Game 68, Nashville Predators Vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings welcomed the Sharks, Coyotes, Avalanche’s and minor league affiliate Manchester Monarchs’ mascots to celebrate Bailey’s Birthday! However, five minutes into the 1st, Steve Sullivan took a bad angled shot which snuck past Kings Goaltender Jonathan Quick to give the Predators an early 1-0 lead. Four Minutes later Anze Kopitar scored on a one timer in front of the net off a pass from Michal Handzus to bring the game to a 1-1 tie. After a scoreless 2nd period, Dustin Brown scored a goal at 5:56 in the 3rd sniping past Predators goalie Pekka Rinne to give the Kings a brief 2-1 lead. Thirty seconds later, Colin Wilson scored on a rebound as tapped the puck into the wide open net, 2-2 tie. With 3:31 remaining, Patric Hornqvist picked up a rebound and crossed the crease and scored, for a disappointing 3-2 final score. The Kings must have a consistent win/loss ratio to be in the Playoffs, but at the moment the chances are good.

Game 67, Los Angeles Kings Vs. Dallas Stars

Kings goaltender Jonathan Bernier‘s season debut proved successful as the Kings beat the Dallas Stars. Late in the 1st, Fredrik Modin scored on a tip in from in front of the net on a shot by Dustin Brown, the Kings get a last minute 1st period goal. The Kings worked hard and are matched in strength for the 3rd period, but the Stars out worked the Kings. At 6:29 of the 3rd, Brenden Morrow scored on a short side shot on a nifty pass across from Trevor Daley, the score is tied at 1. The Kings go into a shootout, with Bernier in net,  and they are anxious. On the 6th round of the shootout, Jarret Stoll sniped past goaltender Marty Turco. The gives the Kings a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars, the Kings are one step closer to the playoffs.

Game 66, Los Angeles Kings Vs. Chicago Blackhawks

The Kings still happy about their previous 6-0 win over the Blue Jackets expect the mighty Blackhawks to come out hard and they didn’t disappoint. Early in the 1st, Patrick Sharp scored off a quick pass from behind the net, 1-0 Blackhawks. Five minutes into the 2nd, Dustin Brown scored on a wrap around, 1-1. A power play goal at 6:50 into the 2nd by Anze Kopitar gave the Kings a 1 goal lead, but just two minutes later, Kris Versteeg scored on a rebound against Kings goaltender, Jonathan Quick. The Kings worked hard and the score was tied at 2, as the two teams headed for overtime and Patrick Sharp scored on a breakaway. The Kings hope to get back to their winning ways on Friday against the Dallas Stars.

Game 65-Columbus Blue Jackets Vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings, losers of their two previous games, won’t take another loss for an answer. They started out determined and fast and just 5 minutes into the 1st, Wayne Simmonds scored on a low shot against goaltender Steve Mason on a partial breakaway. At 13:24 of the 1st Drew Doughty scored on a 4 on 4, a wicked one timer from the top of the slot, 2-0 Kings lead. One minute later Michael Handzus scored short side on Steve Mason during a scramble, 3-0 Kings lead. Another minute later, Alexander Frolov scored on a slap shot from the high slot, the Kings take a secure 4-0 lead in the 1st period. They continued early in the 2nd as newcomer Fredrik Modin scored on a backhand on a 2 on 1, 5-0 Kings lead. Midway into the 2nd, Brad Richardson picked up a rebound and gave the Kings an insurmountable 6-0 lead. The Kings tied their season high of 6 goals, for the 9th time this season once again sit on their throne and enjoy the taste of victory.

Game 64, Los Angeles Kings Vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Kings who are currently 33-22-4 are looking to get a few consecutive wins to secure a playoff spot and possibly home ice advantage. Very early in the first, Brian Gionta pushed in a rebound during a scrum in front of the net, for an early 1-0 lead for the Canadiens. With under a minute remaining in the 1st period, Anze Kopitar went in on a breakaway, cut across the crease and slipped the puck past goaltender Jaroslav Halak. Five minutes into the 2nd, Dominic Moore ripped a shot from just outside the top of the face off circle, 2-1 Canadiens. Early in the 3rd, Benoit Pouliot caught a pass from behind the net and beat Quick’s two pad stack. At 7:12 of the 3rd, Fredrik Modin found a hole in Halak, bringing the score to 3-2. With a minute remaining, Tomas Plekanec scored into an empty net, 4-2 Canadiens over the Kings. The Kings look ahead to the Columbus Blue Jackets next Monday.

