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

Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter (right), shown here with defenseman Drew Doughty (left), during a recent practice session.
(click to view a larger image).
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — With the Los Angeles Kings set to face their Pacific Division rival, the Phoenix Coyotes, in the 2012 Western Conference Finals—just the second time in the Kings’ 44-year history that they have reached the conference finals—many are still shaking their heads, blown away at the dominance the Kings have displayed in dispatching the Vancouver Canucks in five games, followed by a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues in the second round.

The Kings have accomplished all that by getting solid contributions from throughout their lineup, as 15 players have scored goals in the post-season, and their top players have outplayed their counterparts by a wide margin.

As much as the focus has been on the stellar performances of right wing Dustin Brown, center Anze Kopitar, and goaltender Jonathan Quick, Darryl Sutter has had a tremendous impact Read more of this post

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Frozen Royalty’s Gann Matsuda Talks LA Kings and the NHL Playoffs On Cable Radio Network, April 16, 2012

On April 16, 2012, Frozen Royalty’s Gann Matsuda appeared on The PM Show with Michael Horn, on Cable Radio Network, talking about the Los Angeles Kings’ improbable success in the first round of the National Hockey League playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks, who trail the Kings in the series, 3-0. Read more of this post

Even With 2-0 Series Lead, Los Angeles Kings Know They Need To Be Much Better

Los Angeles Kings right wing and team captain Dustin Brown says his team needs to improve heading into Game 3 of their first
round playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks.
Photo: David Sheehan

EL SEGUNDO, CA — After returning to the Los Angeles area with a surprising 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven, quarter final round playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks, winners of the President’s Trophy for earning the best record in the National Hockey League this season, one might expect to see huge smiles, lots of laughter, and joking around by the players, showing excitement, and even joy, about their good fortune so far in the playoffs.

But instead of floating on Cloud Nine, the Kings appear to have their feet planted firmly on the ground, knowing that despite having a considerable lead in the series, they did not play all that well in Game 2 on April 13, in Vancouver.

“If you look at Game 2, we had too many turnovers,” said right wing and team captain Dustin Brown. “They had some good chances [off those turnovers], and [goaltender Jonathan] Quick had to make some big saves. We turned the puck over just inside our blue line, [instead of] getting pucks out.”

“I thought we turned too many pucks over last night, and gave them a lot of opportunities, which allowed them to play in our zone a whole lot,” said center Mike Richards. “In the first game, we got pucks in deep. We didn’t try to make those [risky] plays in the neutral zone.” Read more of this post

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