Community Picks: Los Angeles Kings 0% vs Anaheim Ducks 0%

In a sprawling interview with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun (sub required), former Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi notes that he predicted a hot start for his old team. This post takes a look at 1) the factors playing into such a hot start and 2) what might continue versus what should change. With a blistering .939 save percentage through 11 games, the American-born goalie is matching great numbers to his considerable athleticism in a way that he hasn’t always been able to manage during his polarizing career. Continue to Article

November 06, 2017 4:41:pm EST

The Los Angeles Kings have climbed atop the Western Conference standings by adeptly combining their established stars with hungry young talent. Tyler Toffoli and Michael Amadio showed off the strengths of both categories in another impressive win for the surging Kings. Toffoli scored twice, Amadio got his first NHL goal and Los Angeles beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 on Thursday night for its eighth victory in 10 games. Continue to Article

November 03, 2017 2:40:am EST

Five days after his first child was born, St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson left the rink with a special present for his daughter. ''I've got the puck,'' Gunnarsson said after scoring the game-winning goal Monday night in a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz each had a goal and an assist to lead the Blues in a matchup between two of the NHL's top squads. Continue to Article

October 31, 2017 12:48:am EST

When 19-year-old Charlie McAvoy suits up for Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Kings, he'll be meeting head-to-head for the first time with one of the NHL stars he models his game after in Kings defenseman and Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty. McAvoy has a goal and seven points in eight games this season, and is averaging 20:53 of ice time for the Bruins in his first go-round through the league, so it would seem whatever he's doing to tailor his game is working. The teenager has been impressive in his early role as smooth puck-mover and efficient power play quarterback, and will be even more so when he gains greater confidence and assertiveness as a highly skilled, highly dangerous defenseman. Continue to Article

October 28, 2017 2:17:am EST

Jonathan Quick used a milestone night to get another shutout and another win for the Los Angeles Kings. Quick stopped 40 shots for his 46th career shutout in his 500th career game, Adrian Kempe and Tyler Toffoli scored 11 seconds apart in the first period and the Kings beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Thursday night. Anze Kopitar and Kurtis MacDermid also scored for the Western Conference-leading Kings (8-1-1), who beat the Canadiens 5-2 last week in Los Angeles. Continue to Article

October 27, 2017 12:53:am EST