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12/14/11--14:54: Hat-trick in Denver for Anže (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings beated Colorado Avalanche in Denver in a preseason game Wednesday night. Anže Kopitar scored three goals in the LA Kings' 6-0 victory at Pepsi Center.

Scoreless first period lead us to fantastic second period, when Kings managed to score four times. Anže got his first goal of the preseason on a wrist shot from just above the right circle at 5:51 of the second period. Midway through the period, Johnson set up Slava Voynov's slap shot from the left point with Wilson off for interference. Verlamov stopped a shot by Williams. Slovenian hockey player grabbed the rebound and sent it into the net for his second of the night, with 3:53 left in the period. Moment later Richardson, former Avalanche player, made 4-0.

Williams, who played together with Kopi and Gagne in first line, made it 5-0 57 seconds into the third period. Anže completed his first hat-trick of the season at 9:19 in third. Jonathan Quick made two acrobatic saves in the last 5:28 of the third for his first shutout. He stopped 27 shots including a breakaway by Kobasew early in the game. Quick had six shutouts in the regular season a year ago.

Kopi played 19:17 minutes, including 4 minutes on PP and 3:17 minutes on SH. He made 5 shots and had 36FO.

Anže postgame quotes: "I was probably thinking about injury a little more in the last game at Staples (Center), because it happened there. That was the only one. It was a non-factor. I’m past that, obviously. I’ve got to look forward. What happened, happened, and I’m all healed up now and that’s the most important thing. There were a couple of almost freebee ones there, the one on the side of the net there. But I’ll take those too. It’s been a while since I scored a goal, so it’s nice to get a few on the board, for sure. The second period, the power play was obviously clicking tonight and when that gets going, the team gets more confidence and we move the puck around, it seems, a little easier. It’s good to see that we got off to a pretty good start, even in the first period. The second period, we really took off and took advantage of the chances.’’

Kings will play their next game on Friday in Arizona against Ducks at 7 pm.

Result:
Colorado Avalanche - Los Angeles Kings 0:6 (0:0, 0:4, 0:2)
Kopitar 26., 37., 50., Voynov 31., Richardson 38., Williams 41.

Stats

Photo by LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Five goals against Wild (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings : Minnesota Wild 5-2. The Kings got scoring contributions throughout their lineup, from fourth line center Colin Fraser to defensemen Alec Martinez and Matt Greene, for only their second win in the past eight games.

They pounced around the net, made life difficult for the opposing goalie and made second efforts in a very Murray-like game in which 12 Kings recorded a point.

The five goals equaled a season-high for the Kings, who carried a 2.3 goals a game average.

Minnesota dropped its second in a row after a five-game winning streak.

Anže: 21:38 Ice time, 3 shots, 46% FO

Result
Minnesota Wild - Los Angeles Kings 2:5 (0:1, 0:4, 2:0)
Clutterbuck 41., Powe 53.; Fraser 3., Martinez 22., Brown 27., Gagne 32., Greene 35.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings win against Blue Jackets (chan 1065742)

The Kings ended their 5 game loosing streak with a win over the Blue Jackets. Ponikarovsky and Mitchell were back in the lineup and Johnson signed a 7 year extension with the Kings.
In the third minute Anze Kopitar made a nice pass to Brown who opened the scoring. Martinez made it 2:0 with a shot from the blue line. Jarret Stoll scored two more and the Kings were up by 4.
The Blue Jacket than scored three unanswered goals and the game was opened again. Calvert intercepted a pass from Brown, the puck went into the crease, Quick tried to play the puck but it trickled over the line. Nash scored to cut the deficite into half. Tyutin made it 4:3. Ryan Smyth scored for LA, but Nash with his second of the game made one goal game again. Just half minute before the end, Williams scored an EN goal to ensure Kings another two points. Anze Kopitar had two shots on goal, added an assist to his stats and played for almost 20 minutes.

Goals:

LAK: Brown (17), Martinez (3), Stoll (10, 11), Smyth (17), Williams (16)

CBJ: Calvert (1), Nash (19, 20), Tyutin (3)


GAME HIGHLIGHTS






12/14/11--14:54: CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT (chan 1065742)

Anze Kopitar with SKB societe generale group will organize a charity golf tournament on a royal golf course Bled. On saturday june 11th Anze and other celebrities will join for a great cause. More info on official golf web page.
http://skb2011.anzeseleven.com/sl/





12/14/11--14:54: Kings win, series tied (chan 1065742)

Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty are the heroes of the game 2 in HP Pavilion at San Jose. The Kings won 4:0, Jonathan kept his goal untouched and Drew scored two goals and added two assits for the big win.
In the first period the Kings scored twice with a man advantage. First goal was scored by Johnson who scored from the left point and beat Niemi. Doughty made it 2:0 later on in the period and seven second left in the PP. In the second period Doughty added another one and the Kings were up by three. Kyle Clifford scored in the third period on an assist by Richardson and Doughty who tied the franchise playoff record by a defenseman set by Paul Coffey in 1992. Jonathan Quick earned the first shutout by a Kings goalie since 2002 when Felix Potvin blanked Colorado 1-0 in Game 5 of a first-round series. He made 34 saves.
The series is now heading to LA, on tuesday and thursday the games will be at Staples Center.

Goals:

LAK: Johnson (1), Doughty (1, 2), Clifford (1)

SJS: /





12/14/11--14:54: Kings snap losing streak (chan 1065742)

There's finaly some sun in LA. After losing streak Kings win home game against Predators.
Kings 4 - Predators 3





12/14/11--14:54: Kings hold to a point in PIT (chan 1065742)

The Kings are on their longest trip this season. They stopped in Pitsburgh to play gainst the Penguins who are hawing a lot of problems becouse of injuries. Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz, Letestu... are all out.
Sterling gave Pens the lead in the first period with his first goal as as Penguin and Jarret Stoll tied it later on in the period with his 15th of the season.
Both goaltenders did a great job, Quick stopped 24 shots before Jordan Staal beat him in the OT, just 19 second before the end, and Fleury stopped 32.
Anze Kopitar had two shots on goal and 25 minutes of ice time, his stats stayed the same. The Kings are now heading to Washington to play against Ovechkin and the Capitals.

Goals:

LAK: Stoll (15)

PIT: STerling (1), Staal (4) OT

Game Highlights






12/14/11--14:54: Penguins won in Kansas City (chan 1065742)

In Spirit Center in Kansas City LA Kings lost their third preseason game against Pittsburgh Penguins 2:3 (SO). Anže Kopitar did not play.

For Kings scored Stoll and Martinez, while Penguins got goals from Engelland and Kunitz in last period. Bernier made great job in Kings goal (39/41). After one goal per team in the first three rounds of the shootout, it went to sudden death. Bernier and Fleury traded four saves before, in the eighth round, Fleury stopped Trevor Lewis and Niskanan beat Bernier with a wrist shot.

Kings playing the Colorado Avalanche in Denver with a 6 p.m. Pacific start; with Anže Kopitar.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Pittsburgh Penguins 2:3 (1:0, 0:0, 1:2, 0:0) - SO
Stoll 5., Martinez 53.; Engelland 44., Kunitz 50.

Stats

Photo by LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Win for Kings on last away game (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings won their last away game on the beginning of the new season in NHL. Kings won in Philadelphia 3:2 after OT, when Johnson decided again.

Briere made it 1:0 for Flyers in 3rd minute, but Williams tide it up in 12th from pass by Anže. Kings got the lead in 53rd minute, when Williams made it 2:1. Just 54 seconds later Flyers tided the game, when Carl scored. The two-week journey ended on a happy note, as Johnson scored 1:39 into overtime to give the Kings a 3-2 victory over the Flyers on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center. Anže got an asisst.

Anže played for 26:22 minutes, and almost nine in PP. He had 2 shots and was 57in FO. Next game, first at Staples, come for Kings on Tuesday, 7.30 pm.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Philadelphia Flyers 3:2 (1:1, 0:0, 1:1, 1:0)
Williams 12., 53.; Briere 3., Carl 54.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings won in SO (chan 1065742)

Before the game the Los Angeles Kings were two poins infront of the Calgary Flames. The Kings were on the sixt place and the Flames were 10th in the West.
Kirpusoff started in the goal for Calgary and Quick was in the net for the Kings.
There were no goals in the first 54 minutes of the game as boath goltenders made a great job, Miikka made 27 saves and Jonathan 26. Jarret Stoll gave Kings the lead just 4 minutes and 52 seconds before the end, but the lead did not last long as Jokinen tied the game 65 seconds later. There were also no goals in the OT so the Shutouts decided who was going to win. Stoll and Kopitar scored for the Kings and Quick stopped 2 of 3 atempts. The Kings climbed to the fifth place in the West. Anze Kopitar had 25 minutes of ice time, three shots on goal and won 65 percent of the faceofs.

Goals:

LAK: Stoll (19)

CGY: Jokinen (16)





12/14/11--14:54: Couldn't pass Blues (chan 1065742)

After a perfect road trip the Los Angeles Kings came back home. They played infront of a sellout crowd in Staples Center and lost to the ST. Louis Blues 4:0
In the first period Matt D Agostini scored, and he addeod one more in the second period. After 40 minutes of play, the Kings were with just 6 shots on Halak two goals behind.
Tj Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo scored in the third for the Blues and the game ended with a 4:0 result.
This was 7th straight loss for the Kings against the Blues and fourth straight this season. The Kings are now fifth in the West, two points behind the Phoenix Coyotes.
Anze Kopitar had three shots on goal and 18 minutes and 17 seconds of ice time. His stats stayed the same.

Goals:

LAK: /

STL: D Agostino (16, 17), Pietrangelo (10), Oshie (9)

Game Highlights






12/14/11--14:54: Shark Tank too big (chan 1065742)

The San Jose Sharks won their fourth consecutive Pacific Division crown by crushing the LA Kings in a 6:1 victory.
The Kings are now with 96 points in the Western conference tied with Phoenix and just a point ahead of Nashiville.
In the first period Pavelski and Vlasic scored for San Jose. Michal Handzus scored in the second period to cut down the deficite in half, but just 22 seconds later Welwood made it 3:1
Later on in the period Boyle, Thornton and Setoguchi scored three goals and set the final result 6:1.
There were no goals in the third. Jonathan Bernier replaced Jonathan Quick in the goal for LA after Quick gave up 4 goals on 15 shots.

Goals:

LAK: Handzus (12)

SJS: PAvelski (19), Vlasic (4), Welwood (5), Boyle (8), Thornton (20), Setoguchi (22)


Game Highlights





12/14/11--14:54: Sharks lead series 3:1 (chan 1065742)

The Kings have lost their second home game, this time 6:3. The series is now heading back to San Jose, where the Sharks will hawe a chance to finish it and to knock the Kings out of the playoffs.
After first 20 minutes of play there were no goals, both teams had some nice chances, a two man advantages but could not score.
In the second period Clowe scored twice and Demers added one, so the guests were up by three. Williams and Richardson scored later on for LA to lower the result at 3:2.
In the third and fourth minute of the last period the Sharks scored twice again. Thornton and Pavelski made it 4:2 and 5:2. Mitchell in the 12t minute made it 6:2 and alex Ponikarovsky scored the third goal for the Kings.
Jonathan Quick made 21 saves on the other side Niemi had 35 saves.


Goals:

LAK: Richardson (2), Williams (2), Ponikarovsky (1)

SJS: Clowe (3, 4), Demers (1), Thornton (1), Pavelski (3), Mitchell (1)





12/14/11--14:54: Kopi with 2 goals @ AS11 (chan 1065742)

Kopi scored 2 goals for Team Lidstrom's win 11-10!

VIDEO

more @ LA KINGS





12/14/11--14:54: Kings win home stand Vs. Wild (chan 1065742)

The Kings returned back home to the Staples center after 10 game road trip and won aainst the Minnesota Wild 4:2. The Kings moved to the fifth place in the western conference with their second win in two days.
Wayne Simmonds scored two go ahead goals for LA, first one in the first period, than Nystrom tied the game in the second. Simmonds scored another one later on, but Burns tied the game at 2:2 just 4 second before the end of the second period.
In the third period, first Doughty scored for LA than Kopitar made it 4:2 with an EN goal. Anze played for more than 20 minutes and half, he won 64 percent of the faceoffs and added one goal and one assist to his stats.

Goals:

LAK: Simmonds (10, 11), Doughty (9), Kopitar (19)

MIN: Nystrom (3), Burns (15)

Game Highlights





12/14/11--14:54: Kings burn Oil (chan 1065742)

Second game in 2 days for the Kings and another 2 points.
The Kings stoped this time in Edmonton to play gainst the oilers, former team of veteran Smyth.
In the first period the Oilers outshot Los Angeles 12-5 but Jonathan Quick made 12 of his 32 saves to get the Kings to the first intermission in a scoreless tie. In the second period Paajarvi scored for Edmonton, but just 24 second later Doughty tied it with a PP goal. Later on Doughty added one more on a PP to make it 2:1. Jack Johnson made it 3:1 in the third period. Anze Kopitar had 2 shots on goal and 22 minutes and 13 seconds of ice time. He added one assist to his stats and has now 50 points (16G, 34 A) in 52 games.

Goals:

LAK: Doughty (5, 6), Johnson (5)

EDM: Paajarvi (7)






12/14/11--14:54: Kings lost in Stevans' debut (chan 1065742)

The Los Angeles Kings proved that it's going to take more than a coaching change to fire up their struggling offense.

They could also use fewer games against goaltenders of Tuukka Rask’s caliber.

Boston’s young goaltender stopped 41 shots, including 20 in the third period, to earn his first shutout of the season and second straight win as the Bruins beat the Kings 3-0 Tuesday at TD Garden in John Stevens' debut as the Kings' interim coach.

“He was good tonight, arguably our best player tonight,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said of Rask, who won Boston's previous game Saturday night in Columbus with a flawless third-period relief appearance. “He stood tall and they threw a lot of shots at him, certainly not easy shots to stop. There was a lot of traffic in front of the net, screens. I thought he had the quick feet going. He made the saves on close range and was probably our best player. So he got better as the game went on.”

The Kings kicked off their four-game road trip with their fifth straight loss, a streak that's part of a stretch of nine straight games in which they've failed to score more than two goals. L.A.'s inability to generate enough offense to support their solid goaltending -- the Kings have scored the fewest goals per game in the League -- was one of the main reasons they dismissed Terry Murray as coach on Monday and promoted Stevens.

Stevens saw some signs of life in his team’s offense.

“I do see guys making plays,” he said. “I know [Dustin Brown] had a chance in front all alone and [Simon] Gagne and [Dustin] Penner on a two-on-none. There are some good things happening offensively, but the puck’s not going in. That’s hard on offensive players. If you do the right things on offense, and you don’t score, you kind of want to do things differently. We really need to identify the good things that we did do tonight and make sure that we continue to do them.”

The Bruins were able to overcome the absence of their best defenseman Zdeno Chara (leg) and one of their top penalty-killers, Gregory Campbell (foot). Boston extinguished five Los Angeles power plays, and three defenseman logged more than 20 minutes. Dennis Seidenberg led the team with 27:05 of ice time on the back end.

“They did well. I thought, again, we tried to spread the ice [time] out a little bit. Maybe Seids was a little bit on the higher side, but not by a ton -- maybe a couple minutes more than normal, but that’s expected,” Julien said. “We talked about certain guys having to pick up the slack. But I thought overall our D played well, did a good job. Certainly it wasn’t them as much as our team as a whole probably wasn’t as happy with the space we gave them to skate through the neutral zone and the time that they got to make plays. I thought we were a little bit lazy in that regard. That’s two games in a row now we’ve given up 40 shots, and we need to be a little bit better closing, so we’re certainly going to address that before [Wednesday] night.”

Brad Marchand, who hadn’t scored in five December games before the Kings arrived, filled the net twice after Rich Peverley opened the scoring at 6:32 of the first period with a goal on a backdoor cut and setup by Zach Hamill.

In the second period, Marchand rifled a shot from the top of the left circle after a clean Patrice Bergeron faceoff win. The puck glanced off a Kings player’s stick and beat Jonathan Quick (19 saves) for a 2-0 lead at 7:43.

Marchand again benefited from a Bergeron faceoff win – this one a little bit tougher and requiring a battle near the corner – to complete his second two-goal game of the season. After the win of the draw and a pass from Bergeron, Marchand skated across the slot, shifted the puck from his forehand to his backhand and flipped a shot past Quick at 5:35 of the third.

The scoring slump had been only part of Marchand’s recent troubles, as he was also fined $2,500 by the league Monday for a slew-footing incident from last week. Marchand, Boston’s resident pest, has battled through other run-ins with the league and even disagreements with his own coach.

“I think that’s something you want to be able to do in this League. You want to show that you can learn from mistakes and different things,” the second-year forward said. “You want to be able to bounce back and show that it doesn’t affect you and doesn’t bother your game. I haven’t been playing my best of late and it’s nice to kind of bounce back here.”

The Kings have three more games on their trip. They might get a permanent coach over the course of the journey or Stevens might remain in his post. Regardless, the players say they have to block everything out and focus on the task of living up to the preseason projections that held them up as one of the best in the West.

“There is a lot of stuff going on, but there is no excuse,” Quick said. “You can’t take stuff like that and call it a distraction, use it as a reason not to win the game. We have guys in this locker room here that they know we could have played better and come up with two points tonight. But we weren’t able to do that. We have a lot of hockey left to play and we are looking forward to getting out there next game.”

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Boston Bruins 0:3 (0:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Peverley 7., Marchand 28., 46.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: IN! (chan 1065742)

For the second year in a row the Kings are IN the playoffs.
They won 3:2 after SO against the Phoenix Coyotes.
In the first period Stoll gave Kings the lead after a nice pass by Brown. Later on Stempniak tied the game. Payatt made it 2:1 in favor for the Coyotes.
In the second period Clifford tied the game.
There were no goals in the third so the game went into OT. The Kings had zero shots on Bryzgalov in the OT and the Yotes had 4 on Quick. There were also no goals in the OT, so the shutouts decided who is gonna get two points. Handzus and Stoll scored for LA and Quick stopped 2 to ensure the Kings their playoff spot.
The Kings have to play against the Ducks twice in the next days, where they will battle for the home ice advantage in the playoffs.

Goals:

LAK: Stoll (20), Clifford (7)

PHX: Stempniak (19), Payatt (18)

Game Highlights





12/14/11--14:54: Kings won game 5 (chan 1065742)

Jonathan Quick stopped 51 shots and set the new playoff franchise record for the Kings. He made couple of great saves and gave Kings the chance to win another game in the series.
In the first period the Kings scored three goals. Simmonds, Clifford and Penner who hasnt scored from march 13th gave the Kings three goal lead. Niemi was replaced with Niittymaki after just nine minutes of play and just 4 shots. Niittymaki stopped than all 18 shots.
In the second period the Sharks got one back when Marleau jammed the puck past Quick but that was the only goal Quick allowed. The result stayed the same till te end.
The next game will be on monday in Staples Center, downtown LA!


Goals:

LAK: Simmonds (1), Clifford (3), Penner (1)

SJS: Marleau (1)





12/14/11--14:54: Preds won again (chan 1065742)

5 goals for the Predators and fifth straight loss for the Kings.
Jonathan Bernier stopped 23 shots and the Kings lost 4 games in a row at home, they still have to play 4 more in Staples center.
First period was scoreless, in the second, Kings scored two goals, Clifford and Stoll both had a goal.
But the Predators tied the game and Hornqvist put them ahead in the 15th minute of the second period.
In the third Nashville scored two more, Kostitsyn and Hornqvist with his second of the game made it 4:2 and 5:2.
Anze Kopitar assisted on both two Kings goals, had 2 shots on goal and a litle bit more than 21 minutes of ice time. We congratulate to Kopy for another jubileum of his. His second assist of the game was also his 200th in the NHL.

GOALS:

LAK: Clifford (3), Stoll (9)

NSH: Wilson (9), Svatos (1), Hornqvist (12, 13), Kostitsyn (10)


GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: 10th goal of the season for win vs Blues (chan 1065742)

Mike Richards scored a goal in the third period and assisted on another for Anže's goal, as the Kings slipped past St. Louis 3-2 Tuesday night at Scottrade Center.

Richards, who now has nine goals and 18 points in 21 games, gives the Kings (11-7-3) a solid one-two punch with Anže down the middle. Anže scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season, Willie Mitchell netted the game-winner and Jonathan Bernier -- making only his fourth start of the season -- stopped 23 shots as the Kings won for only the third time in 11 games in St. Louis.

