Hollywood Hockey Kings Reborn

The 1992-93 Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles sports scene has been historically dominated by the Lakers and the Dodgers. Meanwhile, the city's hockey team the Kings were hardly embraced ever since they joined the NHL in 1967. They came so close to a Stanley Cup title once, and that was when captain Dustin Brown was still in elementary school. However, the resurgence of the Kings was highly noticed by Hollywood celebrities and non-traditional fans alike, and it showed in its unlikely run to the Western Conference Finals this year.

The Kings' journey didn't come easy. They fired coach Terry Murray in December, then a few weeks later Darryl Sutter came in. The Kings were struggling with their offense, despite goalie Jonathan Quick's brilliance on net. Even after finishing in eighth place with 95 points, good enough for a playoff berth, many critics gave the Kings a little chance for their lack of scoring. 

Then Dustin Brown went wild on the Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks in the first round. The Canucks, whose 111 points led the NHL, were led by the Sedin twins Daniel and Henrik, and were last year's Stanley Cup finalists. However, their high-scoring offense was stalled by Quick and the Kings defense. Brown scored four total goals, including two short-handed tallies in Game 2. The Kings won the first two games in Vancouver before Brown's lone tally preserved a Game 3 shutout back home. Though Daniel Sedin's return from concussion helped Vancouver avoid a sweep, Jarret Stoll's overtime goal sealed the Canucks shut on their home ice in Game 5. 

The Kings then faced the St. Louis Blues, whose 165 goals allowed were a league-low. The Kings' goalie duo of Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak have been steady and dangerous behind the net, winning the Jennings Trophy for the lowest GAA in the NHL this season. But the Kings were not far behind, finishing second behind the Blues in goals allowed. Many expect the series to be a low-scoring, hard-fought affair.

Instead it was the Blues who found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard. Lucky bounces, short-handed goals, excellent goaltending, and efficient forechecking by the Kings would take its toll on the Blues. Worse, Halak went down hurting in Game 2 of the San Jose series and left Elliott to fend for himself. Matt Greene's short-handed tally in Game 1 and Anze Kopitar's Game 2 shortie made the difference in a four-game sweep. The Kings came out hot late and made the conference finals for the first time since 1993.

Awaiting the Kings will be the winner of Nashville and Phoenix. For now, the Kings take a breather and look forward to a conference final date with either of the two, which will begin in a week's time.