30 in 30 with the Los Angeles Kings

DP · Aug 15, 2011

NHL.com

While the 2010-11 Kings couldn't match their 101-point output from the previous campaign, it still proved to be a landmark season in Los Angeles.

It marked the first time in a decade the Kings made the playoffs in consecutive seasons, as well as the first time in franchise history the team posted consecutive seasons of more than 45 wins. That success also translated at the gate, where the Kings sold out their final 18 home games and 35 of 41.

Unfortunately, it also marked the second straight season the Kings lost in the opening round of the playoffs.

While the first-round exit could be attributed partially to a late-season leg injury sustained by star center Anze Kopitar, there were other bright spots last season on which the Kings can build. The team managed 98 points in an ultra-competitive Pacific Division that almost saw all five of its teams reach the postseason -- this despite a scheduling quirk that saw the Kings embark on a team-record 10-game February road trip, on which they went 6-1-3.

Most importantly, the Kings established a youthful core of talented players around which coach Terry Murray and GM Dean Lombardi can build. Kopitar already had established a career high for assists in a season when he went down with a broken leg, and Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson established themselves among the League's top young defensive duos.

But the Kings' breakout player last season may have been goaltender Jonathan Quick. Just one season after establishing a team record for wins in a season, Quick set new personal marks for shutouts, save percentage and goals-against average.

Combined with the offseason addition of All-Star forwards Mike Richards and Simon Gagne, Los Angeles appears poised to finally take the next step in its development. A first-round exit no longer will be acceptable for a team that has been coming together for three years now -- especially since its core includes Richards and Gagne, who helped lead the Flyers to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.
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With their marquee additions this past summer, the hope is the Kings will generate a more balanced style of play in their quest to win their first playoff series since 2001. While the Kings ranked in the League's top 10 in goals-against and penalty killing, they were in the NHL’s bottom third in goals-for and power-play efficiency. Adding two players who have combined for 409 NHL goals could go a long way toward providing that two-way balance.

Much like last season, the Kings' greatest challenge should come from within their state. The San Jose Sharks have been the class of the West Coast for some time now, winning the Pacific Division the past four seasons. Meanwhile, cross-town rival Anaheim had a historic offensive stretch in the second half of last season and now boasts the defending Hart Trophy winner in Corey Perry.

Between the homegrown core and recent offseason additions, the Kings might have their best combination of veteran poise and youthful energy since the Wayne Gretzky era.
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30 in 30 with the Los Angeles Kings

DP He shoots, he scores!

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30 in 30 with the Los Angeles Kings

DP He shoots, he scores!

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