Alex Steen and Vladimir Sobotka scored for the Blues (10-8-2), who lost for only the second time in regulation in 10 home games.

The Blues wasted little time grabbing a 1-0 lead, as Steen netted his team-leading eighth of the season off a solid give-and-go play with T.J. Oshie, who now has nine points in nine games. Steen snapped the return pass between Bernier's pads 1:07 into the game.

A lazy turnover by the Blues’ Jackman led to the Kings' tying goal, as Anže finished off Mike Richards' pass 7:36 into the second on LA's second power play. Jackman tried taking a backhand through the middle of the ice from the right corner, but had his pass picked off by Richards. Anže easily redirected Richards’ give past Halak.

Richards broke a 1-all tie in the third when Andrei Loktionov picked off another Jackman puck and found Richards in the slot. He beat Halak cleanly 4:41 into the period to give the Kings a 2-1 lead.

Mitchell's first goal of the season came less than two minutes after Sobotka tied the game for the Blues, as his shot from the left point got through Nichol’s attempted block and beat Halak on the near side with 5:49 to play.

Anže: 20:24 ice time, 20FO, 2 shots, 24 shifts

Kings will face Dallas today at 5.30 pm.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - St. Louis Blues 3:2 (0:1, 1:0, 2:1)
Kopitar 28., Richards 45., Mitchell 55.; Steen 2., Sobotka 53.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings 2 points @ home (chan 1065742)


Game Highlights

Second game for the Kings in their Staples Center after a long 10 game road trip, this time against the Colorado Avalanche.
In the first period, the Kings outshot Avalanche 14:5 and Anze Kopitar scored his 20th of the season to gave Kings 1:0 lead.
In the beginning of the second period the Kings had a 2 man advantage but could not score.
Martinez made it 2:0 later on in the period with a shot from the blue line. Just a second before the end of the second period Doughty scored on a PP from the blue line. Kopitar got an assist and Smyth recorded his 400th assist. Stoll made it 4:0 in the third period with another PP goal. Colorado came back, Jones scored on a 5:3 pp than again on a 5:4 situation.
Stastny made it 4:3 just 30 seconds before the end as he picked up a puck and chiped it into Stoll s skate, the puck sliped over the goal line. Final result 4:3 for the Kings.
Anze Kopitar had a great game again, he won 70 percent of the faceoffs, had more than 24 minutes of ice time, had a goal and an assist.

Goals:

LAK: Kopitar (20), Martinez (4), Doughty (10), Stoll (17)

COL: Jones (21, 22), Stastny (19)





12/14/11--14:54: The Kings have lost in Pepsi Center (chan 1065742)

Colorado Avalanche have beaten Los Angeles Kings in Pepsi Center 3:2. Matt Duchane scored the winning goal in the beginning of the third period.

Colorado scored a shorthanded goal 6:55 into the game. Chuck Kobasew carried the puck deep, Quick appeared to be going for a poke check, but couldn’t get back in position before Kobasew scored on a wraparound. The lead lasted only 27 seconds, though, as the Kings scored a power-play goal. Stoll’s wrist shot from the high slot got deflected on the way to the net and Scott Parse, to the left of the net, whacked at the puck and scored from close range.

A power-play goal gave the Avalanche the lead 9:04 into the second. Quick went behind his net to play a dump-in, but the puck caromed hard off the end boards and right to the front of the net. Milan Hejduk picked it up, turned and scored before Quick could get back in position. The special-teams goals continued, as the Kings tied the game with a 5-on-3 goal with 1:16 remaining in the second period. Doughty’s shot was saved, and Brown poked at the rebound before Anže knocked it in from the left side to tie the game 2-2.

Colorado took a 3-2 lead 1:52 into the third period. Matt Duchene took a pass from Jones and brought the puck up the left side. Duchene pulled up at the left circle and Doughty went down to try to block the shot, but Duchene’s high shot beat Quick to the far post.

The Kings outshot the Avalanche 31-16, but failed to record three regulation goals for the ninth time in 11 games this season. The Kings were handed their first regulation road loss and finished this road trip with a 1-1-1 record.

Anže: 20:20 ice time, more than 2 minutes on PP and more than 1 minute on SH. 3 shots, 50% FO.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Colorado Avalanche 2:3 (1:1, 1:1, 0:1)
Parse 8., Kopitar 39.; Kobashew 7., Hejduk 30., Duchane 42.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Quick remains undefeated (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings wins again. This time against Dallas Stars in Staples Center. It was third game winning goal from Jack Johnson, just four minutes remaining. Jonathan Quick made third straight shutout.

After scoreless first and second period, Kings made it 1-0 in 55:02 minute of the game. Richards won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Scuderi, who passed left. Jack Johnson fired a high, one-time slap shot through traffic and beat Raycroft to give the Kings a 1-0 lead.

Jonathan Quick set a Kings franchise record with his third consecutive shutout and Jack Johnson recorded his third game-winning goal of the season.

Anže played 400th game in NHL today. He has 21:34 ice time today and was 50% in FO.

Kings will play their next game on Tuesday against Devils, second time this season.

Result:
Dallas Stars - Los Angeles Kings 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Johnson 56.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: 44th win for the Kings... Anze Kopitar injured. (chan 1065742)

It was an early game for the Kings as they hosted the Colorado Avalanche.
In the first period the kings outshoot the Avalanche 11-5, Anze Kopitar scored the first goal of the game and Handzus made it 2:0 on a PP.
In the second period Anze Kopitar injured himself by the boards and left the game. Milan Hejduk scored for the Colorado just 1.39 before the end, he scored from the close range on an assist by Stastny.
In the third period Smyth scored to make it 3:1. He held the puck behind the Colorado net, , then lunged for a wraparound and beat Budaj. Later on he assisted on a goal by Lewis who made it 4:1 in favor for the Kings.
Anze Kopitar scored his 26th of the season, had 12 minutes and 8 seconds of ice time and two shots on goal. As for his injury, there will be update as soon as possible...

Goals:

LAK: Kopitar (26), Handzus (11), Smyth (21), Lewis (3)

COL: Hejduk (20)





12/14/11--14:54: Falling in OT (chan 1065742)

The Dallas Stars stopped in LA to play against the Kings, who hawe some prblems infront of the home crowd.
After a great road trip they lost 3 out of 4 games at home.
Los Angeles never trailed in regulation, but Dallas tied it three times.
In the first period, Mitchell scored for LA, that was his first goal of the season in Staples Center. Ribeiro tied it in the second period, but Justin Williams gave Kings the lead again just 40 second later.
In the third period Daley tied the game again at 2:2
Later on Clifford scored to gave Kings another lead but Benn tied it at 3:3. The game went into OT, when Morrow scored just 38 seconds in and ensured the Stars another two points.
Anze Kopitar played for almost 24 minutes and assistet on two goals.

Goals:

LAK: Mitchell (3), Williams (21), Clifford (5)

DAL: Ribeiro (13), Daley (6), Benn (17), Morrow (OT)

Game Highlights






12/14/11--14:54: Anze Kopitar likely out for the season (chan 1065742)

The MRI done monday morning revealed torn ligaments coused by
a high ankle sprain. Anze is likely out for the season. On wednesday he is scheduled to undergo surgery in Los Angeles to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle and he is expected to be ready for the start of the next season

Kopi get well!






12/14/11--14:54: Two goals from Anže not enough for win in Berlin (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings lost their second game in this NHL season in Berlin. Buffalo Sabres won 4:2 in O2 Arena in Berlin. Anže Kopitar scored twice for Kings, while Luke Adam also got two goals for his team.

Only one day after the game in Stockholm, Kings played their second in Berlin, Germany. In goal for Kings started Jonathan Bernier. Scoreless first period leaded us to much more interesting second part of the game.

Sabres got the lead from Adam who scored twice in 140 seconds. Gaustad made it 3:0 lead with 6:41 remainging in second. Kings didn't give up and got on the scoreboard with 39 seconds remaining in the second period with a power-play goal. Johnson took the puck down low, then fed it to Anze Kopitar in the high slot. Kopitar’s one-timer beat Miller to cut Buffalo’s lead to 3-1.

Sabres had better start in the third, when regained their three-goal lead with a power-play goal 3:58 into the last period. Bernier made a stop but the puck stayed in the crease area, where Drew Stafford knocked it in. Judges disallowed one more goal from Sabres because high-sticking. Anže made the final result 4:14 remaining, when he scored his third in two games. Williams made a brilliant diagonal pass to Kopi, who took the puck in the slot, went from forehand to backhand and beat Miller. Real beauty! Miller than made two fantastics saves to prevent Kopi's hat-trick.

First star of today's game was Adam, while Anže was anounced for third best player. The only player from Europe in LA team today played 24:34 minutes and had 5 shots on goal.

Kings will now fly back to America. On east coast they will play their next game on Thuresday, 4. pm Pacific time against Devils.

Result:
Buffalo Sabres - Los Angeles Kings 4:2 (0:0, 3:1, 1:1)
Adam 23., 25., Gaustad 34., Stafford 44.; Kopitar 40., 56.

Stats

Foto: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Williams involved in 4 for a win (chan 1065742)

The Kings hawe finally won in Calgary. They were beaten 10 straight times at the Saddledome since December 2005. Justin Williams scored a goal and had two assist before he beat Kiprusoff in the seventh round of the SO.
The game was tied after 60 minutes of play and there were no goals in the OT. Williams, Brown and Scuderi scored for LA, Tanguay scored twice and Regehr added one for the Flames.
Anze Kopitar had 23 minutes and 18 seconds of ice time, his stats stayed the same. He had 3 shots of goal and he earned a 2 minute penalty in the third period for holding.

Goals:

LAK: Scuderi (2), Brown (18), Williams (19, SO)

CGY: Regehr (1), Tanguay (13, 14)








12/14/11--14:54: Getting 2 in SO (chan 1065742)

After a So win against the Calgary Flames, the Kings did it again. This time against the San Jose Sharks infront of a selout crowd in Staples Center.
Dustin Brown was named the first star of the night as he scored two in regulation and added a goal in the fifth round of the shootout.
In the first period there were no goals, the Kings outshot Sharks 13:9, in the second period Pavelski scored on a PP for San Jose, but Brown tied the game on a PP for the Kings in the eight minute. Defensman Mitchell scored his fourth of the season to gave Kings the lead. In the third period the Sharks outshot the Kings 13:7. Marleau tied the game and Brown gave Kings the lead just minute and 42 second before the end. Marleau tied the game again just 5 second before the end. The game went into OT. There were no goals in the OT either and the Shootouts decided who is gonna take two points. In the fifth round Duastin Brown scored on Niemi and gave Kings another win.
Anze Kopitar had 24 minutes of ice time, 4 shots on goal but his stats stayed the same. The Kings are now in the fifth place in the Western conference.

Goals:

LAK: Brown (24, 25, SO), Mitchell (4)

SJS: Pavelski (17), Marleau (32, 33)


Game Highlights





12/14/11--14:54: Winning start for Kings (chan 1065742)

LA Kings won their first preseason game in Arizona against Phoenix Coyotes. Anže and temmates beat Coyotes in last minute when Dustin Penner scored for 3:2.

Anže was playing in first line together with Dustin Penner and Justin Williams. Kings head coach, Terry Murray, has decided to play in Jobing.com Arena also with Richardson, Lewis, Westgarth, Moreau, Clune, Kozun, King, Azevedo, Toffoli, Martinez, Greene, Mithcell, Campbell, Kolomatis, Mullen and Bernier and Zatkoff as goalies.

Game opener was made by Moreau in second minute, an assist got Lewis. The game was tied again in six minute, when Yandle beated Bernier in Kings goal. Scorless second period led us to much more effective last period of play.

Phoenix took the lead with an even-strength with 9:31 remaining in the third, not surprisingly with a goal from usual Kings-killer Shane Doan. But we saw pretty quick answer from Kings. Tyler Toffoli tied the game with a PP goal with 5:46 remaining with assists to Mullen and Lewis again. Just 49 seconds remaining in regulation we got the winner. Dustin Penner scored to give the Kings second lead, which was enough for todays win. Assist for winning goal got Toffoli.

Anže was on the ice for 22:26 minutes and had 5 shots of 29 from Kings. That was his first game after injury on 03/26/11.

Next game: Ducks vs Kings, 09/25/11, 6:30 PM

Event summary

Result:
Phoenix Coyotes - Los Angeles Kings 2:3 (1:1, 0:0, 1:2)
Yandle 6., Doan 51., Moreau 2., Toffoli 55., Penner 60.


Photo: Rink Rat / Michael (aka Zampelli by Michael Rink Rat)





12/14/11--14:54: Winning start of 11/12 season for Kings! (chan 1065742)

Anže Kopitar and Mike Richard got a goal and an asisst for first win on first game for Kings in NHL season 2011/12. Jack Johnson scored on a power play with a minute left in overtime Friday to lift the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers in the teams' season opener in Stockholm.

Johnson tapped in a pass from Mike Richards, who had scored with five minutes to go in regulation to make it 2-2. Richards came to Los Angeles during the off-season from Philadelphia.

The sold-out stadium in Global Arena, Stockholm, saw first goal in 11th minute by Kings #11. Anže scored after nice pass from Williams. Rangers tied the game five minutes later and got the lead 9 minutes before the end. Richard scored for 2:2 just 4 minutes remaining.

Anže played 21:46 minutes and got 50% face-offs. Next game Kings will play tomorrow in Berlin against Buffalo (11 pm).

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Buffalo Sabres 3:2 (1:1, 0:0, 1:1, 1:0)
Kopitar 11., Richards 56., Johnson 65.; Callahan 16., Gaborik 51.

Stats

Foto: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Shining over Stars (chan 1065742)


Kings 3 - Stars 2

Kopy 1A

Game Highlights


After the games in Detroit and Columbus, the Kings stopped in American Airline Center in Dallas and won a game against the Stars 3:2.
Drew Doughty score in the first period on a PP, assisted by Ponikarovsky and Stoll. Dustin Penner made it 2:0 in the second period as he was ed beautifully by Kopitar to the left of the Dallas goal, and the Kings winger skillfully knocked a writer past Lehtonen. Later on in the period Richards scored on a breakaway
to make it 2:1.
In the third, the Kings had two powerplays but could not score, they recorded just one shot on goal. Than just 43 second before the end Langenbrunner scored to tie the game at 2:2. When everybody thoud the game was going into OT, Handzus scored just 22 second later and the Kings got two points.
Anze Kopitar played for 23 minutes, had one shot on goal and won 62 percent of the faceoffs. He assisted on a goal by Penner.


Goals:

LAK: Doughty (11), Penner (23), Handzus (10)

DAL: Richards (25), Langenbrunner (9)





12/14/11--14:54: Kings winning streak comes to an end (chan 1065742)

It was the first Saturday-afternoon home game of the season, with the Kings hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Kings winning streak comes to an and ad Red Wings won 4:1.

Williams took a tripping penalty in 7 minute, and both teams got goals. First, off a faceoff, the Kings’ Mike Richards outraced two Red Wings to the puck and beat Howard with a close-range backhand shot. Just 37 seconds after Richards’ goal, the Red Wings tied the game on the power play. Lidstrom took a point shot with Holmstrom running traffic in front. Pavel Datsyuk then picked up the rebound in front and scored from close range to make it a 1-1.

Detroit took the lead with a power-play goal 7:08 into the second period. Niklas Kronwall went to the front of the net and found an open spot as he took a centering pass from Holmstrom and beat Quick on a close-range one-timer. After Anže failed to score on a penalty shot and the Kings failed to score on the power play, the Red Wings took a 3-1 lead with 4:22 remaining in the second period. Justin Abdelkader beat Quick with a wrist shot from the right side.

Detroit took a 4-1 lead with 4:54 remaining in the third period. After a scrum in the corner of the Kings’ zone, Datsyuk picked up the puck in the right circle, made a quick move toward the net and scored on a wrist shot.

Anže played 20:36 minutes, had 6 shots and hit the goal posts. He was 40% in FO. Kings will face Blues on Tuesday, 4.30 pm.

Result
Detroit Red Wings - Los Angeles Kings 4:1 (1:1, 2:0, 1:0)
Datsyuk 8., 56., Kronwall 28., Abdelkader 36.; Richards 7.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: A goal and an asisst against Penguins (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings ended their home scoreless streak at 98 minutes and 32 seconds against Pittsburgh Penguins. Anže had a goal and an asisst, but the Kings lost after penalties 2:3.

It was Jonathan Quick against Marc-Andre Fleury today. The Kings killed all of the two-man advantage in the first period, but the Penguins scored a power-play goal with 1:15 remaining to take a 1-0 lead. Letang passed to Steve Sullivan, whose one-timer from a sharp angle beat Quick.

The Kings tied the game 1-1 with 6:24 remaining in the second period. Greene intercepted a Pittsburgh pass at center ice, then passed ahead to Williams. Williams found Anže with space, in the slot, and Anže skated in and beat Fleury with a backhand shot from close range.

The Kings took their first lead of the game with 6:11 remaining. Anže took a pass from Williams and had room in front of the net, but made a deft pass to his right, where Simon Gagne was open and scored on a close-range one-timer to give the Kings a 2-1 lead.
Staal pushed the puck behind the Kings’ net to Chris Kunitz, who quickly brought it back out front and tucked it into the net before Quick could slide across for the save, and the Penguins tied the game 2-2 with 2:57 remaining in regulation.

There was no goal in overtime, so game was decided after the penalties where only Anže scored for home team. For the Penguins have managed to score Letang and Kunitz.

Anže: 24:50 ice time, 3 shots, 67 FO. Kings will face Sharks on Monday.

Result
Pittsburgh Penguins - Los Angeles Kings 3:2 (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 0:0)
Sullivan 19., Kunitz 58.; Kopitar 34., Gagne 54.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: First GWG of the season for win agains Ducks (chan 1065742)

Anže scored first game winning goal of the season for win against Anaheim Ducks in Honda Center. The Kings beated the Ducks second time in two days. Anže scored late in the third period for Kings win.

The Kings outshot the Ducks 14-13 in the first period, but neither team controlled play for long stretches. Mike Richards broke the scoreless tie 1:54 into the second period. Richards went to the net then whipped a backhand shot past Ellis from the right circle to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. The Kings’ lead lasted just more than two minutes, as the Ducks tied the game 1-1. Selanne attempted a wraparound shot, which got deflected by Koivu in front of the net, right onto the stick of Andrew Cogliano to the right of the net. Cogliano, unmarked, shot the puck into an open net before Quick could slide across. Simon Gagne’s shorthanded goal gave the Kings the lead back. He picked up the puck in the neutral zone and went in alone against Ellis. Gagne started wide right, then cut to the front of the net and tucked the puck around Ellis. It was the Kings’ first shorthanded goal of the season.

The start of the third period was delayed because of a lightning malfunction at Honda Center. The period started after a 17-minute delay. The Kings took a two-goal lead with a power-play goal 2:45 into the third period. Slava Voynov pinched down to the left side of the net and Gagne fed a pass through traffic. Voynov whacked at the puck from close range and scored. Corey Perry’s power-play goal pulled the Ducks within 3-2 at the 8:24 mark. The Ducks kept the pressure on, and tied the game with 6:25 remaining in the third, on Cogliano’s second goal of the game. Sbisa shot through heavy traffic, and Cogliano deflected the puck past Quick to make it a 3-3 game.

The Kings got the lead back with 3:01 remaining in regulation. Anže took the puck to the net and Ellis made a save, but Anže picked up his own rebound and scored on a wraparound to give the Kings a 4-3 lead. On the power play, trailing by a goal, the Ducks pulled Ellis with 1:50 remaining. Shortly thereafter, Richards controlled the puck after Anže intercepdet the pass and fired a shot into an empty Anaheim net from approximately 140 feet away to give the Kings a 5-3 lead.

Anže played more than 22 minutes and was 71in FO. He was choosen for the second star of the game. Anže has 23 points so far and is fourth in the league. Giroux and Vanek on the second and third place also have 23 points. Kings will host Red Wings on Saturday, 1 PM.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Anaheim Ducks 5:3 (0:0, 2:1, 3:2)
Richards 21., 59., Gagne 28., Voynov 43., Kopitar 57.; Colgiano 24., 54., Perry 49.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Seven straight win against the Panthers (chan 1065742)

The Kings did it again - they beated the Panthers for the seventh straight time. Tonight the Kings won 2:1, and Anže got an assist after three pointless games.

