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2010-11 Los Angeles Kings Year-In-Review: Evaluating The Forwards

2010-11 YEAR IN REVIEW: Part 1 of a series.


Anze Kopitar (right) and Justin Williams (left) led the way among Los Angeles Kings’ forwards this season.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings suffered an earlier than desired exit from the 2010-11 season, when they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks, who won the series 4-2.

To be sure, another first round exit from the post-season party was not what the Kings had in mind this year, as expectations, both their own and just about everyone else’s, was for them to at least advance to the second round.

Although they faced extenuating circumstances that affected their ability to enjoy post-season success, namely, the loss of leading scorer and top defensive forward Anze Kopitar to a devastating ankle injury in late March, the Kings showed that if they had the discipline to adhere to their system and structure, they could have won that series, advancing to the Western Conference Semi Finals. Given that, it doesn’t matter how you slice it. The fact remains that the Kings did not meet expectations for the 2010-11 season. Read more of this post

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Rough, Physical Play Showing That LA Kings Are A Team, Perhaps Now More Than Ever Before

LA Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell drops the gloves with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie on
November 4, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Photo: Newscom

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — To this point in the 2010-11 season, if anything is clear about the Los Angeles Kings, it is that other teams view them as one of the best teams in the NHL, and that is showing up in terms of physical play, as many opponents are going into games against the Kings trying to get them off their game through physical intimidation.

To be sure, despite the fact that right wing Kevin Westgarth, the Kings’ heavyweight enforcer, has not been in a fight yet this season, perhaps due to the fact that he broke Colorado Avalanche heavyweight David Koci’s jaw in a pre-season scuffle back in September, teams seem to be going into games against the Kings with the intent of knocking them around, both with big hits and their fists.

“There were a few hits, a few confrontations,” head coach Terry Murray said after his team’s very physical 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 4. “A little old time hockey with the scrums that were going on. It was a very competitive game out there—two first place teams. The battle heats up.” Read more of this post

LA Kings Find Their Power Play In 6-4 Win At Colorado On NHL Video

Brad Richardson recorded the first hat trick of his National Hockey League career to lead the Los Angeles Kings to a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center in Denver on October 23.

Richardson started the game centering the Kings’ fourth line and scored his first goal while centering Brayden Schenn and Kevin Westgarth. But he was moved up to left wing on the first line with center Anze Kopitar and right wing Dustin Brown during the second period, replacing Andrei Loktionov.

Richardson made the most of his opportunities, scoring two goals in the third period, one of them a shorthanded goal not long after the Avs scored during a five-minute major power play, the result of Kings right wing Wayne Simmonds striking Avalanche forward T.J. Galliardi with the butt end of his stick.

The Kings also found their power play in the game, scoring twice on five power play opportunities. Read more of this post

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