Jonathan Quick

Series Preview: (2) Blues vs. (7) Kings

April 28, 2012

Just as everyone expected, the Los Angeles Kings quickly dispatched of the President’s Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks in five games. Also (and just as expected) was the latter squad’s complete no-show on offense, perpetual state of disarray on defense and lack of physicality in nearly every single one of the five games. What took place last week was a meltdown of an unacceptable degree. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

However (!), just because Vancouver lost the series does not mean Los Angeles didn’t deserve to advance. Vezina Trophy candidate (and deserving winner) Jonath...

Who Are You Rooting For?

April 27, 2012

Shane Blackburn

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As a hockey fan first, and an Islander fan second I am still able to watch and enjoy the playoffs even though the Islanders are not involved. Now my question to all the Islander fans who read this blog (don't worry I'll give my answer too) is who are you rooting for in the second round of these playoffs. Whether it be your second favorite team, or your significant other's team or just a team you've always liked but won;t admit to it who are you backing? (Photo Credit: The Business of Sports)

Checkmate: Kings eliminate Canucks; move on to 2nd round for first time since 2001

April 23, 2012

Hockeybroad

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The odds were on Vancouver's side, but the fates favored the Kings.

After winning the President's Trophy for the second year in a row, it seemed possible for the Canucks to make another deep Cup run. After all, they were 60 minutes from taking it all last year, losing 5-2 in the Cup Final vs. the Bruins.

The Canucks made some trades and decisions over the summer that made the difference in the late season. German defenseman Christian Ehrhoff - who put up 50 points for Vancouver in 2010-11 - was allowed to become a UFA last summer; he signed with the Buffalo Sabres. The Canucks also traded away Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm to the Florida Panthers, and rec...

TCL Round 1 Staff Predictions: Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings

April 11, 2012

TCL Staff

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( 1 ) VANCOUVER CANUCKS vs. ( 8 ) LOS ANGELES KINGS

The Vancouver Canucks aren't exactly the most liked team in the NHL, especially after the antics of both their players and their fans in last year's playoffs. Add to that their injuries and woes this season (despite finishing first in the West), and you'll have a hard time finding too many people openly cheering for them to go too far this year. But it's hard to deny their depth and their talent. Luongo not playing well? No problem, you've got Schneider. Daniel Sedin still out with a concussion? Plenty of forwards to try and ease the pain. But on the other side of the ice is a hungry Los Angel...

Is the Sixth Seed Detroit's Best Hope?

April 1, 2012

A.K. Bennett

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It may be difficult for some fans to acknowledge but Detroit is faltering in the late stages of the season and are looking less and less like a true playoff contender. Detroit is 2-6-2 in its last 10 games and has not regained its form since the return of Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen and Howard.

The Nashville Predators beat Detroit easily 4-1 Friday night thanks to the strong play of Pekka Rinne and production from their recent additions. The Red Wings quickly lost their outside chance to catch the St. Louis Blues and take the Central Division title for themselves and are now one point behind Nashville and tied with Chicago, however the Wings do have a game in hand. Detroit is 2-3 aga...

Kings Reclaim Division Lead with 1-0 Shootout Victory

March 23, 2012

Ty Fisher

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Hard to imagine where Kings might be without this man. HINT- Picture last place. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

A defensive and goaltending battle for the ages went down to the wire Thursday night at the Staples Center as the Los Angeles Kings earned a 1-0 shootout victory over the Western Conference-leading St. Louis Blues.

The only three “goals” of the evening, courtesy of Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and T.J. Oshie, came in the shootout. L.A.’s Jonathan Quick was rewarded with the win thanks to his thirty-five save effort—it was also the goaltender’s eighth shutout of the season...

Kings Win 5th Straight, Slide into 8th Place

March 21, 2012

Ty Fisher

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Anze Kopitar and the Kings win their fifth straight for the first time this year. (photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Needless to say, the Kings offense is certainly clicking at the right time. With a 5-2 win over division rival San Jose Tuesday night, Los Angeles improved their record to 9-3 since the addition of Jeff Carter and vaulted themselves back into the playoff picture for the first time in over a week. With nine games left in the season, the Kings are tied with Phoenix for the eighth seed with eighty-four points.

Mike Richards (who, after an extended post-Christmas slump) netted his third goal of the month...

Kings Batter Slumping Red Wings 5-2

March 14, 2012

Ty Fisher

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With two wins in a row and twelve games to go, Los Angeles sits in tenth place in the Western Conference. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)

Less than a week after surrendering a late 3-2 lead against these same Detroit Red Wings, the Kings came out of the gates firing and dominated play for the majority of the clock’s sixty minutes. Five different Kings recorded the team’s five goals en route to a resounding 5-2 win Tuesday night at the Staples Center.

An injury-plagued Detroit team may have been just what the doctor ordered for L.A. The Red Wings are still playing without key contrib...

Kings seek home ice revenge against Detroit

March 13, 2012

Eric Huffman

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Last time the Detroit Red Wings played the Los Angeles Kings, things ultimately went their way.

After being down 3-2 in the 2nd period, the Wings turned it up and got some late game heroics from Valterri Filppula and Darren Helm. On home ice, that seems to be the way the Wings get things done.

Now, the the 4th ranked Red Wings (Western conference) have to perform on the road, a task that has been less than stellar all season. The Kings will be looking to capitalize on the opportunity.

The Wings are not hopeless though, as they will have their all-star goalie Jimmy Howard back in net, after being out with an injured finger. Howard is third in the NHL in wins.

The Ki...

Kings Stifled by Predators, Lose 2-1

February 28, 2012

Ty Fisher

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Dustin Brown was held to just one goal coming off the heels of his hat trick Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

The Kings had previously recorded four goals last Wednesday night against Colorado, an offensive output which they have only eclipsed three other times all season long. On this night however, inconsistency reared its ugly head once again as the team netted only one in a 2-1 loss against the Nashville Predators.

Of course, it certainly didn’t hurt the Predators to place Pekka Rinne between the pipes for one of his finest performances of the season. The Finnish goaltend...