The Kings took the lead less than two minutes into the game. Jack Johnson took a D-to-D pass from Greene, and Johnson’s point shot through traffic beat Theodore to give the Kings a 1-0 lead at the 1:35 mark. Anže also recorded an assist. Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell played only one shift in the first period and was not on the bench during the period. The Kings announced that Mitchell has suffered a lower-body injury.

After being badly outplayed for much of the period, the Kings took a 2-0 lead on a power-play goal with 5:47 remaining. Voynov fed a long, accurate outlet pass to Dustin Brown, who skated in and beat Theodore with a wrist shot from the left circle. Quick also got an assist, his second of the season. The Kings’ two-goal lead lasted just 1:26. Gudbranson took a shot from the right point, and the puck hit traffic in front of the Kings’ net. Before the Kings could cover or clear the puck, Sean Bergenheim whacked at it in the slot and knocked it past Quick to narrow the Kings’ lead to 2-1.

Mike Richards was not on the ice or bench at the start of the third period. No information on Richards’ status has yet been provided. Richards did not return after a hit late in the second period that led to Sean Bergenheim’s roughing penalty.

Anže played another great game, with more than 20 minutes on the ice, one shot and 50FO. He was on the ice almost every second in the last five minutes of the game. The Kings will host the Canadiens on Saturday, 12.30 pm.

Result
Florida Panthers - Los Angeles Kings 1:2 (0:1, 1:1, 0:0)
Bergenheim 36.; Johnson 2., Brown 35.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: The Kings have lost seven straight times to the Canadiens (chan 1065742)

Carey Price made 26 saves, Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn scored, and the Montreal Canadiens beat the short-handed Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Saturday, ending a four-game losing streak.

Dustin Penner scored for the Kings, and Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves in his fifth start of the season.

Penner missed the previous nine games because of a broken finger and was inserted back in the lineup after Mike Richards was placed in injured reserve with a head injury that occurred in Thursday's 2-1 victory over Florida. Defenseman Davis Drewiske played his second game of the season in place of Willie Mitchell, who sustained a lower body injury on his first shift on Thursday.

The Kings have lost seven straight times to the Canadiens since a 2-1 home victory on March 8, 2003. The only current Montreal player who was on the Habs' roster that night was Andre Markov, who hasn't played since Nov. 13, 2010 because of torn ligaments in his right knee and could return to the lineup sometime next week.

Montreal led 1-0 after one period despite being outshot 14-5. The Canadiens killed off three power plays, including a 5-on-3 advantage Los Angeles had for 39 seconds, then cashed in the first time they went on the power play.

The Habs increased the margin to 2-0 on a critical turnover by the Kings that resulted in Kostitsyn's goal at 10:48 of the second. Defenseman Matt Green fell down trying to keep the puck in the Montreal zone at the right point, and Louis Leblanc took off with it. He passed to Kostitsyn, who completed a picture-perfect give-and-go with Lars Eller by beating Bernier with a 35-foot slap shot to the glove side.

Penner got the Kings on the board less than 3 minutes later, parking himself in the low slot and redirecting Drew Doughty's long slap shot between Price's pads for his first goal of the season with 11 seconds left on Erik Cole's interference penalty.

Price got a break when Johnson hit the post at 4:16 of the first during a power play, and teammate Simon Gagne hit the post less than 3 minutes into the third from short range.

Anže played almost 24 and a half minutes. He had 3 shotsn 30 shifts and was 45in FO. The Kings will travel to the Ducks on Tuesday, 7 pm.

Result
Montreal Canadiens - Los Angeles Kings 2:1 (1:0, 1:0, 0:1)
Plekanec 19., Kostitsyn 31.; Penner 54.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Leafs win @Staples (chan 1065742)

Toronto won their fourth in a row on the road and the Kings lost their ffifth game out of six at home...
Wayne Simmonds scored the first goal of the game as he skated pass Phaneuf and beat Reimer in the fisrt period.
The Maple leafs came out strong in the second and scored two goals just 34 seconds apart and took the lead.
Handzus than tied the game in the second period with a tip in goal. In the third period Kulemin scored for Toronto and ensured them 2 points. 35 second before the end Kings had a great chance as Kopitar almost scored as he was parked infront of Toronto goal, but videojudge revievd, there was no goal. Anze Played for 24 minutes and half and had 4 shots on goal.
Tonight Jan Mursak scored his first NHL goal in Detroit Jersey, congrats Jan!

Goals:

LAK: Simmonds (9), Handzus (6)

TOR: Boyce (2), Kessel (18), Kulemin (16)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Kings win in Phoenix (chan 1065742)

After 5 straight losses against Phoenix the Kings had to do something to win over the Coyotes. They started of really good and after 14 minutes of play they were up 3:0.
But later on in the game Stempniak scored twice and Hanzal added one, so the game was after 40 minutes of play tied at 3 a piece. Jarred Stoll scored in the fifth minute of the third period, he saw the puck behind Bryzgalov back, he left his feet and swept in the rebound.
Anze Kopitar had almost 23 minutes of ice time, 3 shots on goal and one assist.


Goals:

LAK: Williams (18), Doughty (4), Martinez (3), Stoll (14)

PHX: Stempniak (13, 14), Hanzal (11)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Stars beat Kings (chan 1065742)

Richard Bachman was a man of solitude before his first NHL start -- the rookie goaltender stuck to his usual game-day routine and didn't have much contact with teammates.

"We didn't want to jinx him or anything," Jamie Benn said. "We kind of just left him alone and left him in his little corner over there."

But after Bachman's bang-up work gave him his first NHL win, a 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, he was the center of attention.

"The final buzzer goes off, you can get that sigh of relief, especially in a tight game like that," Bachman said. "It's exciting. It's fun. You always dream about getting that first win. It's a dream come true tonight."

With starter Kari Lehtonen hurt and backup Andrew Raycroft struggling, Bachman got the call and won despite an off night for Dallas' special teams, which went 1 for 7 on the power play and surrendered a shorthanded goal.

But Bachman, with an old-school stand-up style, didn't leave many rebounds and came through in a tight game. He made consecutive saves on Simon Gagne and Drew Doughty in the third period and backstopped a third-period penalty kill. He was also sharp in the final minute when the Kings pulled goaltender Jonathan Bernier for a 6-on-5 skating advantage.

"He looked pretty calm back there for his first real start," Benn said. "He's a hell of a goalie. He's really calm and played a great game."

It was the second straight game a goalie making his first NHL start beat the Kings. Minnesota Matt Hackett turned in a 42-save performance on Thursday in the Wild's 4-2 win.

Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan, who coached Bachman in the AHL, said the 24-year-old will likely start the Stars' next game, Tuesday night against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

"He looked like himself," Gulutzan said. "I just told him when he went out there it's the same game that you've been playing … He's going through the natural progression. He's a good goaltender. He deserves another start and most likely against the Rangers we'll give him that opportunity and see if he can run with it."

Dallas took a 2-1 lead at 16:44 of the second on a whack near the left circle by Trevor Daley that hit the left post, hit Bernier's left pad and slid into the net.

It was an important response after Los Angeles got the crowd back into the game at 13:56 with a shorthanded goal by Brad Richardson.

"Huge," Benn said. "It was a great shift by (Tom) Wandell, (Jake) Dowell and (Tomas) Vincour there."

Coupled with Bachman's play, that was enough for victory.

Los Angeles wore its retro purple-and-gold uniforms but failed to conjure up the high-scoring days of yesteryear. The Kings scored two or fewer goals for the eighth straight game and continue to waste stellar goaltending.

"We have to be more desperate right now," captain Dustin Brown said. "We have to be more desperate the rest of the year. We aren't playing with enough intensity or desperation. We are a good team and now we are not playing like one."

The lack of offense prompted questions of possible change in L.A.'s locker room.

"I like to think and I truly believe that the answer is in here," veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi said. "I'm very optimistic that we are going to come out of this. I know it has been a tough stretch and no one is denying that. But I truly believe that the answer is in here."

The shorthanded goal was the main highlight for Los Angeles.

Anze Kopitar poked the puck away from Michael Ryder near the blue line and broke in on goal with Richardson, who slipped the puck past Bachman from the right side.

A healthy scratch in seven of the previous eight games because of his lack of production, Richardson notched his first goal of the season.

It was the first shorthanded goal allowed this year by Dallas. Boston is now the only team not to give up one.

Ryder helped give Dallas a 1-0 lead with a power play goal on the Stars' third attempt of the first period. He drove down the right side and around Jack Johnson to get to the net before his pass through the crease hit Benn's skate and tucked inside the left post at 15:35.

"Our defenseman got beat," Kings coach Terry Murray said. "That's a no-no. You just can't give up that kind of play at the net off that read."

Benn snapped a six-game goal scoring drought.

Said Benn, "I got a greasy one there."

Bachman had a nervous moment to start the game when he went out to play the puck and almost lost it.

"I'm not always the best at puck handling out there," Bachman said with a smile. "I waited too long. In the American League you might be able to get away with that, but here they come a little bit quicker."

Former King Bernie Nicholls was honored before the game and delivered a memorable line when he said of his 70-goal season in 1998-89, "That year he (Wayne Gretzky) filled the Forum, and I entertained them."

Result
Dallas Stars - Los Angeles Kings 2:1 (1:0, 1:1, 0:0)
Benn 14., Daley 37.; Richardson 34.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings bite Bruins (chan 1065742)

The teams' previous four meetings had all gone to overtime or a shootout, this time the Kings did not need exstra time to beat the Bruins. Jonathan Quick was outstanding between the pipes, he made 34 saves, that was his 13th career shotout and his 21st victory of the season.
Veteran Smyth scored in the first period on a PP to give Kings the lead and rookie Loktionov made it 2:0 in the third. Loktionov played on the first line with Kopitar and Brown.
This was second straight win for Los Angeles after going 3-113 in their last 16 games. Anze Kopitar had 21 minutes and 8 seconds of ice time and he assisted on a goal from Loktionov.

Goals:

LAK: Smyth (18), Loktionov (2)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Clinching a point in NY (chan 1065742)

With another point in the game against the Ranger the Kings set a new franchise record. They won at least point in 11 straight games. The game was tied after regulation 3:3, there were no goals in the OT so the decision felt after Shotouts.
Dustin Brown scored in the first period to gave Kings the lead. In the second period Callahan tied the game. In the third period there were 4 goals. Gaborik scored and the Rangers were infront by one, Greene with his first of the season tied the game just minute and 40 second later. Anisimov gave Rangers the lead in the 17th minute but the Kings came back again. Dustin Brown scored his second of the night so the game vent to OT. Stoll scored for LA, Zuccharello and Christensen beat Bernier for NYR. Lundqvist made a save on Kopitar shot and earned himself 200th win in his NHL career.
Anze Kopitar played for almost 22 minutes, had 4 shots on goal and added an assist to his stats. He won 62 percent of the faceoof and was sent off for 2 minutes due to a hooking penalty in the first period.


Goals:

LAK: Brown (19, 20), Greene (1)

NYR: Callahan (15), Gaborik (17), Anisimov (13)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Grow one for the team! (chan 1065742)

Sports World knows that hockey players (and of course other athletes as well) do not shave during post season. Where did it all start?
According to the historians that follow these things, it all started in year 1980. NHL team New York Islanders decided not to shave until end of their playoffs. For luck! They went all the way and in 1980 long bearded men hoisted the Cup.
Instantly hockey teams started growing beards for the time of playoffs and tradition moved from hockey world to basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis. Even juniors wanted to be a part of tradition. Wit lack of facial hair they started re-coloring their hair and in last ten years we can also see many irocezas and other crazy haircuts.
And what are the rules for playoff beard? As team enters playoffs, you are not to shave your beard until the day you finish your season (so you either lose the series or you hoist it). However, there is a conditional shave. If a team loses a game in the series player can shave in order to change teams luck. Jim Dowd started even something more unique. After each loss, he made just one cut. The cuts of the beard should represent the scars made by each loss.

https://www.beardathon.com/





12/14/11--14:54: New points from Anže not enough for win vs Sharks (chan 1065742)

Monday night’s game marked the first meeting between the Sharks and Kings since they met in the first round of the playoffs last season. Sharks beat their Pacific Division rivals 4-2 at HP Pavilion in front of 17.562 spectators.

In the first period the Kings outshot the Sharks 14-7. Penner had a breakaway and a great chance later in the period, but Niemi made the stop on both with two strong plays. Brown also hit a post and, on the other end.

The Kings broke the scoreless tie with a 5-on-3 goal 6:19 into the second period. Richards won the offensive-zone faceoff, and Anže pushed the puck back to Doughty, who made a pass across the blue line. Jack Johnson ripped a shot to the corner of the net that beat Niemi and gave the Kings a 1-0 lead. The Sharks tied the game with 8:21 remaining in the second period. Joe Thornton pushed the puck through to make it a 1-1 game. San Jose took the lead just 56 seconds after it tied the game. Boyle pushed the puck toward the net and Patrick Marleau skated through the slot, with Johnson in chase, and Marleau’s deflection beat Quick to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead with 7:25 remaining in the period. A 5-on-3 goal pushed the Sharks’ lead to 3-1 with 2:58 remaining in the second period. After a scramble in front of the Kings’ net, the puck went out to Dan Boyle in the high slot. With Quick sitting on the ice, Boyle ripped a high shot into the net.

San Jose didn’t let up to start the third period, and took a 4-1 lead at the 6:40 mark. Vlasic’s shot was saved, but Logan Couture was left wide open in front the net and tucked the rebound into the net. A power-play goal brought the Kings back to within two goals. Doughty’s neutral-zone pass found Anže, who skated in and took a medium-range shot. Niemi made the save, but the rebound kicked back to Anže, who scored on a wrist shot to make it a 4-2 game 8:28 into the third period.

Anže: 22:33 ice time, more than 8 min on PP/SH, 6 shots, 71% FO. Kings will face Predators tonight.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - San Jose Sharks 2:4 (0:0, 1:3, 1:1)
Johnson 27., Kopitar 49.; Thornton 32., Marleau 33., Boyle 38., Couture 47.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings lose battle against Canucks (chan 1065742)

Kings 1 – Canucks 3
Game Highlights
Los Angeles faced league leaders in afternoon game. Right from start the game become a high tempo, full contact race. We could see lots of body weight being thrown around and lots of blocked shots. The tension between both teams is again increasing and coming to last year's play-off momentum.
Both teams showed a tight defensive game that developed into many open opportunities with back to back odd man opportunities, but Quick and Luongo managed to hold back and showed some impressive saves.
We could see how teams do not like each other with many discussions, high hits and many cheap-shots that lead to many power play chances on both sides, but none of the teams was able to capitalize on those chances.
At the end of third Canucks managed to get their game winning goal through hard traffic in front Quick and scored the third on empty net. The only goal for the Kings was scored by Dustin Penner, with his first in Kings Jersey.





12/14/11--14:54: Kopitar's Surgery successful (chan 1065742)

Kings center Anze Kopitar underwent ``successful surgery'' on Wednesday to repair the torn ligaments in his right ankle, the team said Wednesday.

Anze get well soon.





12/14/11--14:54: The Oilers have beaten the Kings in Staples (chan 1065742)

Edmonton Oilers won in Staples Center against Los Angeles Kings 3:0. The Kings were shut out for the second consecutive time at home.

he Oilers took a 1-0 lead at 11:26 of the second when Ryan Smyth attempted a centering pass from behind the net and the puck deflected off the stick of defenseman Martinez before fluttering over Quick's right shoulder.

Edmonton took a two-goal lead with 2:22 remaining in the second period. The Oilers were able to cycle and hold the puck in the Kings’ zone, and Eager’s wraparound attempt was stopped by Petrell scored on the rebound. The puck trickled past Quick as he appeared to be interfered with by Edmonton’s Lander, and the Oilers took a 2-0 lead.

The Oilers scored again when Gagner carried the puck into the Kings' end and circled the net before flipping the puck out in front. Defenseman Mitchell got his stick on the centering pass, but Potter put it past Quick from the lip of the crease at 1:06 of the third.

The Kings will play their next game on Saturday against Penguins in Staples Center.

Result:
Edmonton Oilers - Los Angeles Kings 3:0 (0:0, 2:0, 1:0)
Smyth 32., Petrell 38., Potter 42.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Another loss in the OT and the season is over. (chan 1065742)

For the third time in a row the Kings lost in the OT. With this loss the Kings season is over. Thru the hole game they were chasing the result, they were down three times but they alvays came back. Welwood, Demers and Heatley scored for SJS, Williams, Smyth and Lewis tied the result. 3minutes before the end of regulation McGinn slammed Richardson nto the boards and was given a major charging penalty and an automatic game misconduct. Just half a minute before the end Smyth had a nice chance but could not score on Niemi. In the OT the Kings had a man advantage for 2 minutes but could not beat Niemi, so later on "Jumbo Joe" scored on Quick in the third minute of the OT and gave Sharks a huge win over the Kings.


Goals:

LAK: Williams (3), Smyth (2), Lewis (1)

SJS: Welwood (1), Demers (2), Heatley (2), Thornton (2)





12/14/11--14:54: The first "back-to-back" games and the first win (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings beated Anaheim Ducks on the first of back-to-back games in the "Freeway Faceoff" which takes place at Staples Center. Kings won after SO 2:1, and they outshuted the Ducks 36-21.

The Kings were absolutley better in first period when they outshot the Ducks 17-5 and had one close-range shot deflect off both the crossbar and the right goalpost, but there were zero goals in the period.

The Kings broke the scoreless tie with a 5-on-3 goal 7:38 into the second period. Johnson’s shot from the slot went wide and came back hard off the end boards, right onto the stick of Mike Richards to the side of the net. Richards shot quickly, before Hiller could recover, and scored to give the Kings a 1-0 lead.

The Ducks had a goal disallowed 5:25 into the third period, when video review confirmed that Getzlaf knocked the puck into the net with his glove. The Ducks tied the game 10 seconds into the power play. Getzlaf won a faceoff and the puck got to Teemu Selanne, who shot from the middle of the left circle. Quick made the initial stop but the puck trickled past him and over the line as the Ducks tied the game with 3:25 remaining in regulation.

There was no goal in the overtime, so we must wait for the shutout. Anže didn't score in the first round, and we must wait for Williams in seventh round, who beated Hiller and that was enough for Kings win tonight in Staples.

Anže had first penalty today in this season and he also got 7 shots and was 50% in FO. The Kings will face the Ducks tomorrow at 7pm in Honda Center.

Result
Anaheim Ducks - Los Angeles Kings 1:2 (0:0, 0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Selanne 57.; Richards 28.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Lost against Ducks at Staples (chan 1065742)

Kings lost their third preseason game against Ducks 1:3. On first home game in Staples Center ahead of 14.103 spectators Anže Kopitar played in first line with Dustin Penner and Justin Williams.

Scoreless first period led us to three goals in second. Ducks managed to beat Quick in 23. minute, when Palmieri broke the scoreless tie. Than came last minute of second and two goals from Ducks in just 11 seconds. First came rebound into the slot, where Gordon jumped on it all alone and beat Quick with a backhand wrist shot. Just 11 seconds after Ducks second goal, they took a three-goal lead on Maroon's goal.

Kings got on the scoreboard 5:43 into the third period. Stoll's stretch pass found Loktionov in the neutral zone. Loktionov skated in alone and tucked the puck past today's great Delauriers with a backhand move. That was also the final result of today's game.

The Kings outshot the Ducks 33-18 but went 0/6 on the power play, where they had two "death" chances. Kopi played for 19:14 minutes, 3:44 in PP and 0:43 on SH. He made 5 shots and was 8/10 on faceoffs.

On Tuesday Kings will host Penguins at Staples at 2 p.m..

Also we wish all the best for Jan Muršak, who broke his left ankle on today's game for Detroit agains Chicago. He will be absent for at least two months and we wish him good recovery and big comeback! Get well soon, Jan!

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Anaheim Ducks 1:3 (0:0, 0:3, 1:0)
Loktionov 46.; Palmieri 23., Gordon 40., Maroon 40.

Stats

Photo by LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Point for Kings in Prudental Center (chan 1065742)

After two games in Europe, Kings played their first NHL game in new season in USA. LA had an away game on east coast against New Jersey Devils, who won after shootout 2:1.

Kings had a great start of the game, when they took the lead 1:47 into the game on a nice counter-attack after the Devils nearly scored. Kopi and Willams did a nice job under pressure and at the end Gagne picked up the pass, then tucked a backhand shout past Brodeur from close range. That was Anže's second asisst this season and five point out of six goals from Kings.

