The regular season for the Los Angeles Kings is over, and thank your favorite spiritual being(s) that this year's finish was better than last year. At the end of last year, people couldn't give tickets away. That is how L.A. rolls though. If a team isn't competitive, fans won't bother to show up. There is one exception to that rule, and a very important one if you are the team previously known as the San Diego Chargers. That exception is that even if the Raiders are not competitive, every time they play in Los Angeles, the hoards of the Raider Nation will proudly dominate the stadium, reminding everyone, and forever driving a thorn into the side of the NFL, that Los Angeles is the home of Raider Nation, and it always will be. This is largely an exception because the Raiders don't regularly play in Southern California, so it becomes an event. Even the ubiquitous Lakers struggle with attendance (not ticket sales) when the team isn't performing well. The Dodgers might experience something similar, though, despite not winning a championship since 1988, have been extremely competitive over the last thirty years. Well, that, and things like walking through the tunnel on a clear day at Dodger stadium to see the infield give way the green sea of perfect turf unfurling toward the hills of Chavez Ravine which is back dropped by the majesty of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, a view unrivaled in all of sports, that keep at least some of the faithful in their seats. The bottom line is, that teams in L.A. have to be competitive, and despite finishing as a wild card, the Kings, and more specifically several individual players rewarded us with a strong finish to the regular season (last game not withstanding).
El Jefe is back. Playing in only 27 games this season, he scored 22 points, 13 of which were goals. Carter has brought balance back to the force. The Kings goals per game rose significantly upon his return. He is an instant scoring threat that puts increased pressure on other teams, making match ups increasingly difficult, thus opening opportunities for other players.
Jules "You sending the Wolf?"
Marcellus Wallace "You feel better M@th3r F#%r?"
Jules "Sh!7 N3gr@. That's all you had to say.
When thinking about Jonathan Quick, I tend to think of the fixer from Pulp Fiction, The Wolf. No matter how bad the mess, if anyone can fix it, Quick can. He's done it all year long, and despite a defense that has often looked tragic, his goals against was in the top 10 at 2.4 gpg and 5 shutouts. When quick is in net, Kings fans react much the way that Jules did, "...That's all you had to say."
If the Kings are going to make a run, the bottom half of the roster must contribute in a significant manner. By giving quality shifts and creating solid pressure in the offensive zone, not only do they relieve the pressure on Quick, but increase the pressure on other teams. Pressure eventually turns into goals, something they have proven over the last month of the season. They won't ever be a scoring juggernaut, but their solid play, pressure, and scoring threat makes the Kings a much more imposing opponent.
Big time players rise to the occasion, and Brownie is back. Against the Avalanche last week, he was a beast, wreaking havoc on every shift, checking, pulling off imitations of Datsyuk, and ripping a shorty into the top corner. He wasn't satisfied with that though. Against the Wild, he only tossed in four goals. When his scoring touch is in tune, the top line is a nightmare, especially with the youthful Iafallo doing so much of the hard skating, dirty work.
The first round will be a challenge. Fleury is legit, and the team play by Vegas is solid, bordering on excellent in every aspect. These are the playoffs however, and the Kings have the edge in Championship experience. They know how to win down 3 games to 0. They know how to win high pressure game sevens? It is time to put up, or shut up.
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