Game 63, Los Angeles Kings vs. Nashville Predators 

The Kings were looking to secure consecutive victories following the Olympic break. One minute into the 1st period Alexander Frolov deked Predators goalie Dan Ellis held the puck and tapped it in for an early 1-0 lead. J.P. Dumont scored a few minutes later after Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick mishandled the puck behind the net, 1-1 tie. Halfway through the 2nd period, Jason Arnott beat Quick short side, 2-1 Predators take the lead. Early in the 3rd Marcel Goc received a pass in front of the net and shot through traffic, 3-1 Predators. At the 6:40 mark of the 3rd, Drew Doughty got a pass backdoor and slammed it home, 3-2 and the Kings are back in the game. However, with one minute remaining, Jerred Smithson iced the game as he scored for a 4-2 final score.

Game 62, Los Angeles Kings Vs. Dallas Stars

Congratulations to all the Kings who participated in the Olympics, including gold medal winner Drew Doughty,  silver medal winners Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown and Jack Johnson and Slovakia’s Michael Handzus. Jarret Stoll started the Kings off early in the first when he received a pass in front of the net, 1-0 Kings. An early second period goal by Alexander Frolov gave the Kings a 2-0 lead over the Stars. Halfway through the 2nd, Brad Richardson scored on a point blank shot from the middle of the slot, 3-0 lead. A late 2nd period goal by Ryan Smyth increased the Kings seemingly insurmountable lead to 4. Just over 5:00 into the 3rd period, Mike Ribeiro slid past a Kings defensemen and is too quick for Quick to stop the puck, 4-1 Kings lead. With seven seconds remaining Anze Kopitar ripped a slap shot from the point that deflected off a Dallas defender and past Dallas goalie Marty Turco,  for a 5-1 final score. The Kings next opponent is the conference rival Nashville Predators.

Game 61, Colorado Avalanche Vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings look to play a great game before their three week Olympic break against the Colorado Avalanche. Brad Richardson deflects Drew Doughty’s point shot at 11:19 in the 2nd. Early in the 3rd, Anze Kopitar walks into the slot and sneaks the puck short side on goaltender Craig Anderson. About three minutes later Oscar Moller gets a break away and shoots the puck shortside, 3-0 Kings defeat the Colorado Avalanche, a good finish for a three week break.

Game 60, Edmonton Oilers Vs. Los Angeles Kings
 
The Kings attempt to start another winning streak against the Edmonton Oilers, fresh off of their recent 9 gamer. After a scoreless first period Denis Grebeshkov caught Eric Ersberg off guard as he fired the puck from the point and beat Ersberg, the Oilers obtain a late 2nd period lead. Dustin Penner scored 7:47 into the 3rd with a short side wrist shot. The Kings stepped it up and at 11:05 into the 3rd, Dustin Brown scored on a rebound as he backhanded the puck over a two pad stack, 2-1 Oilers lead. At the 15:12 mark of the 3rd, Ryan Smyth picked up a rebound and tapped the puck into the net to tie the game at 2. The Kings worked hard and made a comeback, but they lost in a shootout and hope to beat the Colorado Avalanche, the last game before a three week Olympic break.

Game 59, Los Angeles Kings Vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Kings were looking for a chance to end the Ducks winning streak, and prolong their own franchise record 9 game winning streak. Oscar Moller tapped in a rebound past Jonas Hiller early in the 1^st   for an early 1-0 Kings lead. About 6 minutes later, Teemu Selanne got a wide open net opportunity as many players were jamming the crease, holding Kings goaltender, Jonathan Quick down, not allowing him a chance to stop the puck, game tied at 1. Early in the 2^nd, Ryan Getzlaf received a pass from behind the net from Corey Perry and ripped a quick shot far side shot, 2-1 Ducks lead. Saku Koivu picked up a rebound in front of the net and put it over Quick before he could respond, 3-1 Ducks lead. Late in the 2^nd Anze Kopitar executed a give-n-go with Ryan Smyth, then beat Hiller, getting the Kings back into the game, 3-2 Ducks. Moments later the Kings momentum was shot, as Corey Perry took a shot from the top of the circle that beat Quick on the far side, 4-2 Ducks. The 3^rd period ended scoreless, despite the Kings best effort and this put the Kings franchise record 9 game winning streak in the gutter. Next up for the Kings are the Edmonton Oilers.