The Kings continued to dominate the action after their goal, Kopi hit the posts, but the Devils scored next. 6:57 remaining in the first, Parise's wraparound attempt went wide, Sykora's shot was deflected on the way to the net, but before the Kings could clear the puck, Elias skated in and knocked it past Quick.

Johan Hedberg started for Devils in second. Brodeur required attention at the bench after first period save but stayed in the game. Scoreless second and third period lead us to overtime, second for Kings this season. Doughty had great opportunity to make it 2:1 for Kings, but Hedberg mada a fantastic save.

Kovalckuk and Parise scored in shootout, while Hedberg made two saves - against Gagne and Kopi. Devils took two points from this one, but new opportunity for next Kings win wil already be on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Anže today played 21:17 minute, had one shot on goal and wa 25in FO.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - New Jersey Devils 1:2 (1:1, 0:0, 0:0, 0:0)
Gagne 2.; Elias 14.

Stats

Foto: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Couldn't catch them (chan 1065742)

A few hours after acquiring goal-scoring forward Dustin Penner in a trade with Edmonton, the Kings put on their worst performance in over a month.
In the first period Handzus scored on a PP to gave Kings the lead, but than the Red Wings scored 7 straight goals.
Jonathan Bernier replaced Jonathan Quick after Quick gave up the 6th goal. Hudler beat Bernier too and the score just nine minutes before the end was 7:1 in favor for the Detroit Red wings.
The Kings came back and scored three more goals but they lost 7:4. This was their second loss after regulation in their last 16 games, and they play against the Coyotes on Thursday.
Anze Kopitar had 21 minutes of ice time, 2 shots on goal and assisted twice for the Kings.


Goals:

LAK: Handzus (9), Brown (21), Simmonds (12), Richardson (7)

DET: Miller (5, 6), Cleary (22), Lidstrom (13), Datsyuk (19), Helm (8), Hudler (8)


Game Highlights






12/14/11--14:54: Kopistar nails hat trick for a win (chan 1065742)

Kings 4 - Blue Jackets 2

Kopy 3G (2nd career HT)

Game Highlights

We can go on and on, but... Kings got two points, Kopy hat trick and the night is just perfect. Rich Hammond asked Anže about the...
Anze Kopitar’s postgame thoughts…
(on what he was thinking when he had the breakaway…)
KOPI: “Lately, I haven’t been real successful in the shootouts, so that crossed my mind a little bit. I went in pretty confident. I just tried to stick to my move. I knew what I was going to do. I’ve beaten him on that move, so I guess it was a good move, but just getting in there and getting that breakaway out of the box, it felt pretty nice.”
(on the other two goals…)
KOPI: “The first one, I was standing there and I was actually hoping Jack was going to pass it to me, and obviously he did. I just re-directed it. The second one, I came around the net and I saw Willy pass it to the point, so I went to the net and i was fortunate enough to get a stick on that puck and just re-direct it in.”
(on the hat trick against Columbus…)
KOPI: “It’s definitely not easy playing against them, because they have a good team and everything. Some nights are better than others.”
LA Kings Insider
LA Kings News





12/14/11--14:54: Sharks fall @ Staples (chan 1065742)

Both clubs had a lot of problems in January, Kings lost 10 of 12 and Sharks lost 8 of 10. Everibody expected this game to be a tough one and it was.
After 65 minutes of play the score was tied at 2:2, so the teams went to the SO.
Smyth gave Kings the lead in the second period but Clowe tied it later on. Setoguchi than scored another one for the Sharks just 39 second later, and Ponikarovsky tied the game for the Kings in the third period.
Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson both hit the pipes and Jarred Stoll beat Niemi for the win. Jonathan Quick stopped all 4 atempts.
This was last game for LA infront of the home crowd till feb. 24.
Anze Kopitar had 21 minutes and 15 seconds of ice time.

Goals:

LAK: Smyth (19), Ponikarovsky (4)

SJS: Clowe (13); Setoguchi (10)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Sweet 2 @ Caps (chan 1065742)

Kings 4 - Capitals 1

GAME HIGHLIGHTS


Anze Kopitar and the Los Angeles Kings stopped this time in Washington to play against alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.
Jonathan Bernier was between the pipes for LA and he did a great job, he made 22 saves and was beaten just once.
Alex Ovechkin scored in the second minute of the game, so the Caps were one goal infront.
In the second period Anze Kopitar scored his 17th of the season as he roofed the puck to tie the game. After 40 minutes of play the game was tied at 1:1
In the third period there were three goals, all of them in the net behind Varlamov. Loktionov made it 2:1 for LA and Handzus added one more so the Kings were up by two. Later on in the third Stoll one-timed a shot past Varlamov to give the Kings a 4-1 lead with 6:04 remaining. Anze Kopitar had 19 minutes and 28 seconds of ice time, 4 shots on goal and won 71 percent of the faceofs. He added a goal and an assist to his stats.

Goals:

LAK: Kopitar (17), Loktionov (3), Handzus (8), Stoll (16)

WSH: Ovechkin (21)





12/14/11--14:54: Kings gain 2 in Staples (chan 1065742)

Another game in the soldout Staples center, another win for LA and a debut of newest KING, Dustin Penner.
With another 2 points the Kings moved to the fifth place in the West.
Boath goalies did a great job, Bryzgalov made 24 saves and Bernier made 18. This was his 18th start of the season, and he is in the net for LA in the next game against the Vancouver Canucks too.
There were no goals in the first two periods, but in the third, Klesla was sent off for two minutes for hight sticking Anze Kopitar. 41 second later Stoll beat Bryzgalov with his 18th of the season. Kopitar and Smyth earned an assist.
Anze Kopitar played for almost 22 minutes, had one shot on goal and added an assist to his stats. Winger Penner made his debut alongside Kopitar and Simmonds.

Goals:

LAK: Stoll (18)

PHX: /


Game Highlights





12/14/11--14:54: End of Regular Season (chan 1065742)

The Anaheim Ducks beat the Kings again, this time 3:1 and jumped to the fourth place in the Western conference. The Kings outshot 44-20 but Ellis made 43 saves.
In the first 20 minutes Mcmillan and Koivu scored for Anaheim, in the second period Beauchemin made it 3:0 and later on in the period Smyth gave Kings the lone goal.
It is obvious that the Kings miss their top two forwards in Kopitar and Williams, they scored just one pp goal in 23 attempts, and in their last 7 games they scored just 12 times...
If the Blachawks beat Red Wings tonight the Kings will drop to the eight place in the West and they will play against the Canucks in the first round.

Goals:

LAK: Smyth (23)

ANA: Mcmillan (11), Koivu (15), Beauchemin (5)





12/14/11--14:54: Jackets fall in SO (chan 1065742)

Another victory for the LA Kings this time against Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 at Nationwide Arena. The victory extended Los Angeles' point streak to 10 games. On thursday the Kings can match a 31 year old franchise record when they play against the Rangers in Madison Sqouare Garden. They need at least one point.
The Kings were in the lead three times but the Blue Jackets came back every time. Justin Williams scored the first goal of the game but Voracek tied it later on in the first period. In the second period Loktionov gave LA the lead but Nash tied the game again just two minutes later. In the third period Doughty scored from the blue line, but Russell forced the OT just minute and 23 second before the end of regulation. There were no goals in the OT.
Jonathan Quick stopped all three atempts and Stoll scored in the SO to gave Kings the win. Anze Kopitar had 21 minutes of ice time, 2 shots on goal and assisted on a goal by Doughty.

Goals:

LAK: Williams (20), Loktionov (4), Doughty (8) Stoll (SO)

CBJ: Voracek (11), Nash (27), Russell (3)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Anže helps Kings earn point (chan 1065742)

Phoenix Coyotes won second season game against Los Angeles Kings. It was 3:2 in Jobing.com Arena after over time. Anže scored to tie the game for Kings.

It was Jonathan Quick in the Kings goal today. We saw scoreless first period where the teams traded chances throughout the period. The Kings broke the scoreless tie 2:58 into the second period, when Brown picked up the puck behind the Phoenix net and centered a pass toward Mike Richards. The puck got deflected slightly, but Richards grabbed it and scored on a close-range wrist shot. Phoenix tied the game just 2:38 after that. Radim Vrbata had plenty of open ice and carried the puck far right. Quick came down to try to cut down the angle, but Vrbata shot and scored.
Vrbata’s second goal of the period gave the Coyotes a 2-1 lead with 4:37 remaining.

In the third Anže tied the game for the Kings, 6:30 into the period. Smith made the shot on a medium-range shot by Trent Hunter but couldn’t control the rebound. Brad Richardson missed an attempt but Kopitar, to the left of the net, knocked it into the net to tie the game 2-2.

The Coyotes won the game with 43.7 seconds remaining in overtime. Daymond Langkow shoot a short-range shot from the side of the net, and the shot deflected off the stick of Jack Johnson and got into the net.

Anže: 21:04 ice time, 4:39 on PP, 2:25 on SH, 4 shots, 53% FO

Kings will face Colorado on Sunday.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Phoenix Coyotes 2:3 (0:0, 1:2, 1:0, 0:1)
Richards 23., Kopitar 47.; Vrbata 26., 36., Langkow 65.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings strike gold in Edmonton (chan 1065742)

The Los Angeles Kings are playing without two of their top guys, Anze Kopitar was injured in a game against Colorado and Justin Williams dislocated his shoulder...
They stopped in Edmonton to play against the Oilers and won 2:0.
Dustin Brown scored two goals in the second period and Jonathan Bernier made 32 saves in his third shotout of the season. The first time since the Oilers have joined the NHL the Kings have swept a season series from them.
The Kings are now just a point behind Phoenix in the fourth place.


Goals:

LAK: Brown (26, 27)

EDM: /





12/14/11--14:54: Kings Roast them! (chan 1065742)

The Los Angeles Kings ended their 10 game road trip with a win over the Anaheim Ducks. This was the 99th meeting between the rivals. With that win the Kings moved to the sixt spot in the Western conference and are tied with Calgary, Nashwille and Minnesota.
In the first period Smyth gave Kings the lead at 12.13.
Selanne than tied the game just minute and 19 second later.
Anze Kopitar scored his 18th of the season and LA was again leading.
In the second period Perry tied the game with his 31st goal of the season.
Willie Mitchell scored in the third period and ensured the Kings another two points. Jonathan Quick made 25 saves for his 28th victory. Anze Kopitar had three shots on goal in his 20 plus minutes on the ice and he scored his 18th of the season.

Goals:

LAK: Smyth (20), Kopitar (18), Mitchell (2)

ANA: Selanne (20), Perry (31)

Game Highlights






12/14/11--14:54: Kings Win (chan 1065742)

The Kings won their second game during their 8 game homestand.
They won against the Edmonton Oilers 5:2
Penner scored the first goal of the game for Edmonton in the first period. Marco Sturm tied the game later on. Anze Kopitar gave Kings the lead but Cogliano tied it for the Oilers.
In the second period Stoll scored the go-ahead goal.
In the last 20 minutes of the game Kings scored two more. Doughty and Stoll with his second of the game. Anze Kopitar had 1 shot on goal during 22 minutes and 36 seconds of ice time and won 69 percent of the faceoffs. He scored his 16th goal of the season.

Goals:

LAK: Sturm (4), Kopitar (16), Stoll (12, 13), Doughty (3)

EDM: Penner (14), Cogliano (6)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: KINGS VISION ALL STAR ALL ACCESS (chan 1065742)

KINGS VISION
& LA KINGS
present
NHL ALL STAR 2011
ALL ACCESS
with
ANZE KOPITAR

VIDEO

OFFICIAL KINGS VISION





12/14/11--14:54: Kings dropped another one in the OT (chan 1065742)

The Kings started of perfectly. In the first shift Mitchell and Clifford scored 17 seconds a part. Before the end of the first period Handzus made it 3:0. In the begining of the second period Richardson made it 4:0. The Sharks replaced then Niemi with Nittymaki and the offence of the Sharks woke up too. Marleau, Couture and Clowe scored three goals. Just after 15 seconds when the Kings recieved the third goal, veteran Smyth scored the fifth for La and Staples Center exploded again. Later on in the period Clowe scored another one and Pavelski tied the game at 5:5, 30 seconds before the end of the period. There were no goals in the third period and the game went into OT.
Setoguchi beat Quick in the 4th minute of the OT and finished a great comeback for the Sharks.
The next game is on Thursday at Staples Center.

Goals:

LAK: Mitchell (1), Clifford (2), Handzus (1), Richardson (1), Smyth (1)

SJS: Marleau (1), Clowe (1,2), Couture (2), Pavelski (2), Setoguchi (1)





12/14/11--14:54: Kings drop 1st in OT (chan 1065742)

First game of the 2011 playoffs and the Kings were heading to San Jose. In the HP Pavilion they lost in the OT 3:2
Jonathan Quick had 42 saves and Justin Williams had a goal and an assist as he was back in the lineup for LA after missin last 9 regular season games with an upper body injury.
In the first period the Sharks outshot the Kings 14:3 and took the lead in 28th second of the opening period, when Heatley scored after Clowe shot. In the second period the Kings came back, Dustin Brown tied the game on a PP, when Williams made a nice pass for a one timer. 3 minutes later Couture gave the Sharks another lead, but Justin Williams tied the game later on in the period. There were no goals in the third period. In the OT Pavelski scored the decising goal at 14.44. mark. The next game will be on saturday in San Jose.

Goals:

LAK: Brown (1), Williams (1)

SJS: Heatley (1), Couture (1), Pavelski (1)






12/14/11--14:54: Frozen Fury: Win for Avalanche (chan 1065742)

Colorado Avalanche won Frozen Fury. Los Angeles Kings did not repeat last game against Colorado, when they won 6:0, but today lost in Las Vegas 1:4.

Jonathan Quick started in goal last game for Kings in America before trip to Europe. Colorado's first goal come 7:31 remaining in the first period, when Hejduk passed to left to Duchane, who beat Quick with a sharp wrist shot from the left circle. Just 54 seconds after they took the lead, the Avalanche scored again, with Paul Stastny getting credit for the unassisted goal with 6:37 remaining in the period.

Officials waved off a Kings goal 6:58 into the second period, as they ruled that Willie Mitchell’s shot from the left point was deflected into the net by a high stick. Home team got 3:0 lead with a 5-on-3 goal with 8:13 remaining in the second period. Quick made the stop on a close-range shot by Hejduk, but Stastny, unmarked to the right of the net, knocked in the rebound. Fourth goal come as quick as second after first. The Avalanche made it 4-0 lead with a power-play goal just 29 seconds after their third goal. David Jones scored, with the assist to Kyle Quincey.

The Kings got on the scoreboard with a power-play goal 54 seconds into the third, as Gagne crashed the left side of the net, took a pass from Anže and beat Varlamov. Shots were 30-14 for Avalanche.

Kings will now travel to Europe, where they will start their NHL season. But first there is one more preseason game against Hamburg on Tuesday.

Result:
Colorado Avalanche - Los Angeles Kings 4:1 (2:0, 2:0, 0:1)
Duchene 12., Stastny 13., 31., Jones 32.; Gagne 41.

Foto: By LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Another big win against Stars (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings beat the Stars 1-0 last Saturday night in Los Angeles in the only meeting between the teams this season. Today Kings beat Stars 5-3 in American Airlines Center.

Kings didn't start the game well. The Stars scored on PP with 5:59 remaining in the first. Trevor Daley pinched down on the right side, grabbed the rebound before Kings could clear it and scored from close range to give Dallas 1-0 lead. Jonathan Quick shutout streak ended at 2 hours, 2 minutes and 1 second.

Just 3:47 into the second, the Kings managed to tie the game. Anže brought the puck out from behind the net and fed a pass to Voynov at the top of the right circle. Justin Williams picked up the rebound and shot and scored to tie the game. 8:33 remaining in second, Scott Parse gave the Kings the lead. Richards played the puck near the Stars goal line and sent a blind, backhand pass through the crease. The puck got past Lehtonen and right onto the stick of Parse, who tapped it in from two feet away to give the Kings a 2-1 lead. Anže started the action for 3:1 lead. He pushed the puck on PP to Brown in fron of the net, and Brown deftly passed the puck to the right circle, where Slava Voynov pinched down and scored ona a one-timer for hist first NHL goal 4:39 remaining in second.

The Stars did tie the game in third, when Michael Ryder and Eric Nystrom scored in 44. and 48. minute. But the Kings got pretty quick answer to that. 6:52 remaining in regulation the puck found its way to the top of the right circle in the Dallas zone, and Voynov didn’t hesitate as he cranked a one-time shot. With Trevor Lewis running traffic in front, the shot beat Lehtonen. The final result was made by captain Dustin Brown, who scored into an empty net with asissts to Richards and Anže.

The crowd was announced at 8,443, but there were only about half that number in the seats. Local interest in the Texas Rangers' World Series Game 6 at St. Louis helped keep attendance lower. The Kings opened a three-game trip. They will now play against Coyotes on Saturday.

Anže stats: 20:57 minutes, 4:46 on PP and 4:36 on SH. 4 shots, 50 % FO.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Dallas Stars 5:3 (0:1, 3:1, 2:2)
Williams 24., Parse 32., Voynov 36., 54., Brown 60.; Daley 15., Ryder 44., Nystrom 48.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Anze is feeling better and better every day (chan 1065742)

After a successful surgery to repair torn ligament in his right ankle Anze Kopitar is feeling well and is optimisticly looking forward.
In the interview below he talks about his feelings after his first big surgery, about the 10/11 Kings season and the Slovenian national team.

Anze you underwent an operation to repair the torn ligament in your right ankle. How do you feel right now, is the pain still there?

This was my first "big" surgery, it is true that i was injured in my first season with the Kings, where i missed 10 games due to an "upper body" injury, but all i needed then was just some rehabilitation. That is why i was not so sure what to expect but the doctors here did a great job. I was told that when i woke up of the narcosis and it is nice to hear such a positive thing.
The pain is still there but each day i am feeling better. Today i hawe an examination so the doctors will tell how long my rehabilitation will be and if i am getting a new cast for my leg. Hopefully i will receive an special ortopedic shoe.

Right now you do not know exactly how your rehabilitation will be?

Not exactly, right now it is important that i rest and hold my leg a bit high. The doctors will decide when is OK to start with my rehabilitation.

For now you are staying in LA. Will your first trainings take place there or will you start with the trainings back home in Slovenija?

I will stay in Los Angeles for some time right now. As far as i know, the Kings want to have me here, becouse of the fiziotheraphy, which is normal. About my trip back home i have no plans yet.

Aain you had a great season with the team, how can you compare it to the previous seasons and are you satisfied with your game?

Yes i can. I was pretty close to a point per game, my /- stats are better, my faceoff percent is better so i think i made some progress, hopefully when i come back i will continue in that direction.

Anze right now you are watching the Kings on TV, how does it fell?

To be honest it is easier to play than watch. When you look at the game you have all kinds of ideas in your head, but when you are on the ice, you have not that much time, everything happens much quicker. It is not the best feeling in the world if you can not help, but an injury is an injury and i am doing my best to support the guys out there. I am the biggest fan right now.

What about your predictions? How far do you think the Kings can go? The playoffs are already assured.

The playoffs are really close but it is not over yet. The last four games will be hard. We want to win the home ice advantage it means we have to stay on the fourth place in the Western conference. So those games are important. For the playoffs... As we have seen last year u never know what is going to happen, it ia always very interesting and of course i want that we will go further than last year.

Your thougts will also be with the Slovenian national team in Slovakia. What do you expect?

Over the last years the young guys showed that they can play for the A team wich is great. There is a new generation that will have to play in the first line and a bit oulder guys will play in the third and fourth lines. I think that is great, the players will get a lot of new experiences in the "big games". Hopefully we will stay in the A group but it will be really hard. We have to take each game individualy and show no fear. We will see how it will end up. I am holding my fingers crossed.









12/14/11--14:54: Two asissts not enough against Canucks (chan 1065742)

Even with the highest level of discipline, the Kings would have had their hands full with the Vancouver Canucks. A disastrous first six minutes set the tone for the Kings, though, and they went on to a 3-2 loss to the Canucks on Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 18,118 at Staples Center.

The Kings trailed 3-0 by the end of the first period, and given their offensive woes this season, that was too much to overcome. The Kings scored a second-period goal, and made it interesting with a late-third-period goal, but they failed to score three regulation goals for the 13th time in 16 games this season.

