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Los Angeles Kings Will Need Repeat Performance From Third and Fourth Lines Against St. Louis Blues

Los Angeles Kings rookie right wing Jordan Nolan (foreground)
has not looked out of place so far in post-season play.
(click to view a larger image).
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Looking back at the Los Angeles Kings’ first round playoff series win over the Vancouver Canucks, the first things that come to mind are the play of right wing Dustin Brown, and goaltender Jonathan Quick.

There was also a series-winning overtime goal scored by center Jarret Stoll, which, by itself, is significant. But that goal has even greater significance when you look below the surface.

“If you look at the series we just finished, if you think about it, you want to handle the three big guys on their team, even though [center] Ryan Kesler didn’t have as a big a year, numbers-wise,” said Kings head coach Darryl Sutter. “Even strength goals—they didn’t score one, the Sedins and [Kesler]. From our side of it, we got five goals from Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner, Trevor Lewis, and Brad Richardson, so it’s not always about stars. In fact, we just showed that it wasn’t.” Read more of this post

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Jeff Carter Isn’t The Only Big Factor In Los Angeles Kings’ Recent Surge

Rookie right wing Jordan Nolan (left), a lowly seventh round draft pick in
2009, has been quite the surprise for the Los Angeles Kings.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — After the first couple of months of the 2011-12 season, if anyone told you that they expected the Los Angeles Kings to be in first place in the Pacific Division and third in the Western Conference this close to the end of the regular season, they probably would have poked your eye out with their rapidly growing nose.

But now, with just eight games left in the regular season, those liars would be prophets, as the Kings are, in fact, on top of the Pacific Division, and in third place in the West after winning their last six games, and earning a 10-3-0 record over their last 13 games. Read more of this post

Los Angeles Kings Need Early-Season Version Of Mike Richards To Return

Center Mike Richards has struggled since returning from a concussion on December 22, 2011. The Los Angeles Kings desperately need him to regain his early-season form.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — With an assist on Dustin Penner’s goal at 17:46 of the second period, giving the Los Angeles Kings their final margin of victory in a 3-1 win at Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, center Mike Richards ended an eight-game point scoring drought.

Richards’ performance in this game may have been his best since returning to the lineup after missing eight games due to a concussion that he suffered on December 1, 2011, when the Kings handed the visiting Florida Panthers a 2-1 defeat.

But since returning on December 22 (a 3-2 shootout win against the Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center in Los Angeles), Richards has been a mere shell of his former self. Read more of this post

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