The Kings Of The Western Front

With every team now hovering around 5 games played, and all back on North American soil, I find it an opportune time to take a look at how well the Los Angeles Kings have emerged from the starting gates.

Following an off-season which saw the Kings lock-up defensive stalwart Jack Johnson, while also signing the responsible Rob Scuderi and trading for "Captain Canada" Ryan Smyth, the Kings had serious playoffs aspirations coming into this season.

Yet, the lingering questions regarding the youthfulness of the Kings core still provides question marks through the lineup. With an 08-09 roster that had 3 rookies making the starting day roster (Oscar Moller, Wayne Simmonds, and Drew Doughty), the Kings looked more like Princes. But this young nucleus has a solid year under their belt, and came into this season with a whole new outlook.

The lineups on opening night were the same as they were all throughout training camp, with acception to the interchangeable parts found on the 4th line. Hoping this would allow the new guys additional time to fit into the system.

Smyth - Kopitar - Williams
Brown - Stoll - Purcell
Frolov - Handzus - Simmonds
Red Lego - Blue Lego - Yellow Lego

With the assumption that the crew of Kopitar, Brown, and Simmonds would make improvements on last year. While keeping their fingers crossed that the injury bug doesn't catch up to Williams and Smyth. The Kings had making the playoffs as their goal coming into this season, and they started believing in it too.

Opening the season at home against the Phoenix Coyotes was about as easy of launching pad as the Kings faithful could ask for. Unfortunately, the Coyotes had other plans in their 5-1 thumping of the Kings. A game that saw golden-boy Drew Doughty cough up two bad passes that eventually turned into goals. The boy-wonder who was seemingly perfect now was vulnerable. Could this be the dreaded sophomore jinx?

The Kings next had to face a hungry Sharks team from San Jose, who were quick to show-off their new offseason acquisition in Dany Heatley. The Kings were not to be caught off guard this time, jumping out to a quick 4 goal lead before eventually allow the Sharks to tie it up early in the third (all 4 coming on the powerplay). Young Ted Purcell was quick to make an impact on the big time while finding the back of the net to take the lead, and eventual game winning goal.

The Kings followed up that performance two nights later against minnesota jumping out to a quick 3 goal lead going into the second. After exchanging goals back and forth, the kings found their counterparts within 1 mid-way through the final period. Call on Teddy Purcell once more to provide some breathing room as he lights the lamp for the insurance marker. The Kings would add an empty netter for good measure.

The line of Smyth-Kopitar-Williams combined for 9 points, and a total of 14 points in the last two games.

A homestand filled with some character wins is enough to make any fan pleased with the 2-1 homestand. And with a brief stop in St.Louis before hitting the east coast seemed like an optimal stop for this confidence-gaining squad. And once again the Kings were provided with a challenge. Being able to squeeze a 2-1 win over a team in somewhat the same situation as the Kings regarding a young core and a wealth of prospects.

The boys in black were now on a 3 game winning streak, and looking to prove their doubters wrong. Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson have started to gel with their defensive stalwart partners in Sean O'Donnell and Rob Scuderi, respectively. Doughty has found himself registering 5 points in the first 4 games, while Johnson's offensive wizardry is evident on nearly every shift.

Heading into Long Island, a place where Los Angeles won late last season while still in the hunt for the playoffs, the Kings knew they were in for a hard fought contest with a hungry team that was still winless. After a close first half of the game the Kings were able to bury two,and eventually hold on for a 2-1 victory which left them tied with Calgary atop the Western Conference standings.

Now, I know its a little early to start projecting that these trends will stay constant season long. But barring any serious disaster, the Kings might be closer to that final playoff spot then originally predicted.

Along this 4 game winning streak, the Kings have seen a horrendous Penalty Kill unit turn itself around 180 degrees. While experiencing a bundle of goals from everywhere, and a consistent stretch of goaltending which every Kings fan have been asking for Christmas since the departure of Potvin. It looks like the kids have developed somewhat of a swagger in the past 2 weeks, and hopefully can keep pace until Christmas. With a stocked farm system and few extra draft picks kicking around, the Kings may be able to take on some contract near the deadline to make a serious push.

But alot of this is speculation. And its stupid to believe that these trends will continue for another 77 games. But it is nice to finally feel good about a winning record, even though we are only 5 games into the season.