EL SEGUNDO, CA — On November 5, the day after the Los Angeles Kings won their first road game of the season in Dallas, the top priority was not about how to build on that win. The reason: it was also the day after right wing Justin Williams suffered what could have been a serious... Continue Reading →
LA Kings 2014 Training Camp: Day 2 – The Hunger To Win It All Again, Or Just To Redeem Oneself
EL SEGUNDO, CA — With defenseman Drew Doughty still a no-show on the ice at the Los Angeles Kings 2014 training camp due to an upper body injury and with players and coaches refusing to comment on the status of Kyle Clifford (wrist), Jonathan Quick (wrist), and Jarret Stoll (hip), who are all recovering from... Continue Reading →
Frozen Royalty Audio: LA Kings 2014 Training Camp – Day 2 Interviews
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Day 2 of the Los Angeles Kings 2014 training camp has come and gone with very similar story lines compared to Day 1 on September 19. On both days, players touched on their goals for the season and about the chance they have to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. But on... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Justin Williams Emerged As Clear-Cut Choice For Conn Smythe Trophy
LOS ANGELES — Heading into the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and right wing Justin Williams appeared to have put some distance between themselves and a small handful of teammates who were also in the conversation for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Justin Williams: “Just Win” and “Puck Luck Is For Cop-Outs”
EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings had a long night after their 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 4 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final in New York on June 11.Indeed, the Kings headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport right after the game, boarding their charter for the nearly... Continue Reading →
LA Kings: Dean Lombardi’s Gamble On Justin Williams Is Paying Off Many Times Over
LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — Back in early March 2009, when the Los Angeles Kings acquired veteran right wing Justin Williams, many people, including yours truly, expressed concern about the deal, given Williams’ lengthy injury history. Indeed, before joining the Kings, Williams had played a full, 82-game season just twice. From 2000-01 to... Continue Reading →
LA Kings And NY Rangers: 2014 Stanley Cup Final Preview/Prediction
LOS ANGELES — After eight months, the National Hockey League has finally reached the peak of its crescendo, with the New York Rangers here on the left coast to face-off against the Los Angeles Kings in 2014’s quest for hockey’s version of the Holy Grail, the Stanley Cup. Players, head coaches and general managers of... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Have 77 Reasons To Be Comfortable, Confident Heading Into Game 7 In Chicago
2014 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL - GAME 7: The last thing the Los Angeles Kings wanted to do was return to Chicago for Game 7 of the Western Conference Final. But even though they’re in the Windy City, preparing for tonight’s game, they are doing so with comfort and confidence. Final segment of a two-part story.... Continue Reading →
2014 Western Conference Final – Game 7: LA Kings Make Unwanted Trip Back To Chicago
2014 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL — GAME 7: The Los Angeles Kings are back in Chicago, a place they did not want to return to, not this soon, anyway. Despite that, they’re not uncomfortable being back in the Windy City for tonight’s Game 7. Part 1 of this two-part story looks back at Game 6, and... Continue Reading →
Game 5 vs. Chicago Is Likely To Be The LA Kings Toughest Challenge Yet During 2014 Playoffs
LOS ANGELES — After the Los Angeles Kings soundly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-2, in Game 4 of the 2014 Western Conference Final at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 26, many media, pundits and fans alike declared the Blackhawks dead, and the series over. The Blackhawks are trailing in the series, 3-1, facing... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Point To Mental Toughness, Confidence As Key Factors In Their Playoff Success
LOS ANGELES — After their 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on May 18, the Los Angeles Kings were focused on what they needed to be better at in Game 2 on May 21. “I think we can do a better job of getting in front of... Continue Reading →
2014 NHL Western Conference Final Preview: LA Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks
ANAHEIM AND LOS ANGELES, CA — At this time one year ago, the Los Angeles Kings went into the Western Conference Final (WCF) against the Chicago Blackhawks a bruised, battered and banged up team, as several players continued to play despite having suffered injuries earlier in the playoffs. To make matters worse, center Anze Kopitar... Continue Reading →