After a successful season, the Kings are ready for the serious season

Soon enough, the Kings will be hosting the Sharks for Round 1 in LA.  If we look back at the 6 games played between the 2 teams this season, it should be a scoring feat. The Kings won the 6 games with a +19 goals differential (32 GF to 13 GA).  Plus, in the last game, the Kings were able to net 3 PP goals in 5 attempts.  It’s a good sign and a real team effort.  Its always been about the team.

Overall, the team has done great in PP finishing 21.6 % this season but the real improvement was on the PK. It’s obvious that team is built to score goals.  The proof is that the LA Kings are no. 1 in the EHE with 262 goals scored beating Boston by 1 goal scoring 6 in that last game of the season.  They don’t really bother hitting the opposing team with less hits giving total in the league this season.  Skills and speed and desire to win.  That’s the team mantra.  Plus, there is the experience.  One late waiver pickup that some people might questioned is picking up Scott Gomez.  The team was looking at some veteran-ship and experience and that’s what the Alaska native just provided and more.  Kris Newbury was doing a good job but the Kings wanted to have more playoffs and leadership experience in the lineup.  Gomez is counted to be a real factor for the Kings road to the Stanley Cup.  As for the PK, the California team wasn’t the hottest one before Christmas.  Coach Boudreau made some lineup changes and the team started to win.  Even to the point where they won 10 in a row in March.  After a couple of lost and Captain Toews got injured after then Sharks Vlasic slashed him to the ankle, the Kings lost him for 5 games and maybe cost Toews the scoring championship, Coach Boudreau was playing around with his line and trying different stategies.  They have a couple in the back pocket for the playoffs and they know they have some backup palns if something goes bad to the skaters.  We hope not but for sure that another great pickup like Valtteri Filppula that could raise his game when needed.  For sure, he could be a important contributor.  He sure was with the Kings as he collected 27 points in 32 games with +9 rating.  Along Filpulla in the trade came backup goaltender Andrew Hammond. Andrew was so good that he almost got 10 wins in 13 games start.  He added 3 shutout to that making him a valuable asset to have if ever Bernier got tired quickly like he last spring. So aside from wasting a 1^st rounder for Pascal Dupuis, GM Lemyre was clever in getting Filppula, Hammond and Gomez.

As for the playoffs, the Kings are coming in with a 2 game winning streak. A power play that seems that have found his groove and a couple of players that had great season.

-        Toews is the league scoring leader with 44 Goals in 77 GP. 94 points for 2^nd in the league. 8 GWG. +21. 12 PP goals and 58.2 % of face-offs won.

-        Bergeron is probably the best 2^nd line center in the league with 56 assists in 82 GP. 83 points. 7 GWG. +25 and 60.4 % of face-offs won.

-        Nyquist is very dangerous threat with 32 goals in 82 GP. 75 points. +27.

-        Markov scored 15 goals of his 18 goals in PP tied with Erik Karlsson on top of the scoring leader board. He also has 11% S% which important if you compare with Toews that is at 13%.

To these offensive leaders, you could add the old Jagr with 22 goals and more importantly, his 25 +/- differential showing that he is a complete player and care about the defensive game also. Brendan Pirri is easily forgotten but he collected 21 goals and finished with +/-17.

As mentioned earlier, the Kings has some strategies in the waiting if needed and obviously, Coach Boudreau will keep them to himself.  One strange one is that the team will be practicing and getting ready 300 miles away in San Jose after their 6-4 win last night.  The LA Kings have the best away record this season so they plan on travelling only on game day back home so it will feel like a “out of town” game for them. The team is ready to do everything to win and that include Jonathan Toews growing his beard back (that could be scary) for the playoffs to follow Brent Burns chewbacca look and Jagr mullet.

Good luck to everyone in the playoffs!