The LA Kings look for another Stanley Cup championship in the shortened 2013 season.
The four month NHL lockout is over and hockey resumes with the first LA Kings game of the season at Staples Center on January 19.
The defending Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings will play under the constraints of a shortened 48 game schedule. With little rest and recovery time, the Kings will attempt to repeat their success last season, but playing an entire season with few off days will challenge the entire league. No team can afford to lose key players to injury and any losing streak can potentially ruin a team’s playoff hopes.
The LA Kings hope to ride the momentum of last season in which they became the only No. 8 seed to ever win a Stanley Cup. Thanks to the dominance of goaltender Jonathan Quick, and Captain Dustin Brown’s gritty and relentless play, the Kings were unstoppable with a 16-4 post-season record as they upended the New Jersey Devils for the Stanley Cup. Important factors to consider:
Key Injuries: The Kings will begin the season without star winger Anze Kopitar, who is recovering from a knee injury. Kopitar should return the second week of the season if all goes as planned.
Players to watch: The former Philadelphia Flyers combo of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter begin their second season donning the black and purple. Expect them to become even more comfortable as key role players in 2013. Also worth watching is 20-year-old center Tyler Toffoli, a top goal scorer with the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs who could see playing time barring any significant injuries to the top six forwards.
Formidable Foes: Perennial Western Conference contender Vancouver Canucks, offensive minded St. Louis Blues and youthful Edmonton Oilers ought to pose a challenge to the Kings in the Western Conference.
Prediction: Like last season, the Kings will go as far as Jonathan Quick can take them. As long as they start strong, the Kings will return to the Western Conference Finals. However, it will be a challenge with the St. Louis Blues led by youngsters David Perrron, TJ Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo bringing a strong team to the Western Conference and a star-studded New York Rangers in the East.
Going to the game: LosAngeles.com offers several great pricing options for LA Kings games.
ALSO SEE: Watching the LA Kings, Hot Spots for Dining and Drinking Near Staples Center