Anže had 2 asissts and was the second star of the game. Ice time: 23:22, FO: 61,5%, S: 6.

Result
Vancouver Canucks - Los Angeles Kings 3:2 (3:0, 0:1, 0:1)
Salo 7., Ebbett 8., Rome 16.; Doughty 31., Richards 59.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings lost against the Islanders (chan 1065742)

Kings 0 - Islanders 3

GAME HiGHLIGTHS

The last game for the Kings on their road trip did not go according to plan. They lost 3:0 against the Islanders and are heading now to los Angeles.
In the first period Nielsen scored a shorthanded goal assisted by Grabner.
The kings started of better in the second period by creating some chances but Montoya stayed unbeaten, Moulson scored for the Islanders later on in the period.
In the third period the Kings again created some good chances but Moulson scored his scond of the game and made it 3:0
Anze Kopitar played for more than 20 minutes, had 5 shots on goal but his stats stayed the same.

Goals:

LAK:/

NYI: Nielsen (7), Moulson (22, 23)





12/14/11--14:54: Third straight win, new point for Anže (chan 1065742)

Kings beated Coyotes in Jobing.com Arena for their third win in a road. This time it was 2:0 for Kings, which means new shutout for Jonathan Quick and his 100th career NHL victory.

In first period the Coyotes outshot the Kings 11-8, but visitors had the best two chances. Lewis almost scored in shorthanded, while Brown didn't score from point-blank range late. At the end of the first, the Coyotes got penalty for hooking.

Kings entered the second period on power-play. Anže did a nice job with backhand pass to Richards, who passed nice centering pass to Dustin Brown, and he found open ice in front of the net. Smith made the initial stop but Brown poked the puck and pushed it over the line for 1-0. Second goal for Kings come 4:37 remaining in the second part of the game. Kings fourth line made a great counterattack, when Westgarth carried the puck up the right side, then fed a tape-to-tape, cross-ice pass to Kyle Clifford at the top of the left circle. He fired a shot past Smith and give the Kings 2-0 lead.

The first goal of the season from Clifford was the last one on today's game. Kings got their third straight victory, while Coyotes lost their second on a road. Anže played for 24:51 minutes, 4:39 on PP and 4:09 on SH. He was 58% in FO.

Kings will play their next game on Saturday night at Staples agains Stars from Dallas.

Result:
Los Angeles Kings - Phoenix Coyotes 2:0 (0:0, 2:0, 0:0)
Brown 21., Clifford 36.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Stars rally to beat Kings 3-2 in OT (chan 1065742)

The Dallas Stars refused to let the Los Angeles Kings beat them again.

The Stars lost the first two meetings with L.A., and were 20 minutes away from a third consecutive loss to their Pacific Division rivals. But Dallas rallied from a two-goal deficit to force overtime before Steve Ott's goal 2:56 into OT gave the Stars a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.

Quick had won his previous six starts against Dallas and the Kings were 8-1-1 in their past 10 road meetings with the Stars.

The Stars trailed 2-0 entering the third period but got goals by Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson to force overtime. Eriksson tied it with 21 seconds left, beating Jonathan Quick with a 15-foot wrister after a pass by Benn sprung him down the left side.

For the most part, things were quiet in the opening 20 minutes. Los Angeles center Mike Richards was denied on a breakaway by Kari Lehtonen at 3:05, and a 40-foot slap shot by Ribeiro two minutes later hit the crossbar.

L.A. made it 2-0 just 36 seconds later when Kevin Westgarth blistered a wrister from 50 feet to the right of Lehtonen for his first goal of the season at 5:29. The goal was set up by Dallas winger Radek Dvorak turning the puck over in his own end. After it deflected off Ethan Moreau, Westgarth quickly converted to make it a two-goal game.

Ott won it when he took a great pass from Stephane Robidas and beat Quick on his left side.

Anže played 25:44 minutes, had 4 shots on goal and was 58% in FO. Kings will host Blackhawks ons Saturday, 4.30 pm.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Dallas Stars 2:3 (0:0, 2:0, 0:2, 0:1)
Richards 25., Westgarth 26.; Benn 43., Eriksson 60., Ott 63.

Stats

Foto: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings finishing road trip with 4th straight (chan 1065742)

After wins in Detroit, Columbus and Dallas, the Kings also won in Nasville against the predators. With those ekstra 2 points the Kings mowed to fourth place in the West.
It was a big game for "IRON" Anze who played his 325th consecutive game and set a new franchize record who was held by Marcel Dion with 324 consecutive games in Kings yersey. Anze CONGRATS!
The game against the Predators stardet of prety intensevly, a lot of skating, a lot of hits but not much shots on the net. The Kings managed just 6 shots in the first period but Anze Kopitar beat Rinne from a close range on an assist by Penner. Just two minutes before the end of the firs Blum tied it with a shot from the blue line. In the second period the Kings scored twice. Second goal of the game was scored by Martinez who skated on a breakaway with Brown and got a nice crossice pass. Simmonds made it 3:1 later on. In the third period J-P Dumont scored for the Predators but Brown scored an EN and his 22. of the season minute before the end. Anze Kopitar assisted on a Simmonds goal, scored his 25th of the season and had 21 minutes and 7 seconds of ice time.

Goals:

LAK: Kopitar (25), MArtinez (5), Simmonds (13), Brown (22)

NSH: Blum (2), J-P Dumont (10)

Game Highlights






12/14/11--14:54: Stars beat the Kings (chan 1065742)

In the last 10 meetings between those two teams the Kings won 8 times. This was a big night for Jamie Langenbrunner, he reached amilestone of 1000 NHL games and scored a go ahead goal in the second period.
The Kings started of better and Justin Williams scored in the first to give them a lead. In the second period Ericksson scored on a PP and Langenbrunner added one also with a man advantage.
The Kings tried everithing in the third, they also pulled of golie Bernier, they almost scored but defensman Woywitka pulled the puck off the goal line, giving the Kings the penalty shot with 52.4 seconds left. Lehtonen stopped defensman Johnson with a pad save and ensured Dallas 2 points. Anze Kopitar played more than 20 minutes, had two shots on goal and assisted on a Kings lone goal.

Goals:

LAK: Williams (17)

DAL: Eriksson (17), Langenbrunner (5)


GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Hackett and Wild top Kings 4-2 (chan 1065742)

Matt Hackett is having a magical start to his NHL career, and he's taking the Minnesota Wild with him.

Two days after he beat the San Jose Sharks in his NHL debut, the 21-year-old goaltender won his first NHL start in a 4-2 victory Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings that gave Minnesota a franchise-record sixth straight road win and its sixth consecutive win overall.

"I can't even explain it," Hackett said of the past 72 hours. "It's been crazy. The best 72 hours of my life so far. We've got to keep it going."

Minnesota holds the top spot in the overall NHL standings with 41 points -- including the first three-game California sweep in franchise history -- despite ranking in the bottom five in the League in scoring, shots on goal and shots against.

But, boy, what a story the Wild and Hackett have become.

After stopping all 34 shots he faced when he was inserted 1:11 into Tuesday's 2-1 win at San Jose due to an injury to Josh Harding, Hackett stopped 42 of a season-high 44 shots by L.A. He finally allowed his first NHL goal 3:59 into the third period when Dustin Penner put in the rebound of Jack Johnson's shot to pull L.A. to 3-1.

After Cody Almond's goal at 11:42 restored the Wild's three-goal lead, Trent Hunter added a late goal for the Kings, who were held to no more than two goals for the seventh game in a row despite firing 18 shots at Hackett in the final 20 minutes.

"It was awesome," Hackett said. "I loved the pressure at the end there. The boys stepped up and we finished it off."

Somewhere Jeff Hackett was smiling. It was probably past his bedtime in London, Ont., but the uncle of Matt Hackett and former longtime veteran goalie said in a phone interview earlier Thursday that his nephew has poise.

"He's got quick feet," Jeff Hackett said. "They say that's his strength. As he's developing here as a pro, he's reading the play better. I think he just loves being a goalie. He loves the competitiveness of the position."

A key to the Wild's success this season is their ability to win close games. They had won each of their past nine one-goal games entering Thursday and were 11-2-3 in that category. But this one wasn't nearly as difficult.

Minnesota took a 3-0 lead into third period, which might as well have been 13-0 given that it has allowed the fewest third-period goals in the NHL while L.A. ranked 28th in third-period scoring.

"It was nice to have a good start," first-year coach Mike Yeo said. "It was nice not to have to sit here and talk about another attempt or a great job coming from behind and I thought we were sharp right from the get-go.

"This is a group, we talk about winners aren't satisfied. We can come in and say, 'This is great. We've won five in a row.' Not with this group, though. We got a bunch of winners in there that just want to go out and they're hungry for more."

The Kings are hungry for offense -- they continue to struggle to put the puck in the net.

"Look at our shot pool," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "In 40-whatever shots we got two goals. We have to find ways to score goals. I give Hackett credit. He made some pretty big saves."

The Wild got a goal from Almond and a plus-2 night by newly recalled Jeff Taffe.

"A lot of guys coming up in (AHL affiliate) Houston and really stepping in and doing a great job for us," forward Dany Heatley said. "It's a fun team to play on."

The Wild were outshot 13-7 in the second period but got two goals on those seven shots and killed a five-minute major boarding penalty by Kyle Brodziak.

Darroll Powe banged home the puck amid a flailing Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi during a goalmouth scramble at 1:25 to end a sequence that started with Dustin Brown's turnover near the wall. Defenseman Marco Scandella finished off a rush when he grabbed Dany Heatley's pass and wristed in a shot from the high slot at 16:02.

"We're a team that, whenever they score, we score," Heatley said. "We don't change. We don't let things affect us. (But) it was nice to get the lead."

In between, Brodziak was given a major for a hit on Kopitar at 4:48 of the second period. Kopitar stayed motionless on the ice and went to the bench but only missed a shift.

Kings coach Terry Murray was outspoken about the play.

"I don't get the attitude, the mentality of players today, the lack of respect," Murray said.

"The jeopardy they're putting their fellow PA member in with that kind of attitude. It makes no sense. And that never happened before. In my generation, that never happened. You rode a guy in hard, but you got him into a situation where you're both standing up and the boards will absorb your hit. Today's it's almost intent to hurt somebody."

Minnesota got a rare early goal when Jared Spurgeon's slap shot hit the end boards, and Mikko Koivu collected the puck behind the net before slipping a wraparound under Jonathan Quick's pads just 24 seconds after the opening faceoff. It was the fastest goal on the road in Wild history.

"It's a killer," Murray said. "That first shift is such an easy play. It's just a simple d-to-d, behind the net play and you're out of your zone. There's really no pressure. We made the mistake. We put the puck at our teammates' feet.

"Those plays are the ones that are haunting us right now -- our own mistakes."

Kings defenseman Alec Martinez returned to the lineup after he missed 10 games with an upper-body injury.

Result
Minnesota Wild - Los Angeles Kings 4:2 (1:0, 2:0, 1:2)
Koivu 1., Powe 22., Scandella 37., Almond 52.; Penner 45., Hunter 57.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: The Kings lost to the Blackhawks for the seventh straight time (chan 1065742)

Jonathan Toews scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Andrew Brunette also found the net and Duncan Keith had two assists, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

The Kings lost to the Blackhawks for the seventh straight time and fourth in a row at home. Jarret Stoll ended a 17-game goal drought and Jonathan Quick stopped 25 shots. Mike Richards' goal-scoring streak ended at five games

The puck went back to Keith, whose long screened wrist shot went wide of the left post on a deflection off teammate Viktor Stalberg. But Toews was right there to get the hard carom off the end boards and slam it home behind Quick, who stuck out his right leg too late. It was the second straight game-winner and fourth this season for the Blackhawks' captain, who had two goals and three assists in the win over the Ducks..

Chicago, 9-0-1 when scoring first, got the jump on the Kings at 3:08 of the opening period. Brunette scored on a wraparound, as Quick tried to scramble around teammate Anze Kopitar and Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland in the crease to cover the right post. Chicago is 5-0 when Brunette scores a goal, and in four of those games he got their first one.

The Blackhawks had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 about 8 minutes into the second period, as Stalberg and Patrick Kane flashed down the ice on a 2-on-none break. But Stalberg shot wide of the right post after getting Kane's cross-ice feed, and the opportunistic Kings tied it with 7:58 to go in the period.

Matt Greene's shot from the right point was blocked by Keith, but the puck caromed to Stoll, and he beat Crawford high to the glove side with a 25-foot wrist shot for his first goal since Oct. 18.

Anže played 22:34 minutes and had 4 shots and was 47in FO. Kings will face San Jose Sharks on Monday at Staples Center.

Result
Chicago Blackhawks - Los Angeles Kings 2:1 (1:0, 1:1, 0:0)
Brunette 4., Toews 37.; Stoll 33.

Stats

Photo: LaKigns.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings won their last preseason (chan 1065742)

LA Kings won in Hamburg against Freezers, their last preseason game. Kings won 5:4, and Anže Kopitar again played a big part in this win. He scored and got two asissts.

This was the first game for the Kings in Europe and also the last one before Friday's start of NHL 11/12 season vs Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden. This was also first game for Drew Doughty this year. Kings got the first gol in first minute when Kopi passed to Williams and he scored for 1:0. Freezers got back in the game and got the lead in second with 3:2. But Kings did not give up. Kopi made it 3:3 and got asisst for 5:3 in third and the game was decided. Kings got goals also from Martinez, Stoll and Moreau.

Kings will play their first game in this year's NHL on Friday at 7 AM CET in Stockholm, Sweden.

Result:
Hamburg Freezers - Los Angeles Kings 4:5 (2:2, 1:2, 1:1)
Aubin 12., 31., Schmidt 17., Brooks 60.; Williams 1., Martinez 13., Kopitar 33., Stoll 40., Moreau 44.

Stats

Foto: by LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings get important point in SO (chan 1065742)

After the all star brake the season is on the way again.
The Kings started their three week long road trip that could define
their season. In the first game they stopped in Minnesota to play against the Wild.
Both team could not score, Bernier and Backstrom were at the top of their game and the game ended scoreles.
Bernier earned his first shotout this season and stopped Marty Havlat to start the shootout before Bouchard beat him. Backstrom
also made some great saves and after 8 straight losses in the SO he stayed unbeaten this time. Anze Kopitar played for more than 23 minutes, had 2 shots on goal and won 76 perccent of the faceoffs.

Goals:

MIN: Pierre-Marc Bouchard

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: An asisst and goal for win in Honda Center (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings won their sixth preseason game. This time Kings won in Honda Center, home of Ducks, who lost 1:3. Anže Kopitar got an asisst for second Kings goal and scored an empty-net goal late in third.

Jonathan Berier started in Kings goal, while Drew Doughty did not play jet. Anže was playing in first line together with Simon Gagne and Scott Parse. In scoreless first period we can see the Ducks had the better of the chances and outshot Kings 11-7.

After generating almost no strong scoring chances in the first period, the Kings scored just 1:08 into the second period. Mike Richards went toward the front of the net, took a shot pass from Dwight King and beat Hiller with a close-range wrist shot for his first goal of the preseason. Dustin Brown also got an assist.

The Ducks tied the game with 9:07 remaining in the second period, as the Kings allowed their first power-play goal of the preseason. Lubomir Visnovsky passed left to Teemu Selanne, who ripped a high, one-time slap shot past Bernier. Ryan Getzlaf also got an assist. The Kings had been 18-for-18 on the penalty kill in the preseason.

Willie Mitchell gave the Kings a 2-1 lead with 5:43 remaining in the third period. Mitchell found open ice near the top of the left circle, took a pass from Anže and ripped a shot to the far corner of the net. Simon Gagne also got an assist.

Final result came 26 seconds remaining when Anže scored an empty-net goal for 3:1 for Kings. Dustin Penner was a late scratch from the game, with an undisclosed injury.

Anže played for 18:55 minutes, 2:06 in PP and 0:15 in SH. He had 5 shots and was 41% in FO. Kings will play their next game tonight in Las Vegas against Colorado and than they will go in Europe.

Result:
Anaheim Ducks - Los Angeles Kings 1:3 (0:0, 1:1, 0:2)
Selanne 31.; Richards 22., Mitchell 55., Kopitar 60.

Stats

Foto: by LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Third game, first loss (chan 1065742)

Bobby Ryan swatted in a loose puck off a faceoff with 48.8 seconds remaining to lift Anaheim to a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at the Honda Center on Tuesday night.

The Ducks blew a two-goal lead for the third straight game, but finally prevailed for new coach Bruce Boudreau's first victory after an 0-2 start.

It was only Anaheim's fourth victory in the past 22 games.

The Southern California rivals are tied for 28th in the NHL in scoring, and the game played out as expected.

Both teams went scoreless on two power plays. Kings coach Terry Murray mixed up all his lines late in the game, but L.A. completed the comeback by way of a Cam Fowler clearing pass that took a weird bounce off the glass.

Jarret Stoll collected it and dished to Justin Williams for bang-in goal from the right side at 8:50. That ended a 17-game goal-scoring drought for Williams, who was demoted to the third line last week before taking back his usual top line left-wing spot.

Dustin Penner helped pull the Kings to 2-1 with 15 seconds to go in the second period, when he zipped a nifty pass from the corner that Slava Voynov snapped in off Jonas Hiller's blocker hand.

Anaheim's top two lines had a strong first 40 minutes and gave it a 2-0 lead.

Corey Perry tapped in Ryan Getzlaf's pass from the slot to finish a nice cycle play at 7:59. Getzlaf got away from Colin Fraser near the corner as L.A.'s fourth line got caught out against Anaheim's No.1 line.

A Jonathan Quick turnover led to the Ducks' first goal. Francois Beauchemin dumped it in and Quick had his pass to Rob Scuderi picked off by Teemu Selanne, who fed a falling Ryan for an open-net score at 17:37.

Perry briefly left the game in the second period when he fell awkwardly and took a cross check from Penner while prone.

Anže played 22:37 minutes, had 3 shots on goal and was 55in FO. The Kings will face the Wild on Thuersday, 7.30 pm.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Anaheim Ducks 2:3 (0:2, 1:0, 1:1)
Voynov 40., Williams 49.; Ryan 8., 60., Perry 18.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Ouick's fourth shutout for 12th win (chan 1065742)

11th sellout of Staples Center, 4th shutout for Jonathan Quick and first goal of the season of Eathan Moreau and 11h of Mike Richards was enough for the Kings win over Sharks.

he Kings took the lead 8:37 into the first period with a fourth-line goal. Fraser delivered a check behind the Sharks’ net, and Ethan Moreau picked up the puck and played it toward the net, but it went off the skate of San Jose’s Torrey Mitchell and into the San Jose net. The Kings outshot the Sharks 16-11, went 0-for-1 on the power play and did not face a penalty kill in the first period.

A 4-on-4 goal gave the Kings a 2-0 lead 4:16 into the second period. Mitchell pushed the puck behind the Sharks’ net, where Gagne picked it up. He found Mike Richards with a centering pass, and Richards beat Niemi from close range for his team-high 11th goal of the season.

The Kings appeared to take a three-goal lead with a 4-on-4 goal 6:03 into the third, but the goal was disallowed after a video review, as officials ruled that Voynov kicked the puck into the net.

Anže played for 23:10 minutes, had 1 shot on goal and was 59% in FO. He played in first line with Dustin Brown and Trevor Hunter after Terry Murray mixed the lines on Sunday practice. The Kings will face the Panthers on Thuersday.

Result
San Jose Shakrs - Los Angeles Kings 0:2 (0:1, 0:1, 0:0)
Moreau 9., Richards 36.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: Kings get 2nd in 2 nights (chan 1065742)

Kings 1 – Flyers 0

Kopy 1A

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

In back-2-back game in a tuff atmosphere of Wells Fargo Center Kings had much to prove. In order to stay in the playoff berth chase, they needed to pitch both two points. With line-ups unchanged for the second in a row LA showed character towards a top Eastern Conference team.
LA managed to shut down offensive game of Flayers, but on the other side they had to face a strong-hold in Kings offensive zone. The only goal in the game was scored in the beginning of the second period, when Simmonds poke-checked the puck behind Flyers net, puck was picked up by Kopy who served a nice one-time pass to Doughty who did not miss this opportunity.
Kings were able to have a successful tour so far clinching 8 of 10 possible road points and are still very involved in playoff race. Currently they are in 8th place.





