quite frankly, I’m surprised the NHL didn’t take action. But, then again, there’s little you can change when the venue is Staples Center, you’re lucky enough to find a schedule opening with two NBA teams. The Lakers game prior to the Kings’ date went into overtime, putting more pressure on the ice surface, and less time for breathing room before puck-drop.

As much as I’m sure many Kings players hate it, this very well could be playing into their favor. The Vancouver Canucks have some of the NHL‘s best ice at Rogers Arena; the Kings, historically some of the worst. However, it’s much easier to transition onto well-manicured ice than it is to adapt to a soft, slow surface.

Also take into consideration how often the Kings play clubs in the Pacific Division as opposed to how often the Canucks do. Ice conditions don’t get a whole lot better in San Jose, Anaheim, Phoenix, or Dallas.

The Kings are used to bad ice conditions, the Canucks aren’t. This slows down the game for opposition, which allows the Kings to prone on their physical play with slower, more hesitant puck movement. A bad bounce or two for the Kings, and it’s just another game at home. A bad bounce or two for Vancouver, and it can have mental effects.

Looking at Game 4

– The Canucks chipped Daniel Sedin a plane ticket to Los Angeles yesterday in hopes of him rejoining their roster tomorrow night. Sedin, who’s been out since March 22 with a concussion, is tabbed to be a ‘game time’ decision. Tab this as an act of serious desperation, tab Daniel Sedin as a ‘non-factor’.

– Brad Richardson will be back in the lineup for the Kings tomorrow night, fully recovered from his appendectomy. Richardson is slated to skate alongside Colin Fraser and Jordan Nolan on the fourth line. Richardson, who posted three points in four games before hitting the IR, could be of use tomorrow night if he brings a little postseason magic like he did in last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinals with five points in six games.

– Feel comfortable? I think not. This club has exemplified what it means to be humble during this playoff stretch:

“It’s very possible for a team to come back, down 3-0. You’ve seen it happen so many times. We’ve got to make sure we close it out tomorrow. We’re in our home barn. We have our home fans. They’ve been great for us so far, and we’re sleeping in our own beds every night. We have no excuse not to play our best game of the series, coming up tomorrow. We have to.” – Drew Doughty via Rich Hammond

– Finish ‘em.

Grinnin ‘n winnin’

.

Flirting with history, flirting with the 2nd Round – like it’s 2001

Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 153 HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on  —  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Youtube