Kings standing tall

From first to eight in the Western Conference has been quite the drop for the Kings this season. At one point, they were on top of the Conference and playing very well. Injuries, which have kept the Kings from continuing to dominate, have been the biggest issue for the team this year.  However, when you look at the overall the Kings are still a playoff team.

In my absence, the Kings have hit a bit of a rocky road. Over their last ten games played they have a record of 4-6. A steady eight place seeding due to the lack of health within the Red Wings organization has helped the Kings. Now, they need to help themselves.

If the team shows any indication that they understand how crucial the next few games are, step one will be completed. In other words, they can control their own destiny by putting together a string of some good hockey and a streak of wins will come from it. The more they are able to separate the point differential between them, Minnesota, Dallas and Detroit the better of a position they will be in.

In looking up at the teams above them in the standings, this Kings club is only one point behind seventh place Vancouver, three points behind sixth place Calgary and four points behind sixth place Phoenix. Quite the excitement for all of Hockeywood, LA. A tight race, as nail biting as it may be – so save your dollars on your manicures ladies of Kings nation – brings for much excitement not only around the team but around the entire Western Conference.

Currently, the Kings post a record of 26-18-3.  If you took those numbers and put them in the Eastern Conference, the Kings would be a power house. They would have, if the playoffs started today, fifth place on lock.  Now, there is no home ice advantage for that but a much more balanced playoff series would derive from that position.

Heading into this afternoons game against the Bruins, the Kings are coming off one of the best performances of Jonathan Quicks young career. A 4-0 shut out over division rival Anaheim. He made 22 saves to capture his first shut out of the season.

The Bruins are a tricky team. Streaky for lack of a better word. Injuries have been the biggest issue, outside of the loss of Phil Kessel, and the one time power house of the Eastern Conference has taken a step back this season. That does not warrant taking them lightly. Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask are both capable of stealing victories even if the team is not scoring. A very important game for both clubs.

However, especially with Detroit, Minnesota, Vancouver, and Phoenix all playing today, the Kings need the two points.  As obvious as it has become, Quick will have to stand tall again.

Tonight’s line up (subject to change):

Smyth-Kopitar-Simmonds
Frovlov-Handzus-Brown
Parse-Stoll-Richardson
Ivanans-Moller-Segal

Scuderi – Doughty
Johnson – O’Donnell
Jones – Harrold

Quick

Like the weather in New York City, the Kings personnel went from hot to cold back to hot. Unfortunately, not record wise but player wise none the less.

What do I mean? Look at the players who have contributed and factored into the Kings offense over the course of the latest stretch of games:

Drew Doughty (D) 7 pts in last 5 GP
Jack Johnson (D) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Rob Scuderi (D) 3 pts in last 3 GP
Anze Kopitar (C) 6 pts in last 6 GP
Alexander Frolov (LW/RW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Dustin Brown (RW/LW) 3 pts in last 4 GP

For Quick, even with two losses, his shut out performance along with some very good play as of late, deserves a mention for hot play:
Jonathan Quick (G) 3-2-0, 1.89, .937 in last 5 GPI

Kings fans, this afternoon is the start of the separation period between the Kings and the five teams between them in the standings. Two points is a must, but not a gimme.

Quick hits:

An injury update:

Justin Williams – Leg IR. (Out until at least late March)
Davis Drewiske – Upper body IR. (Out until at least mid-January)
Matt Greene – Lower body (Questionable for Jan. 16 vs. Boston)
Andrei Loktionov – Shoulder IR. (Out until at least early March)