12/14/11--14:54: Lost to Blues (chan 1065742)

Another loss for the strugling Kings. This time against the St. Blues 2:1. The Kings had a great start into the season but right now their are in the slump, they have lost nine times in eleven games and are now in the 12th spot in the West.
In the first period Berglund scored for the Blues on a PP. The Kings tied the game in the second period. In the third Johnson made it 2:1
Anze had 23 minutes and 38 seconds of ice time, had 4 shots on goal and won 60 percent of the faceoffs.

Golas:

LAK: Clifford (4)

STL: Berglund (9) Johnson (5)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Kings get 2 large @ Staples (chan 1065742)

The Los Angeles Kings earned 2 big points with a win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday at the Staples Center.
They have now 96 points and are on the fourth place in the Western conference.
There were no goals in the first 20 minutes of the game.
In the second period Simmonds scored a go ahead goal but the lead did not last long. Brad Richards tied the game just minute and 13 seconds later.
In the third Mat Greene scored his second of the season to gave Kings a 2:1 lead and Dustin Brown scored an EN goal to ensure the Kings two points.

Goals:

LAK: Simmonds (14), Greene (2), Brown (28 EN)

DAL: Richards (26)






12/14/11--14:54: Canucks beat Kings to clinch Presidents' Trophy (chan 1065742)

The Canucks did not allowed Kings to take them away two points and for the first time in their history they ensured themselfs a home ice advantage in the playoffs. 4 games before the end of regular season they won Presidents trophy.
In the first period Clifford gave Kings the lead as he finished a perfect pass from Doughty.
In the second period first Daniel Sedin tied the game and in the last second of the period Ehrhoff scored to gave Canucks the lead.
In the third period the Kings had 0 shots on Luongo and Kesler set the final result 3:1. The Kings are still on the fifth place in the Westeren conference.


Goals:

LAK: Clifford (6)

VAN: D. Sedin (41), Ehrhoff (13), Kesler (37)





12/14/11--14:54: Great game for great fans! (chan 1065742)

Anže had a great night in Denver, when he scored first time after his leg injury. He did it in style and scored three times against Colorado, the team which LA played against when Anže got injured. After the game he was very happy and satisfied, but completely suprised when he saw a lots of mentions from fans on Twitter. Thank you all for your support! Kopi will give his best always, like he did it in Denver vs Colorado.

Here are just few of those mentions (you can follow Anze's Eleven on Twitter @AnzeKopitar):

@Jer4Strings - Dammit! His last hat truck was on the road too! Let's see more of that! Especially at home!

@micheletsuzuki - Kopi - Hat trick ! (^o^)

@shannonrose23 - so glad to have you back!!! it's like you never left with how you played tonight!!! congrats!! lookin forward to a great season

@loveemaee - I love the Los Angeles Kings. Especially AnzeKopitar because he's my favorite. Go Kings Go! Good job tonight!

@taylorguidera - nice hat trick! Way to get back in the game after your injury!

@ReignMaker19 - Best Player on ice! Keep up the good work and sign my jersey :)

@karenberan - See...I said someone needed to score goals, and you did! You're welcome! :) Great job...keep it going.

@DeniseNg102685 - You guys are going to have an AWESOME season this season. Cannot wait to see you guys play in October against he Devils.

@dmango31 - Congrats Kopi! I've got a good feeling about this year for you and the KINGS!!! See you in Vegas :-)

@HonnyJartman22 - great job with the hat trick kopi. Hopefully more to come this season. GO KINGS GO!!!

@Motherpluker - way to go Mister! so glad you're back!





12/14/11--14:54: ANZE TO THE ALL STAR GAME! (chan 1065742)

Anze Kopitar will be the only Kings player to reprezent the WEST in the 2011 all star game in North Carolina on dec.30.

On behalf of anzeseleven... CONGRATS!!!





12/14/11--14:54: Anže before departure to States (chan 1065742)

Early morning on Monday 5th of September Central European Time Kopi takes off back to California, where he will join his teammates in Los Angeles training camp. During this official closure of his training and rehabilitation time during this summer, he has shared few details over his summer activities and his thoughts of upcoming season.
His training base this summer was town of Bled, where he has gone through most of training steps. Joined by Gasper, his younger brother and few other Slovenian players, he was trained and guided by father Matjaz. »Summer has not been different as any other so far. Close to zero off days, no vacation and lots of training. Most of my program was similar to past summer workouts, but we did increase intensity. I am in optimum conditioning and I hope that management in Los Angeles will confirm it as I come over. I feel great and barely wait for season to start.« Last year's injury recovery is at the end 5 month after accident occurred. »Everything about injury is normal. My leg doesn't hurt anymore, it actually didn't all through summer and I could focus on my workout. Obviously there were some drills that have been modified, but all in all it went better than planned.«
Kings made many steps into becoming serious Cup contenders through all five seasons Kopi played; this season should be another important step forward. Mike Richards, Simon Gagne and late addition of Ethan Moreau should give more punch to the team, »We were one of very active teams on the market during summer. We landed strong deals and we did get players that will help us on our path to final goal. On the other hand we did lose Wayne and Brayden in these deals and I hope that they will both fit into new teams. I didn't talk to them yet, but I am hoping to have a chat once I am back in States.« Besides Simmonds and Schenn, team lost also Michael Handzus to San Jose, Ryan Smith left to Oilers and Oscar Möller returned to Europe.
As a player Kopi wants to develop each season, he wants to give more to the team and Anže has higher goals as he did in the past, »The goal is clear, that is no secret. But there are many steps to it. As a team we need to be much more constant through all 82 games and of course making the play-offs. For the past two seasons we were eliminated in first round, now we must take this huge step forward and go past round one.«
Kings will their first preseason game on 21st of Sept against Phoenix in a double team game (one half of the team will play in Phoenix, the other in L.A.). On 25th they will match up with highway rivals Ducks, two days later they will play in Kansas City against Penguins. With back-to-back game they will travel to Colorado, on 30th Kings and Colorado will play in MGM in Las Vegas in famous Frozen Fury. After Frozen Fury Kings will travel to Europe, where they will play in Hamburg Germany on 4th of Oct and then NHL premiere starts. 7th Oct in Stockholm (SWE) against Rangers, day later 8th of Oct in Berlin (D) against Buffalo.

Tekst: Luka Dolar
Foto: Matic Klanšek





12/14/11--14:54: Kings fall again (chan 1065742)

Kings 1 - Ducks 2

Game highlights

The Los Angeles Kings lost their second straight game infront of a home crowd. They lost against the Anaheim Ducks in OT and still earned a point. Now they are in the fifth place in the Western conference.
Emery made 31 saves for the Duck and Quick stopped 23 shots on the other side.
In the first period McMilan scored for Anaheim. There were no goals in the second period. In the third period Brown tied the game with his 23rd of the season. The game went into OT, where Perry scored his 37th goal in the second minute of the OT. The Ducks are keeping their hopes for the Playoffs alive. Anze Kopitar had three shots on goal in 24 minutes of ice time, he won 63 percent of the faceofs and his stats stayed the same.

Goals:

LAK: Brown (23)

ANA: McMilan (10), Perry (OT 37)





12/14/11--14:54: Kings lose against Blues (chan 1065742)

The Kings lost again, this time against the St. Louis Blues 3:1.
Handzus scored for the Kings.
Coach Murray made some changes in the offence, so the first line was again Smyth, Kopitar and Williams but Kings just could not score. The only goal for LA was scored in the second period by Handzus. Anze Kopitar played for 22 minutes and 10 second and had 5 shots on goal.

Goals:

LAK: Handzus (7)

STL: Crombeen (4), Reaves (2), Steen (15)

GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: Coyotes blank Kings (chan 1065742)

The Kings had more shots, more chances, but Coyotes had Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov stopped all 36 shots on goal in his 19th career shotout.
There were no goals n the first period, LA had 10 shots, Phoenix just 6. In the second period the Coyotes had just 4 shots ut they scored twice. Hanzal scored first, disputed goal was allowed to stand despite the fact that he hit the puck with a high stick.
Stempniak made it 2:0 later on in the period.
The Kings tried everithing but Bryzgalov stood tall in the back.
Anze Kopitar had 4 shots in 23 minutes and half on the ice. The next game for La is against the Coyotes again, this time in Phoenix.

Goals:

PHX: Hanzal (10), Stempniak (12)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS





12/14/11--14:54: More than 23.000 eur of charity funds (chan 1065742)

Anže, his friends and partners, have teamed up in 1st Anze’s Eleven Charity Golf tournament. More than 50 business partners of main partner SKB, Anze’s Eleven business partners, Sava d.d., Sava Hotels Bled d.d., Class I, Maros d.o.o. and Forvvard d.o.o., have raise more than 23.000 EUR that were given into Slovenian community.

As SKB’s executive managing director of bank, André-Marc Prudent and Anže noted, 10.000 eur was donated to Hospital in Jesenice, close to 8.000 eur was donated to Association of Youth Friends for socially handicapped children’s summer vacation and. They both invited everyone present as well as winder public to keep donating all over the summer month, when Anze’s Eleven and SKB will donate funds for school kits for children across Slovenia. Currently there are close to 6.000 eur in the pot.





12/14/11--14:54: Party in Staples - 5:0 vs Blues (chan 1065742)

What a homeopener for Kings! The Kings beated St. Louis in Staples Center on their first home game with 5:0. Anže had a goal and an asisst, while Simon Gagne scored twice and also got an asisst. Jonathan Quick made 27 saves for his 15th career shutout.

The Kings took a 1:0 lead 7:20 into the first, after a flurry of chances. Gagne entered the offensive zone after a pass from Stoll and took a wrist shot, but Halak made the stop and Gagne skated through traffic in front of the net, picked up his own rebound and scored from close range.

8:24 remaining in the second period and there was 2:0 for Kings. Stoll got centering pass from Brown and he crashed the net and scored on a one-timer. Also first asisst for Penner. 3:0 lead came with a 5 on 3. Richards held the puck near the middle of the left circle, then sent the puck to the net. Brown whacked at the puck twice, and sent it past Halak the second time.

The Kings needed only 23 seconds of the third period to take a four-goal lead. Anže took a sharp wrist shot from the top of the left circle. Halak got a piece of the shot, but it got through him and over the line. Gagne and Williams got assists. After the goal, Halak was pulled in favor of Brian Elliott.

The Blues had a goal disallowed, after on-ice officials ruled it was knocked in by a high stick, and the Kings took a 5-0 lead less than 40 seconds later. Anže lofted a great pass from one blue line to the other, and Gagne skated under the pass, brought the puck in alone, went wide and lifted a shot into the net from a tight angle.

That was first shutout game for Blues in Staples since 1977 (60 games).

Anže played 17:32 minutes, 2:34 on PP and 2:50 on SH. He made 2 shots and was 65in FO. Next game for Kings will be on Friday, when they will play against Phoenix.

Result:
St. Louis Blues - Los Angeles Kings 0:5 (0:1, 0:2, 0:2)
Gagne 8., 47., Stoll 32., Brown 36., Kopitar 41.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/14/11--14:54: WIN 4 LA! (chan 1065742)

After six game at home the Kings are on another road trip. They stopped in Detroit to play against the Red Wings. After a tough loss 7:4 infront of a home crowd, the Kings were looking for a revenge in Joe Louis arena.
In the first period the Red Wings came out strong and outshot the Kings 11:3. The lone goal was scored by Helm in the sixt minute.
In the second period the Kings tied the game, when Kopitar scored on Howard, as he knocked in the reboud after Penner shot.
Dustin Brown made it 2:1 later in the period on a PP as he tipped in the puck after Martinez shot from the blue line. After 40 minutes of play the Kings had 17 shots on goal and the Red Wings 21.
In the third period there were no goals. Jonathan Quick made couple of great saves and colected 28 of them during the game. He was named the first star of the game. Anze Kopitar had 22 minutes and 7 seconds of ice time, 3 shots on goal and scored his 21st goal of the season.

Goals:

LAK: Kopitar (21), Brown (22)

DET: Helm (10)





12/14/11--14:54: Kings slip in Anaheim (chan 1065742)

For the first time in history both teams from Southern California will play in the playoffs. The Kings already ensured them selfs the spot there but Anaheim got it with a win over the Kings before a selout crowd in Honda center in Anaheim.
In the first period the Kings took a lead, when Smyth opend the scoring. Selanne than scored his 30th and 31st goal of the season to ensure the Ducks two points and a spot in the postseason race.
The next game for the Kings will also be against the Ducks, where they will battle for the home ice advantage.

Goals:

LAK: Smyth (22)

ANA: Selanne (30, 31)





12/14/11--14:54: Kings have received a goal after 221 minutes (chan 1065742)

New Jersey Devils did it. They scored against Kings today in Staples and they are first to that have beaten Kings defense after 221 minutes and 22 seconds. Devils won 3:0 in Staples against Los Angeles Kings.

Today it was Jonathan Bernier against Johan Hedberg. In the first period the Devils outshot the Kings 10-8 and had a couple very close calls in the final seven minutes. Clarkson's shot hit the post and there have been also a goal disallowed because of incidental goalie interference.

Than came bad second period. The Devils broke the scoreless tie with 6:48 remaining in the second. Bernier made a save but the puck stayed in the crease. Dainius Zubrus crashed the net and, as he slid into the crease, was able to direct the puck past Bernier to give the Devils a 1-0 lead. Just about two minutes later it was 2-0 for Devils, when Sykora's cross-ice pass found Patrick Elias in the right circle and he shot into an open net. Devils take 3-0 lead just 1:34 remaining in the period. Sykora found Zubrus with a pass and he shot from near the top of the circle and cleanly beat Bernier short-side to give the Devils a comfort lead.

Scoreless third has brought first shut out for Kings this season. They scored only one goal in six periods against the Devils this season. Shots were 31-23 in favor of the Kings.

Anže has played 18:07 minutes, a bit more than a minute on PP and a bit more than two minutes on SH. He had 3 shots and was 33% in FO. Kings will face Dallas on Thuersday.

Result:
New Jersey Devils - Los Angeles Kings 3:0 (0:0, 3:0, 0:0)
Zubrus 34., 39., Elias 36.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/20/11--00:47: Kings received 8 in Detroit (chan 1065742)

It’s been a cold, snowy day in Detroit. And it's been all red in Detroit. The Red Wings beated the Kings 8:2 in their second this year's game.

The Red Wings scored goals 15 seconds apart in the first two minutes of the game. First, Johnson made an awkward neutral-zone pass to Lewis. The puck deflected off Lewis’ stick, and Cleary took it the other way. Cleary passed to Helm, who then centered the puck to Drew Miller, who tapped it in from close range. Just 15 seconds later, Detroit struck out. Quick stopped up the puck at the goal line, but that only served to leave it for Holmstrom. He centered the puck to Ericsson, and Holmstrom’s shot got deflected by Cody Emmerton past Quick. Quick got pulled in favor of Jonathan Bernier after the Red Wings scored their third goal, on seven shots, at the 8:32 mark. Kronwall shot from just inside the top of the circle, with Dan Cleary buzzing the front of the net, and the high shot beat Quick. Quick was pulled from a game for the first time this season.

For the first time in seven games, the Kings got a first-period goal, and Davis Drewiske got a goal for the second consecutive game. Drewiske started the play when he kept the puck in the Detroit zone at the left point. Penner passed to Williams, who then found Drewiske at the top of the left circle. Drewiske’s wrist shot beat Howard with 2:45 remaining in the first period. The Kings’ momentum lasted less than two minutes, as the Red Wings got their three-goal lead back with 1:25 remaining in the period. Abdelkader passed to Emmerton, and Emmerton’s shot from the slot appeared to deflect off Martinez’s skate before it beat Bernier. Tomas Holmstrom also got an assist.

The Kings pulled back within two goals with 8:57 remaining in the second period. Penner, near the boards, passed to Williams. Williams’ shot was saved but the puck stayed in the crease. Jarret Stoll fought off two Red Wings and knocked the rebound past Howard. Once again, the two-goal margin didn’t last long, as the Red Wings regained their three-goal lead just 1:03 after Stoll’s goal. Zetterberg scored a highlight-reel goal, as he cut to the net and lifted a backhand shot over Bernier’s shoulder from a tight angle to the side of the net. The Kings have allowed five goals in a game for the first time this season. They have not scored six goals in a game this season. Detroit made it a four-goal game with 21.6 seconds remaining in the second period. Pavel Datsyuk went to the front of the net all alone, then tapped a centering pass from Franzen past Bernier.

Detroit’s seventh goal came 7:34 into the third period. Cleary forced the puck away from Johnson behind the Kings’ net, and centered it toward Miller, who beat Bernier from close range for his second goal of the game. The Kings had not allowed seven goals in a game since Feb. 28 of last season, in a 7-4 loss to the Red Wings. Stuart made it a six-goal game with a power-play goal with 8:42 remaining in the third period. With Holmstrom parked in front of Bernier, Stuart sent a high shot past Bernier from the top of the circle. The Kings had not allowed eight goals in a game since an 8-6 loss to Boston on Oct. 12, 2007.

Anže played 19:47 minutes, had one shot on goal and was 59% in FO. The Kings will face Toronto on Monday on their last, fourth game on road.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Detroit Red Wings 2:8 (1:4, 1:2, 0:2)
Drewiske 18., Stoll 32.; Miller 2., 48., Emmerton 2., 19., Kronwall 9., Zetterberg 33., Datsyuk 40., Stuart 52.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/20/11--00:47: Finally! Win after five games (chan 1065742)

That was a sigh of relief coming from the Los Angeles Kings' dressing room.

Dustin Brown scored on a redirect midway through the third period and Jonathan Quick had 24 saves to lead the Kings to a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, ending a five-game skid and giving interim coach John Stevens his first victory.

"It's a great feeling when you break a losing streak," center Anze Kopitar said. "It wasn't pretty but the effort was definitely there. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how. We got the two points."

Brown added an assist and Davis Drewiske also scored for the Kings, who fired Terry Murray on Monday. There is wide-spread speculation that general manager Dean Lombardi is close to hiring former San Jose coach and Calgary GM Darryl Sutter as the permanent coach.

Stevens, elevated from assistant, was serving his second game as interim coach. The Kings have not scored more than two goals in any of their last 10 games since Thanksgiving and came in averaging a league-worst 2.17 goals.

"The status doesn't change; it still feels like a win," Stevens said. "It was just a big win for our team considering this slide we've been on here. The guys played extremely hard tonight."

After a 5-1-1 start to the season, the Kings have gone 9-12-3.

Down a goal heading into the final period, the Kings' slumbering offense may have gotten some help.

At 4:33 of the third, Drewiske - who had yet to score a goal this season - tossed up a shot from the blue line near the left boards. As it sailed toward goalie Curtis Sanford, Brown had one skate in the crease with defenseman Fedor Tyutin nearby. The puck floated into the net high on Sanford's glove side. He quickly protested that Brown had interfered, but a review ruled it was a goal.

"It's funny how the game of hockey works, really," Brown said. "We've struggled to score goals and it's a result of people not being around the net. We get two dirty, greasy goals tonight and win a game. We need more guys around the net consistently and when you start to get that, other goals start to go in - nice goals."

Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel said he took issue with the non-call.

"It wasn't so much when the puck went into the net, it was just prior to that because (Sanford) got bumped first and knocked off balance and he was sideways," Arniel said. "Then the puck obviously went in as he was trying to get himself square."

Sanford was also upset.

"I don't know how that's not goalie interference," he said. "The guy locks skates with me and then pushes my arm out of the way as soon as the shot comes. It's disappointing that some of these calls are missed. I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes."

The Kings then grabbed the lead at the 8:12 mark when Doughty teed it up for a hard slap shot from the right point and Brown redirected it for his sixth of the year.

"We haven't heard that game-winning song in a long time," Doughty said of the music playing in the dressing room. "So to finally hear that, it's definitely a great time. At the same time we have to be happy about this win and cherish it tonight. But when we get to practice tomorrow we've got to get right back to work. We've got to get on a roll and make up for all those games that we've lost."

Quick made the lead stand. Jeff Carter's hard shot with 1:30 to go pinged off the crossbar while a crowd of 16,090 sounded its disappointment. With the Blue Jackets pulling Sanford for an extra attacker in the final seconds, James Wisniewski got off a one-timer that Quick stopped. Carter, who scored in the second for his fourth game in a row with a goal, pounced on the rebound but was unable to get it past Quick.

Los Angeles controlled the puck and the pace for most of the night, putting 41 shots on goal. Sanford had a career-best 39 saves as the Blue Jackets faced a season-high in shots on goal.

