Last Season
I am a Ducks fan so it may come off a shocking when I say that I actually like the Kings. The Kings earn my respect because when they get to the meaningful games, they step up and get the job done. The Kings also won the cup just 2 years ago as an 8th seed, in fact they were the lowest seeded team in the whole NHL playoffs! Surprisingly, the Kings being an 8th seed wasn't what shocked everybody when they won the cup, they were dominant, winning all 16 games while only losing 4. As much as I respect The Kings, I did not like them in the playoffs . This year, in 3 of their series' they faced elimination, once at the hands of the Sharks, a team who was on the verge of SWEEPING the Kings! The Kings seemed like a team who were bound to be eliminated, they had to be too tired, they weren't as good as the Ducks or Hawks, but no, they stepped up like the studs that they are and closed out each series, only one of them lasting less than 7 games.
Reasons why they will make the playoffs and do damage again
Dustin Brown- This guy is a tough mofo, he sticks up for his teammates, and plays a bump and grind type of game while still scoring timely goals to contribute on the scoring sheet. DB is one of the top captains in the league and has 2 rings to prove this, he leads by example and is just a stand up dude.
Anze Kopitar- I know Luke may not agree with me here but I'll say it anyways, Kopitar is the best 2 way forward in the league, and if you do not agree then we can all confidently say he's in at least the top 3 with Toews, and Bergy. Kopitar plays very well in the defensive zone and with his big body can power to the net and score some filthy goals. Expect Kopitar to put up around 70+ points this season and set himself up as a Selke candidate.
Jonathan Quick- JQ is a CT boy and went to College at the same time as my brother at the University of Massachusetts, shoutout to my bro Tyler Carroll! Jonathan Quick lives up to his name, he is a big goaltender, weighing over 200 pounds and around 6' feet tall but can moves like water. it is legitimately hard to describe how JQ makes some of his saves, on several occasions such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73HV0lq5vh8 actually look like magic tricks. JQ has a badass attitude and will go after you if you blow snow on him, take a run at him, and most likely if you steal his chewing tobacco. Quick could be a vezina candidate and will more than likely stand on his head several times this season.
Drew Doughty- DD won an olympic gold at the age of 20 and was also a Norris Trophy finalist for the leagues top D man in that same season. Okay that's all that's really good about him........ oh wait, since then he's won 2 Stanley cups and another olympic gold medal, but that's not really THAT great......oh.... he's still only 24 years old?!? okay, he's pretty damn good. Doughty has been one of the top D men in the league since he entered it at the age of 18 in 08-09. Doughty's accomplishments would be extraordinary if he was a forward, but it usually takes a few seasons for defensemen to adjust to life as a pro, he kind of decided to skip that part. Doughty jumps into the rush and can score a good amount of points for a defensemen. Expect 40+ points, over 20+ minutes per game and for DD to be a Norris trophy finalist.
Daryl Sutter- Sutter is like the rain man of coaching, he leads mediocre regular season teams to Cup championships, will probably come close to the same this year (hopefully not getting past the Ducks again) I couldn't tell you what he says to pump his players up, because I literally don't know what he is saying. Sutter seems like a cool dude, he works on his ranch in the off season and has a no f's given type of attitude. DS is an awesome coach who has the accolades to back it up.
Depth- The Kings are a big team, 4 lines of forwards and 3 defense pairings worth of "we're gonna beat the crap out of you and then outscore you" type of big. The Kings are well conditioned and will out play you, out work you from top to bottom. This team features Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Jonathan Quick, they're a stacked team that can and will outlast teams with only 1 or 2 good lines. Expect the Kings to be in the top 3 of the Pacific division once again along with those 2 other teams from Cali.
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