Defending the Stanley Cup is no easy task. Five games into the 2013 NHL season, and the LA Kings are learning first-hand. Beginning with the home opener, the Kings have failed to continue the dominance from last season’s impeccable playoff run, but there’s still hope.
The Kings raised the Stanley Cup banner at the Staples Center to a thunderous ovation from a packed to capacity Staples Center. The momentum, however, did not translate onto the ice. The visiting Blackhawks poured it on Kings Goalie, Jonathan Quick in a 5-2 victory.
Facing Colorado and Edmonton the Kings managed to only score two goals combined. While an 0-2-1 start might seem discouraging, consider the fact that dominant teams from last season including the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers, also dropped their first couple games.
Without any preseason games, teams like the Kings are figuring things out on the fly. Fortunately, the Kings were able to rebound against Phoenix and come from behind in their last game against Vancouver, a 3-2 shoot out victory.
Jonathan Quick has looked much sharper since the home opener. Other bright spots include Center Jeff Carter, leading the team with three goals, and young left winger Kyle Clifford leading the team with five points through five games.
However, captain Dustin Brown and center Mike Richards, two of the team’s elite attackers, are off to a slow star,t tallying just two points combined. Expect their play to pick up soon as the Kings play host to Nashville and then take an extended five game road trip visiting the rival Ducks before touring the Midwest.
If the Kings can extend their two game win streak and steal some games on the road, there is no reason they cannot quickly climb to the top of the Western Conference standings. This season is all contingent on momentum. Perhaps the shootout victory over the Canucks is just the spark this team needs.
Regardless, there’s a lot of hockey left. Find tickets to LA Kings games at the Staples Center.