"The fact (the Kings) came out the way they did and found a way to win a hockey game was a really good sign of the guys' perseverance that they had to get the job done," Stevens said. "I thought it was terrific."

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Columbus Blue Jackets 2:1 (0:0, 0:1, 2:0)
Drewiske 45., Brown 49.; Carter 37.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/20/11--00:47: Kings go home with win (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown scored a power-play goal and the shootout winner and Jonathan Quick stopped 31 shots in a pulsating 3-2 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night.

The victory was a much needed one for the Kings, who had lost six of seven games. It evened the record of interim coach John Stevens at 2-2, with new bench boss Darryl Sutter expected to be officially introduced Tuesday.

Stevens, who is expected to be retained as an assistant, stressed the positives of the situation the new coach is inheriting.

"The one thing he can rest assured is that we have some quality people here to build around," Stevens said of Sutter. "We've got a lot of good soldiers in the room there who are going to help us get out of this."

Monday was a good first step towards turning things around. For the first time in 12 games, the League's lowest-ranked offense scored 3 goals in a contest, peppering Leafs goaltender James Reimer with 42 shots.

Brown was particularly strong, leading the way with 6 shots on goal and 5 hits. The top line of Brown, Anze and Simon Gagne was dangerous all night, sustaining puck possession in the Leafs' zone and cycling to create multiple scoring chances.

"It's important that we got two points," Brown said. "For everyone, it's been a long road trip -- not only with the travel, but with everything that has gone on."

Only the heroics of Reimer, who made 40 saves, kept the Leafs in the game and allowed them to gain a valuable point in the standings. Toronto coach Ron Wilson lauded his goaltender.

"He played really well, he saw just about every puck in traffic, he made some great saves," said Wilson. "He had some trouble at times handling the puck, but I'd be nitpicking. He made the saves we needed."

Reimer, who has struggled recently since after returning from a concussion, drew confidence from his performance.

"I was reading the play and the pucks were hitting me," Reimer said. "To get that result, it just gives you more confidence. When they're not going your way, you have to work hard and fight and be mentally tough to give yourself confidence and this it just gives you a little bit of a boost."

Reimer and Quick both had to be sharp right from the opening faceoff. In a wide-open first period, the Leafs outshot the Kings 15-14. Justin Williams opened the scoring at 7:54 when he took advantage of a strange bounce off a dump-in by Drew Doughty. The puck caromed off the glass right into the slot and Williams beat Reimer with a wrist shot for his fifth of the season.

The Leafs answered just over three minutes later, as Matt Frattin's aggressive forecheck forced Quick to fire the puck blindly around the boards right to Tyler Bozak. The latter then fed John Michael-Liles moving in from the left point, and Liles blasted a slap shot past Quick for his fourth goal of the season.

The Kings dominated the second period, outshooting the Leafs 16-4, and scored the only goal on a controversial play. L.A.'s struggling power play finally broke through for its first tally in seven games with Luke Schenn in the box for tripping. Doughty made a key play at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone, starting a sequence of quick passes that went from Kopitar to Gagne to a wide-open Brown in the slot, where he fired it past Reimer for his seventh goal of the season.

But Wilson thought Doughty might have failed to keep the puck inside the blue line.

"I'm not sure if the puck was offside, but it sure looked like it," Wilson said.

Entering the third period down 2-1, the Leafs struck early to tie the game, as Frattin converted a long backdoor saucer pass from Mikhail Grabovski for his fourth goal of the season. From there the goaltenders took over, holding the fort through the final period and overtime until the Kings prevailed in the shootout.

"It was huge," Doughty said. "It kind of (stunk) that they scored that goal to tie it up late, but we were pushing back. We needed that win. We needed that two points. Brownie did a great job with a great shot in the shootout, bar down, and it was huge for us. The two points is what we came here for, and it was great to get it."

The Leafs, who have now lost five of six games, will be without forward Colby Armstrong for the immediate future as they try to right the ship on Thursday against Buffalo. Armstrong was a late scratch Monday when it was discovered he was dealing with a concussion suffered Saturday night against the Canucks.

The Kings, meanwhile, await the start of the Sutter era, which will begin at home Thursday against Anaheim.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Toronto Meaple Leafs 3:2 (1:1, 1:0, 0:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Williams 8., Brown 35.; Liles 12., Frattin 43.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/24/11--01:00: The Kings win on Sutter's debut (chan 1065742)

First game of Darryl Sutter on Kings bench and his first win as the Kings coach. Los Angeles won after shootout 3:2 against Anaheim Ducks. This was their third win this season agains Ducks.

The Kings outshot the Ducks 13-9 in the first period, even though they had to kill two penalties and didn’t have a power play. Hiller made two strong glove saves on shots by Brown and Anže.

After the Kings did next to nothing with two second-period power plays, the Ducks took the lead with 6:05 remaining. Visnovsky wound up from the blue line and Niklas Hagman, parked to the left of the net, deflected Visnovsky’s shot past Quick from close range. The Kings tied the game with 3:43 remaining in the second period. Mike Richards won an offensive-zone faceoff, then went to the inside of the left circle. Doughty shot from the left point, and Richards deflected the puck down and past Hiller for his team-high 12th goal of the season.

The Kings took the lead 8:02 into the third period. Anže carried the puck into the Ducks’ zone with speed, then dropped a pass for Dustin Brown. Brown didn’t hesitate, and whipped a long-range, high shot past Hiller. The Ducks tied the game with 3:11 remaining in regulation. Lubomir Visnovsky held the puck near the blue line and pulled it far right, then fired a shot that beat Quick through traffic. The Kings outshot the Ducks 33-20 in regulation.

There was no goal in overtime, so the game was decided on shootout. Stoll and Brown scored for the Kings, while just Perry scored for the Ducks. Anže missed as he was the second for the Kings. He played for 23:14 minutes, had 3 shots on goal and was 59% in FO. The Kings will face San Jose tonight.

Result
Anaheim Ducks - Los Angeles Kings 2:3 (0:0, 1:1, 1:1, 0:0, 0:1)
Hagman 34., Visnovsky 57.; Richards 37., Brown 49.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/24/11--01:00: Lost against Sharks after SO (chan 1065742)

Only 24 hours after the Kings beated the Ducks in Staples Center after SO, LA played the next game against San Jose Sharks. This time it was all about shootout again, but the Kings were not so lucky as 24 hours ago.

The Kings outshot the Sharks 7-5 in the first period, and both goalies were sharp, with a handful of goal-saving stops between them. The Kings went 0-for-1 on the power play (with zero shots on goal) and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

San Jose took the lead 7:53 into the second period. Clowe battled in the corner of the Kings’ zone, then pushed the puck to the inside of the left circle, to Logan Couture, who quickly fired a high shot past Quick. The Kings tied the game with a power-play goal with 1:08 remaining in the second period. Mike Richards sent the puck behind the net, and Anž picked it up in the corner. Anže then sent a cross-ice pass back to Richards in the right circle. Richards settled the puck with his skate, then beat Niemi with a wrist shot to the far post. The Kings had scored just one power-play goal in their previous eight games.

The Sharks outshot the Kings 34-26 in regulation (including 14-9 in the third period). On shootout just Clowe managed to scoere and asure home win against the Kings. Anže played 24:14 minutes, had one shot and was 68% in FO. The Kings will face the Coyotes on Monday.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - San Jose Sharks 1:2 (0:0, 1:1, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Richards 39.; Couture 28.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/30/11--20:46: Big win against Blackhawks (chan 1065742)

The Los Angeles Kings managed to do something on Wednesday night that no other visiting team that's come to the United Center in the month of December had done: They beat the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation.

Backed by a sterling 38-save shutout performance by goalie Jonathan Quick, the Kings left the Madhouse on Madison with a hard-earned 2-0 victory against the Hawks – who'd won five straight on home ice coming into the game and had a 6-0-1 record at home this month.

Chicago's Corey Crawford also had a nice game, making several highlight-worthy stops on the way to 36 saves for the game, but Trent Hunter and Jarret Stoll both found the back of the net for the Kings
(18-14-5).

However, Quick was the biggest reason Los Angeles is heading to Winnipeg for the last half of a back-to-back on Thursday with two straight wins and a 3-0-1 record under new coach Darryl Sutter. The Kings goaltender made key saves in all three periods, but saved the best for the third period – when he stopped all 10 shots he faced, including two quick ones against Jonathan Toews midway through the period with his pad and skate at the right post.

It was just one sampling of a night filled with big stops on both ends of the rink.

Neither team scored in a first period that was marked by special-teams play. Both goalies came up with big saves to thwart several great scoring chances and the Hawks let the Kings off the hook a couple of times by missing the net while uncovered.

Crawford came up big to help the Hawks (23-10-4) kill off nearly six straight minutes of power-play time for the Kings. Los Angeles got a four-minute man-advantage midway through the first on a high-sticking infraction by Sharp, which came on the heels of John Scott's roughing minor that was also killed off.

In all, the Kings went 0-for-3 on the power play in the first. The Hawks weren't any better and didn't score in either of their two extra-man situations.

It was more of the same in the first half of the second period, with the goalies continuing to put on a show to stop good scoring chances. Crawford's side-to-side pad save to stop a close-range tap from
Richards to Trevor Lewis midway through was the highlight of the period.

But Hunter finally broke the scoreless tie at 12:07 of the second by scooping up a loose puck during a scrum near the crease and lifting it over a sprawled Crawford and into the net.

Crawford kept it a 1-0 game at 16:38 after Mike Richards was awarded a penalty shot when he was taken down on a breakaway. Crawford came up with a big save to keep his team close.

That's the way it stayed into the second intermission, but the momentum was short-lived for Chicago thanks to Stoll's rebound goal that made it 2-0 just 1:16 into the third. Quick and the Kings defense took over from there, keeping the Hawks at bay – including a nice kill of a late Chicago power play.

Anže played 22:13 minutes, had three shots on goal and was 53% in FO. The Kings will now face Wiinipeg Jets on Thuresday night.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Chicago Blackhawkas 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Hunter 33., Stoll 42.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





12/30/11--20:46: Hard loss in Winnipeg (chan 1065742)

Los Angeles Kings just couldn't made it. The Kings were better all the time but they could not managed to score in Winnipeg. The Jets got the game winner into overtime.

In the first period the Kings outshot the Jets 13-9 but generated only a couple threatening scoring chances and, at times, had trouble with the Jets’ aggressive forecheck and quickness. The Kings went 0-for-1 on the power play and did not face a penalty kill.

The Kings outshot the Jets 12-8 in the second period but missed a golden opportunity when they had a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:53 and didn’t score (they had four shots on goal). Then Penner hit the post with 2:30 remaining. Winnipeg nearly scored in the final minute, but Wellwood shot high from the slot.

The Kings outshot the Jets 31-25 in regulation and played their first 0-0 regulation game of the season. The Jets won the game into overtime. After a scramble in front of Bernier, Evander Kane won the loose puck and flipped a shot into the net.

Anže again played very good hockey, had 6 shots on goal and was almost 80% in FO. He had almost 22 minutes ice time and was for sure one of the best on the ice today. The Kings will face the Canucks on Saturday at Staples Center.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Winnipeg Jets 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Kane 62.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/05/12--04:44: Kings keep climbing, Anže scored (chan 1065742)

Momentum swings don't get much bigger than this.

The Vancouver Canucks were primed to take control of Saturday's game with a four-minute power play. But the Los Angeles Kings came up with a huge penalty kill and perhaps their biggest win so far under coach Darryl Sutter.

Nine seconds after the Kings killed off a high-sticking double minor to Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar scored for a two-goal lead and the Kings added a rare power play goal for a 4-1 victory in front of a sellout New Year's Eve crowd.

Los Angeles improved to 4-0-2 under Sutter, a mark that also includes a victory at Chicago earlier in the week.

"Coming right back and scoring a goal is huge," said Kopitar, who snapped a 17-game goal-scoring drought.

"It flattened them out. I thought the second period tonight was good for us. That's what we have to build on."

That they played a 60-minute game against one of the premier NHL teams wasn't lost on the Kings. Vancouver, which was attempting to tie the franchise record with 11 wins in a month, suffered only its third regulation loss in 14 contests.

"It says we have a lot of character," Kopitar said. "We can definitely do it. Now it's a just a matter of doing it night in and night out. That's what Darryl's pushing for us. We have to recognize it."

The game played out as expected with L.A.'s stingy defense colliding with Vancouver's high-powered offense. The Kings' fourth-ranked penalty-killing unit nullified four attempts by Vancouver's top-rated power play and extended its streak to 26 straight penalties killed.

The difference was what constitutes as an offensive outburst for L.A., which scored more than two goals in regulation for only the second time in the past 18 games. Sutter moved Richards to the top line with Kopitar and Dustin Brown. He has stressed balance among all the lines, and there appears to be more quickness.

"We're just trying to get everybody to do that," Sutter said. "It can't be hit and miss. It's just getting everybody to do it."

There also appears to be a different attitude under Sutter, whose no-nonsense approach seems to be the right medicine for L.A.

"What's that line -- the greatest loss you can have is a loss of confidence," Sutter said. "If everybody was struggling with confidence, it's not my job to pile dirt on them. It's to take them out of it. It doesn't mean you're always going to win, but as long as they're going in the right direction, that's a good thing."

After Richards' penalty expired, Justin Williams laid out a deft pass for Kopitar, whose backhand left Roberto Luongo flat on his stomach for a 3-1 lead. It was Kopitar's first goal since Nov. 22. Despite the slump, he is second on the team with 11 goals.

"It was big," Kopitar said. "Always when you go through struggles like that, it feels good to get it off your back. No better place and time to do it, too, than Vancouver."

Vancouver knows it might have been a different game if they score on the four-minute advantage.

"That's an opportunity for us to get a big goal there," defenseman Kevin Bieksa said. "We had some chances. Maybe a little bit sloppy but the ice obviously wasn't in the greatest of conditions. Power play is what hurts teams. We had an opportunity there and we didn't take capitalize."

Bieksa was asked about the Kings breaking out with four goals.

"We gave them lots of chances," he said. "We gave them lots of power plays. We were a little loose, at times, in our zone. It wasn't so much them. I think it was a little bit more us."

Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault was more diplomatic.

"I think you have to give L.A. credit," Vigneault said. "Both teams had basically the same schedule here for the last little while, but they seemed to have more jump and more energy and obviously better execution than we had tonight. They deserved to win."

Williams tipped in Slava Voynov's shot for a 4-1 lead with Daniel Sedin in the penalty box for hooking. It was only L.A.'s second power play goal in six games.

It was a turnover by Sedin that led to the go-ahead goal. Sedin gave the puck to Andrei Loktionov in the corner, and Matt Greene's shot from the right point made it through Luongo, who lost his stick on the play.

Result
Vancouver Canucks - Los Angeles Kings 1:4 (1:1, 0:2, 0:1)
Bieksa 4.; Richardson 10., Greene 29., Kopitar 34., Williams 50.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/05/12--04:44: Avs edge Kings in shootout (chan 1065742)

Semyon Varlamov doesn't like shootouts, but they seem to like him.

Varlamov stopped all three shootout attempts and Milan Hedjuk beat Jonathan Quick as the Colorado Avalanche continue to roll with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at the Staples Center.

Varlamov improved to an NHL-leading 6-0 on shootouts this season. Colorado, which erased a 1-0 lead with fewer than six minutes to go, has won 10 straight shootouts dating to last season.

"Nothing special," Varlamov said. "I don't know, maybe good luck. I don't like shootouts. We play shootouts a lot. I just try to stay on the ice and wait to see what the player going to do. Just wait, wait, wait.

"Thank God we win tonight."

The Avalanche have won eight of their past nine games, including shootout wins against Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

"I think goaltending's the main thing," Ryan O'Reilly said. "After a couple of wins there, you start to sense confident there on the bench. Guys know we’re going to get the extra point. You got Hedjuk shooting. I don't think he misses too much. Varm in the pipes stops them every time."

Varlamov stopped 31 of 32 shots in overtime and regulation and outdueled Quick, who was named the NHL's third star of the week.

Quick was six minutes away from his sixth shutout this season when O'Reilly snapped in the puck from the right side to tie it at 1 after the Kings' fourth line couldn't get the puck out of its zone.

After Stoll missed the net on L.A.'s first attempt of the shootout, Varlamov stopped Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Hedjuk slipped the puck through five-hole on Quick.

Colorado shooters are 12 for 19 in the shootout this season.

"It's definitely a character win for us," O'Reilly said. "They're a great team. To win in this situation is a huge boost for us."

Los Angeles has gained points in seven straight under coach Darryl Sutter (4-0-3) and has still not suffered a regulation loss in his tenure.

The Kings have not allowed a power play goal in 21 attempts under his watch and have killed 27 straight penalties. That streak was kept alive thanks to Quick, who robbed TJ Galiardi during a third period Colorado power play that seemed to be Colorado's last gasp before O'Reilly's score-tying goal.

But the Kings can lament a squandered power play with 1:35 remaining in overtime. They also missed a power-play opportunity with 2:32 to go in regulation when Stefan Elliott hooked Drew Doughty, but Doughty was called for diving on the play.

Sutter praised his team for playing hard on their fifth game in eight nights. He also saw some inconsistency.

"We just stopped shooting the puck in the second," Sutter said. "We started to make that little play across the net, those sort of things in the second period, instead of putting it to the net and getting to the net. I like the percentages when the goalie has to make the save."

Colorado scored four goals in a victory against Anaheim on New Year's Eve, but looked out of sync for most of the night in its second game without second-leading scorer Matt Duchene, who is out for about a month with a knee injury.

On its only power play of the game, Colorado made an errant back pass and Galiardi made the blooper reel when he tripped with the puck at center ice.

L.A.'s new top line, on the other hand, produced on its first shift of the second period.

Mike Richards cycled the puck to Kopitar behind the goal line and the latter's rebound found Brown, who swiped a backhand through Varlamov's pads for a 1-0 lead.

Both sides had quality chances in the second but Quick and Varlamov held ground, including a terrific right pad save by Varlamov on Jack Johnson during a Kings' power play.

It was scoreless after the first period, but the Kings continued to start games well under Sutter. They enjoyed a 12-5 shot advantage and were in Colorado's zone for so long at one point they were able change out Andrei Loktionov's line for Jarret Stoll's.

Justin Williams had a goal disallowed when he tipped Jack Johnson’s shot with a high stick. Sutter was critical of the call.

"I disagree with the way we handle that," he said. "I think every puck that goes in the net, unless the whistle went, should be called a goal and because of what we have in Toronto, then they should rule from there. We talk about goal scoring and offense in the League and all those things. Every puck that goes in the net should be called a goal, and then they can look at it. To me, it makes more sense that way."

Result
Colorado Avalanche - Los Angeles Kings 2:1 (0:0, 0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 1:0)
O'Reilly 55.; Brown 22.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/07/12--23:28: 20th win of the season (chan 1065742)

The Kings won in Staples Center against Phoenix Coyotes and now had 20 wins in the season. The second time of the season the Kings didn't score and didn's allow the goal in the regular time, so the game was decided in OT.

The Kings outshot the Coyotes 7-6 in a mostly lackluster first period. The Kings did not have a power play and went 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.

The teams showed a bit more life in the second period, but it didn’t translate to any goals. The Kings outshot the Coyotes 12-5, went 0-for-1 on the power play and didn’t face a penalty kill.

Because 60 minutes of this game just weren’t enough, we get overtime. The Kings outshot the Coyotes 27-22 in regulation. Neither team had a power play in the third period, but the Kings had a handful of excellent scoring chances.

The Kings scored 38 seconds into overtime on, fittingly, a crazy play. Drew Doughty took the puck to the net and, as three players crashed around Smith, tried to poke the puck in. The net got lifted and the puck slid over the goal line. After a video review, officials ruled the play a goal. Jarret Stoll and Jack Johnson got assists.

Anže played for 18 minutes and had two shots on goal. The Kings will host Blue Jackets on Saturday 1 pm.

Result
Phoenix Coyotes - Los Angeles Kings 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Doughty 61.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/14/12--17:26: Breakthrough! Kings top Caps with 5 (chan 1065742)

Hard work that team showed in past games has paid its dividends. Scoring 5 goals against Capitals and not giving any doubt through the course of entire game shows that Kings will rise again and this win might be just what LA needs.
Full team effort fueled with loud home crowd gave boys wings to fly over ice and kept to game plan all through 60 minutes. This is proving that team was not falsely named as cup contenders before this year and they have a lot in store for us.
Kopi’s goal is surely one that will get that monkey of his back and that his hard work will show also in his scoring statistics.

