Hollywood has a place for Hockey

The Los Angeles Kings magical playoff run is putting hockey on the map in Hollywood

If you finish 29th in league scoring during the year and still make the playoffs, there's probably only one reason why? Goaltender Jonathan Quick finally had his breakout year and is putting the team on his back and possibly into the Cup Finals. Quick's numbers were Vezina worthy posting a 35-21-13 record with a 1.95 G.A.A. and a league best 10 Shutouts. The Kings were also part of the most 1-goal games this season winning 30 of a possible 48. There are people however, who believe that the Kings really took off on Dec.20, the day Darryl Sutter became the new coach replacing Terry Murray. When Sutter stepped in, the Kings were out of the playoff picture, but he soon realized the strengths and weaknesses of this team, and decided if they were going to be a low-scoring team that they better play good defensive hockey. Currently, up 3-0 on the St. Louis Blues in the 2nd round shows that his guidance and leadership has been nothing short of a prayer for the Kings.

When Sutter was introduced, they were just coming off an 8-2 pounding at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings. GM Dean Lombardi had seen enough. So in comes Sutter and turns the team around going 26-13-11 down the stretch and into the post-season, and if that wasn't too shabby enough they knocked off the President Trophy winners Vancouver Canucks easily in five games. The big off-season the Kings had finally started to pay-off when they brought in Jeff Carter at the deadline. Carter brought instant scoring capability and his time spent with Mike Richards gave the Kings some familiarity. With the addition of Carter the teams Centre's position was set with Kopitar, Stoll and Trever Lewis down the middle. While the Dustin's (Penner and Brown) have really hit their stride and are helping carry the team's offensive load. The team's real asset though lies on its blue line. With young guys Slava Voynov and Drew Doughty paired with gritty veterans Willie Mitchell, Rob Scudari and Matt Greene the team has a lot of heart and their ability to block shots in front of their net minder is an added bonus.

It may be a surprise to many that the Kings are having so much success, but for me it's just a good team realizing it's full potential. During the course of the season, I was up many late nights (being that I live on the east coast) watching L.A and the only thing I took notice too was their inability to score. The common mistake among hockey people, is that they think that a team's core and chemistry can be formed over a six weeks span during pre-season, however as is the case in most sports it takes a team time during the season to get in sync and endure many obstacles, to finally come out on top.

The Kings are a perfect 5-0 on the road in the playoffs and by finishing eighth they will have to continue the hot road play onto either Nashville or Phoenix. The team is just five wins away from the first Stanley Cup berth since they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the '93 Cup Final. They also have a guy in Mike Richards who has won at every level he's played but never a Stanley Cup. Hi s leadership will continue to play a pivotal factor for the Kings. There's no question the team will live and die by the play of Jonathan Quick and as long as the Kings can hold their opponents to two goals or less this team will have a great shot at hosting lord Stanley.