Video highlights

Game stats





01/14/12--17:26: Columbus' 1 was enough (chan 1065742)

It seems Kings are still shooting blanks and cannot get a break in their shooting lanes. Even though LA outshot Blue Jackets by large margin, puck didn't find its way over goal line.
We could follow another great performance about Quick, for whom we may easily say that he is the main reason that Kings have relatively positive point score in past games and he is main factor in their scoring struggle.
Kopi: "We don't talk about him enough. He has given us chances every single game and that's all you could ask for from your goaltender. If he gives up one, we should be able to score more than one goal and win the game - especially at home."
Anže spent 22:35 minutes on ice, had 6 shots plus two block attempts.

Video highlights

Game Stats





01/14/12--17:26: Stars get extra point in SO (chan 1065742)

Rivalry between Kings and Stars is escalating and tonight’s game was intense and physical, right on limit of what is still legal.
Kings showed that Washington game gave them confidence that they needed and they managed to get back into game after -2 deficit at the start of the game, took the lead. The game itself took toll on players and 8 minutes to go in the third Kopi got hit by Morrow and he had to leave the ice. Richards went after Morrow and got 4 min penalty that Stars capitalized and equalized the game that finished with win in shootouts.
Kopi informed us that he is ok, but he will see what the aftermath of the hit is tomorrow. Kopi we wish you all the best!!!

Video highlights

Game stats





01/16/12--04:26: Anže has 400 career NHL points! (chan 1065742)

On a cold night in Alberta, it was the Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. First game this season between the Kings and the Oilers in Staples Center ended with 3-0 Oilers' victory. Today it was a bit different story.

The Oilers clearly had the better of the action early, and got rewarded with a goal at the moment their first power play expired. Petry fired a one-timer from the left point and Josh Green, parked in front of the net, deflected the puck past Quick with 8:39 remaining in the period. Green was a first-round draft pick of the Kings in 1996 and played 27 games for the Kings in 1998-99.

The Oilers outshot the Kings 13-8 in the second period. The Kings went 1-for-1 on the power play and did not have a power play. The Kings have had more shot attempts blocked (15) than than shots on goal (14) in the game, and haven’t had more than a couple threatening scoring chances through 40 minutes.

The Kings got on the scoreboard and tied the game 6:22 into the period. Voynov, on his 21st birthday, fired a slap shot from the blue line, through traffic. Justin Williams got the deflection and the goal. Anže also got an assist and now has 400 career NHL points.

Into overtime Williams got called for high-sticking and the Oilers scored the game-winner 21 seconds later. Quick made a save, but Taylor Hall, to the right of the net, knocked the rebound into the net.

Anže played another very good game and had two shots on goal in 19:54 minutes. He has now 42 points and is 16th in NHL stats. The Kings will face the Canucks on Tuesday night.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Edmonton Oilers 1:2 (0:1, 0:0, 1:0, 0:1)
Williams 47.; Green 12., Hall 64.

Video highlights

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/16/12--04:26: Kings ended Flames home streak (chan 1065742)

The Kings won in Calgary 4:1 with goals from Mike Richards, Matt Greene, Anže Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Darrly Sutter bests his younger brother Brent and Anže made great return after his big hit Thursday from Dallas’ Brenden Morrow.

Tonight, it was a chance for someone to get revenge against his former team. And Darrly Sutter made it. Statistically, the first period has been the Flames’ best period this season, and they showed why as they outshot the Kings 11-6. The Flames had two shots hit the post in the final three minutes. The Kings went 0-for-1 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.

The Kings broke the scoreless tie 27 seconds into the second period. Calgary defenseman Giordano misplayed the puck near his own blue line, and Mike Richards jumped on the loose puck, skated in on a breakaway and beat Kiprusoff with a close-range backhand shot. The Kings took a two-goal lead at the 3:02 mark. Cammalleri’s turnover put the puck on Richards’ stick. A pass to Stoll led to a pass to Matt Greene, whose knuckleball medium-range shot beat Kiprusoff with Penner running traffic in front of the net. Greene now has a career-high three goals this season.
The Kings scored their third goal of the period with 5:12 remaining, just 15 seconds into a power play. Brown’s shot from the top of the circle got deflected wide. Williams pushed the puck left and Anže made a lunging effort for the puck and knocked it past Kiprusoff.

Calgary got on the scoreboard with a power-play goal with 4:08 remaining in the period. Michael Cammalleri, allowed room in front of the Kings’ net, tipped Babchuk’s point shot past Quick from close range.

To punctuate a strong third period for the Kings, Dustin Brown scored an empty-net goal with 57 seconds remaining. The Kings have ended the Flames home streak of eight wins. Anže playes another great game despite the hit in the last period in his knee. The Kings will tommorrow face the Oilers.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Calgary Flames 4:1 (0:0, 3:1, 1:0)
Richards 21., Greene 24., Kopitar 35., Brown 60.; Cammalleri 36.

Video highlights

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/19/12--14:01: Second win over Canucks (chan 1065742)

It was the third of four meetings this season between the Kings and the Vancouver Canucks, and follows two games at Staples Center that the teams split. The Kings lost 3-2 on Nov. 10 and won 4-1 on Dec. 31. It was 384th sellout of Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

The Kings had an extraordinary number of scoring chances early in the game, and outshot the Canucks 11-3 in the first nine minutes, and they got rewarded 9:06 into the period. Doughty’s slap shot from the left point got deflected by Dustin Penner in front of the net and beat Luongo, who had made a handful of brilliant stops before that.

Vancouver tied the game with a power-play goal 2:41 into the second period. Daniel Sedin took a pass from Edler and skated the puck to the middle of the left circle. Sedin got his stick tied up, but managed to push a snap shot toward the net and beat Quick short-side. The Kings got the lead back with a power-play goal with 4:46 remaining in the period. Anže passed left in the Canucks’ zone to Mitchell, who fired a slap shot from the left point. Luongo made the save, but the rebound kicked wide and directly to Justin Williams, who scored on a high wrist shot.

Vancouver tied the game exactly five minutes into the third period. Hansen held the puck in the left circle, then fed a cross-ice pass that found David Booth all alone to the right of the net. Booth snapped a one-time high shot past Quick.

The Kings outshot the Canucks 4-3 in overtime and 41-33 in the game.

In shootout Williams and Richards scored for the Kings, while just Burrows managed to beat Quick for the Canucks. The three-game, four-day swing through Western Canada ended tonight as the Kings was facing the Vancouver Canucks and got their second win.

Anže played another great game and had 24:20 minutes of ice time. He had three shots on goal and he was 48% in FO. The Kings will face the Flames in Staples on Thuresday night.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Vancouver Canucks 3:2 (1:0, 1:1, 0:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Penner 10., Williams 36.; D. Sedin 23., Booth 45.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/23/12--02:55: Another game decided after SO (chan 1065742)

For the second time in less than a week, it was Sutter vs. Sutter as the Kings host the Calgary Flames. And it was for the 10th time in last 16th games the game was going into OT. This time the Kings lost after SO.

he Kings took the lead 3:28 into the game. Williams carried the puck into the Calgary zone, and his shot got deflected, but deflected directly to Dustin Brown, who shot and scored from close range. The Kings outshot the Flames 8-3 in the period.

The Kings killed a Calgary two-man advantage at the start of the period, but the Flames tied the game on a power-play goal at the 9:15 mark. Mitchell broke his stick while killing the penalty, and Lewis gave up his stick to Mitchell. The Flames worked the puck to Lewis’ side, to Jarome Iginla, and Iginla ripped a shot past Quick from the left circle.

The Kings outshot the Flames 10-9 in the scoreless, penalty-free, third period. The Kings head to overtime for the 10th time in their last 16 games. The Kings outshot the Flames 5-3 in overtime. The Kings had a power play for the final 34.1 seconds but could not score. In SO there were goals from Williams, Jokinen and Cammalleri, so the Flames got the win.

Anže played for 22:30 minutes, had one shot on goal and was 76% in FO. The Kings will host Colorado on Saturday night.

Result
Calgary Flames - Los Angeles Kings 2:1 (0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 0:0, 1:0)
Iginla 30.; Brown 4.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/24/12--10:45: Breaking away (chan 1065742)

This was the only meeting of the season between the Kings and the Ottawa Senators. And the Kings played a great game before the All-star weekend.

The Kings took the lead with 4:21 remaining in the first period, after a physical shift by the fourth line. Clifford passed the puck to the left point, and Willie Mitchell floated a shot through traffic that beat Anderson.

The fourth line contributed for a second time tonight, as the Kings took a two-goal lead with 8:52 remaining in the second period. Fraser took the puck toward the net, then dropped a short pass for Kyle Clifford. Clifford’s shot was saved, but Anderson couldn’t cover the rebound, and in the ensuing scramble, Clifford circled around and knocked the puck past Anderson. The Kings took a three-goal lead with a 5-on-3 goal with 2:06 remaining in the period. The Kings nearly lost control of the puck in the Ottawa zone, but Doughty pushed the puck to Jack Johnson, who pinched toward the net and rifled a one-timer off the post and into the net. Trevor Lewis scored on a penalty shot as the Kings took a four-goal lead with 32.9 seconds remaining in the period. The Kings were awarded the penalty shot after officials ruled that an Ottawa player covered the puck in the crease after a scramble, a questionable call.

The Senators broke the Kings’ shutout bid as they scored a power-play goal 8:37 into the third period. Daniel Alfredsson found space in the slot, between two Kings defenders, then took a centering pass from Erik Karlsson and slipped a shot past Quick. End of period: The Kings outshot the Senators 34-28 for the game.

Anže played for 18:10 minutes and was 60% in FO. The Kings will now have a little break due to All star weekend. They will play their next game vs the Blue Jakets, 02/01.

Result
Ottawa Senators - Los Angeles Kings 1:4 (0:1, 0:3, 1:0)
Alfredsson 49.; Mitchell 16., Clifford 32., Johnson 38., Lewis 40.

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





01/24/12--10:45: Dropped by Avs (chan 1065742)

Peter Mueller's return to the Colorado Avalanche and Jean-Sebastien Giguere's return to his old playoff form have given the Colorado Avalanche reason to believe they can do some heavy damage to the rest of the NHL down the stretch.

Mueller had the go-ahead goal in the fifth game of his inspirational comeback from a concussion, Giguere made 25 saves and the Avalanche also got goals from Cody McLeod and Gabriel Landeskog in a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

Mueller put the Avalanche ahead 2-1 with 1:05 left in the second, tipping in a 45-foot wrist shot from the slot by T.J. Galiardi for his third goal since returning from the career-threatening concussion that had sidelined him since April 4, 2010. Mueller scored Colorado's first two goals Wednesday night in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers.

Ten of Mueller's 51 NHL goals have been winners. He had a career-best 22 goals as a rookie in 2007-08 with Phoenix.

"We're really happy for him. He's been through a tough battle," Giguere said. "None of us can even imagine what that's like. But he's having fun right now, which he didn't have for the last two years. And it's nice to see that."

Giguere, who led the Anaheim Ducks to a Stanley Cup title in 2007 and was the playoff MVP in 2003, has emerged as a No. 1 goalie again after starting the season as Semyon Varlamov's backup. In Giguere's last 11 starts, he is 8-2-1.

"Giggy's a pro and he's a competitor. He gets in there and gives you a chance to win every night," Colorado defenseman Shane O'Brien said. "He's been great with Varly, and now he's playing a bit more and taking advantage of it. There's a reason why he won a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy and why he's played as long as he has. He's huge in the dressing room, he's huge on the bus and in the plane, and he's huge in net for us."

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick came up short on his 26th birthday after stopping 28 shots. Colorado's other goal was by Gabriel Landeskog on a power play with 1:57 to play. The Kings have scored fewer than three goals in 20 of Quick's 21 losses this season, including overtimes and shootouts.

"I know he's frustrated, obviously, that we're not scoring goals and supporting him," Justin Williams said. "I'm sure he'll never say that, but we have to do that for him - as well as play good defense."

The regulation loss was only the second by the Kings in 16 games since Darryl Sutter replaced Terry Murray as coach (8-2-6). The other one was a 1-0 defeat against Columbus in which Quick faced a season-low 18 shots.

"It was definitely a playoff-style game," O'Brien said. "They're a good team and they've been playing extremely well, so we knew that we had to play well defensively. All year we've been stressing that, and we're getting better as a team. Giggy's been great in net for us and we're playing hard in front of him. There's no secret to winning in this league. You've got to play good solid defense, and we're doing that right now."

The Avalanche had a 10-3 advantage in shots on net when Los Angeles forward Dustin Penner received a double-minor at 12:02 of the first period for cutting Cody McLeod with a high stick. But the Kings' vaunted penalty-killing unit kept the puck away from Quick while Penner was in the box, and Kyle Quincey's interference infraction nullified the final 49 seconds of the 4-minute power play. In fact, Colorado didn't get another shot the rest of the period.

The Kings weren't doing any better in that department, getting only one shot on net over the final 15:21 of the opening period. They didn't get another one until Giguere stopped Dustin Brown's point-blank attempt from 10 feet in the left circle and Anze Kopitar converted the rebound into a wide-open net at 5:34 of the second for his team-high 15th goal.

"It's hard to get shots when you don't have everyone playing the right way," Brown said. "It's going to take 20 guys. Tonight I don't think we had 20. I'm sure it will be clear on video, but we need more. Tonight we had some good lines, but you need four lines if you want to win games in this league."

Colorado tied it at 13:35 of the second with McLeod's third goal of the season. Defenseman Stefan Eliott was skating with the puck about 15 feet from his own blue line when he spotted McLeod breaking toward the Kings' line and hit him with a perfect tape-to-tape pass as he entered the zone a step ahead of defensemen Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell. Quick backed up and McLeod stuffed the puck between his pads before crashing into the net.

"It was a great pass, and that's what Ellie does. He's an offensively gifted guy, and he sees guys who are open," O'Brien said. "He made a great pass to Macker and then Macker did the rest. He went to the net hard, put the puck in and put Quick in. It was a huge goal for us."

Result
Colorado Avalanche - Los Angeles Kings 3:1 (0:0, 2:1, 1:0)
McLeod 34., Müller 39., Landeskog 59.; Kopitar 26.

Video highlights

Stats

Photo: LaKings.com





02/03/12--20:56: Beating the clock! (chan 1065742)

The Los Angeles Kings came out of their eight-day break fresh and focused. They needed every last bit of attention, too, against the NHL's worst team.

Drew Doughty scored a power-play goal with 1 second remaining in the game, lifting the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday night.

"I haven't really scored very many game-winners that came in overtime or with in the last minute (of regulation) to win the game, so it was a good feeling for me," said Doughty, who scored his first goal in nearly a month and fourth this season.

"It's tough to come back from a long break like that and get a win. Mentally, it was good for us to kind of get away, but it's hard to get back for that first game. We did an all right job in the first period, and we were a little slow in the second and third. But we got that first win and it's a huge momentum going on this road trip."

The Kings also got goals from Dustin Penner and Justin Williams to win their second straight. Jonathan Quick, the lone King to play in last weekend's All-Star game, picked up where he left off before the break, making 20 saves for his 22nd victory.

"After the extended break, the mentality in the dressing room was to throttle down right away," Williams said. "Our legs were pretty good. We had a couple good days of practice, and we had some good jump."

The Kings have won eight of their last 10 games against the Blue Jackets, who always seem to give them fits despite being the worst team in the NHL.

"I don't know what the reason is," Doughty said. "Maybe we take them too lightly going into the game. But we got the win, even though we didn't play our best, and that's a good thing. So we have a lot to look forward to when we do play our best."

With Samuel Pahlsson off for holding, the Kings went on the power play in the waning minutes. They appeared headed to overtime until Doughty controlled the loose puck and scored in front of the net, a rare third-period goal for the Kings, who have 33 this season.

"It was a great job on the power play, and the key to our success was getting those two on the power play," Doughty said, "and the penalty-killing was great, too."

The Blue Jackets complained that the clock briefly stopped with 1.8 seconds to go before it continued.

"It's tough for them to lose, so making excuses is normal," Doughty said. "But luckily there was enough time on the clock, and it counted."

Blue Jackets interim coach Todd Richards couldn't cite an official report, but he had his doubts about the clock.

"Watching the replay and talking with our producer who runs our show, the clock stopped at 1.8 seconds, and it stopped for 1.5 seconds, and they scored with 0.5 seconds," he said. "Something happened and it's really disappointing."

Columbus' Colton Gillies tied the game 2-2 with his first goal of the season on a rebound in front of the net at 4:52 of the third period. Derek Dorsett had the team's other goal early in the second.

Penner's goal was just his second in 22 games and fourth of the season, and it put the Kings back in front at 14:32 after the Blue Jackets failed to clear the puck out of their zone.

Williams gave Los Angeles its first lead on a power-play goal at 8:40 of the first. Doughty set up at the left point and passed to Williams, who scored between the legs of Columbus goalie Curtis Sanford.

Sanford stopped 30 shots for the injury-riddled Blue Jackets, who were coming off a 6-0 loss at San Jose on Tuesday and have dropped six in a row.

"Los Angeles is one of those teams that you know what you're going to get," Sanford said. "They keep themselves in every game they play and every game is a tight game. It seems like they're conditioning themselves to play playoff hockey, and that's the way the games have been played between the teams."

Results
Columbus Blue Jackets - Los Angeles Kings 2:3 (0:1, 1:1, 1:1)
Dorsett 22., Gillies 45.; Williams 9., Penner 35., Doughty 60.

Stats

Video highlights

Photo: LaKings.com





02/05/12--22:31: Edged by Canes (chan 1065742)

After Los Angeles took an early lead, the Carolina Hurricanes waited for the Kings' travel schedule to catch up with them.

Jeff Skinner scored 3:02 into the third period to lift the Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Kings on Saturday night.

Jiri Tlutsy also scored and Cam Ward made 24 saves for the Hurricanes, who are 8-2-1 in their last 11 home games as they try to work their way up from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

"They came out ready to play, and it seemed like they had a step on us in the first period," Carolina netminder Cam Ward said. "We weren't too pleased with it after the first intermission, but once again, we were able to turn it around. We knew that they had some travel, so we made it difficult on them in the second and third."

After their 1-0 loss to St. Louis on Friday night, the Kings didn't arrive in Raleigh until early Saturday morning.

"It's not rocket science," Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter said. "We played last night and got here at two in the morning. They were pushing a little bit more because they had more."

Anze Kopitar scored for Los Angeles and Jonathan Bernier made 20 saves.

"I can count the number of opportunities they had on one hand and the number of opportunities we had," Sutter said. "It's a fine line. We played six periods on the road and gave up three goals and didn't get anything out of it. Tough one to swallow."

The Kings have lost two in a row.

With the score tied at 1, Skinner worked hard on the forecheck deep in the Los Angeles zone. He eventually freed the puck and got it back to Jussi Jokinen, whose wrist shot was stopped by Bernier. Skinner pounced on the rebound before Bernier could freeze the puck and shot it into the open net.

It was Skinner's third goal in five games as he works his way back into form after missing 16 games with a concussion.

"I'm not going to be digging on Cam Ward like that in practice," Skinner said. "Those sort of things take a while to come back, and it was a good feeling."

Los Angeles opened the scoring when Kopitar one-timed a shot from the slot past Ward. Justin Williams set Kopitar up with a nice pass from the corner.

Carolina tied the score late in the second when Tlutsy blocked a shot at the Carolina blue line. The puck deflected back into the Kings' zone, and Tlutsy managed to corral it along the right boards. He skated forward and beat Bernier with a wrist shot from the right circle.

"He's really picked his game up over the last 10 games or so," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said of Tlutsy's play. "Offensively, he's been making a lot of things tick."

The comeback win was a rarity for the Hurricanes, who entered the game with a 1-13-0 record when trailing after the first period.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, was 9-0-1 when leading after the first.

The Kings are in the midst of six-game road trip. Los Angeles, which entered the game in seventh place in the West, lost 1-0 to St. Louis on Friday.

The last time Los Angeles played in Carolina was on Nov. 11, 2009.

Ward has played especially well during the Hurricanes' surge at home. Coming into the game, he had posted a 1.88 goals-against average over the previous 10 home games.

Result
Los Angeles Kings - Carolina Hurricanes 1:2 (1:0, 0:1, 0:1)
Kopitar 5.; Tlusty 36., Skinner 44.

Stats