VIDEO: Raw footage from Kings locker room after Game 4 WCF

Source: MayorsManor by John Hoven

The Kings are now 1-2 in game fours during the post season, having only picked up a victory against the Blues in the last round. Although they put up roughly twice as many shots as the Coyotes, Shane Doan’s pair of goals were enough to pick up the win for Phoenix. Game five will be Tuesday back in the desert. First though, let’s take a lap around the Kings locker room following today’s game…

Matt Greene:

Justin Williams:

Trevor Lewis:

Dustin Penner:

We’ll be on hand for all the action in Phoenix, so be sure to follow along on twitter and facebook for live updates.

If you missed some of our exclusive pre-game interviews, check these out:

Shane Doan on karma vs the Kings

Ray Whitney on karma vs the Kings

Dwight King on Kingsanity

Jordan Nolan on the special guests he has in town this weekend

Follow @mayorNHL

Coyotes live to fight another day in NHL series (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Phoenix Coyotes weren't about to go quietly into the night as long as captain Shane Doan had a say in the matter.

Los Angeles Kings aren't good enough to get job done in Game 4

Source: LA Times

With a chance to reach the Stanley Cup finals, the Kings instead are outplayed by Phoenix in a 2-0 loss. They hope they can follow path of Vancouver series, when they lost Game 4 and closed it out in Game 5.

If success had dulled the Kings' memory of what it felt like to lose, if eliminating the Vancouver Canucks in five games, sweeping the St. Louis Blues and taking the first three games of the Western Conference finals against the Phoenix Coyotes had made them forget how deeply a defeat can sting, it all came back to them Sunday afternoon.

Kings are jammed up as Coyotes win, 2-0, to extend series

Source: LA Times

Shane Doan scores twice and Mike Smith stops 36 shots as Phoenix wins at Staples to avert sweep in Western Conference finals. The Kings, still up 3-1, head back on road, where they are 7-0 in playoffs.

First, the feared traffic nightmare didn't materialize Sunday, when cycling and hockey fans minded their transit rules in the morning. Then another doomsday scenario was averted when the Coyotes and goalie Mike Smith cooperated by shutting out the Kings.

Kings aren't good enough to get job done in Game 4

Source: LA Times

With a chance to reach the Stanley Cup finals, the Kings instead are outplayed by Phoenix in a 2-0 loss. They hope they can follow path of Vancouver series, when they lost Game 4 and closed it out in Game 5.

If success had dulled the Kings' memory of what it felt like to lose, if eliminating the Vancouver Canucks in five games, sweeping the St. Louis Blues and taking the first three games of the Western Conference finals against the Phoenix Coyotes had made them forget how deeply a defeat can sting, it all came back to them Sunday afternoon.

Kings get jammed up as Coyotes win, 2-0, to extend series

Source: LA Times

Shane Doan scores twice and Mike Smith stops 36 shots as Phoenix wins at Staples to avert sweep in Western Conference finals. The Kings, still up 3-1, head back on road, where they are 7-0 in playoffs.

First, the feared traffic nightmare didn't materialize Sunday, when cycling and hockey fans minded their transit rules in the morning. Then another doomsday scenario was averted when the Coyotes and goalie Mike Smith cooperated by shutting out the Kings.

L.A. Kings fans are split on which Coyote to dislike the most

Source: LA Times

Phoenix captain Shane Doan hears the boos as lineups are announced and he goes on to score two goals. There are chants against goalie Mike Smith, who made 36 saves to help Coyotes avoid elimination.

Every fan base needs a villain in a playoff series.

Mike Smith saves Coyotes' season with shutout performance against Kings (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Phoenix goalie was perfect in Game 4 to prolong the West final. The question is, can he do it three more times against powerful Los Angeles?

Sutter postgame quotes (May 20)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Darryl Sutter’s postgame thoughts… (on any concerns about the Kings’ compete level or game…) SUTTER: “I’m not too worried about our compete level. I don’t think they are, either. … You’ve got to win four games. They are a home-ice team. They finished ahead of us for a good reason. So there’s not much difference [...]

NHL Playoffs 2012: L.A. Kings Have Nothing to Fret over Despite Missing Sweep

Source: Bleacher Report

Appropriately enough, the main reason the Los Angeles Kings could not finish off the Phoenix Coyotes on their first try was because they could not finish off, much less sniff out, nearly enough second hacks at opposing goaltender Mike Smith.

On some occasions, they didn’t even pick up on a radiant invitation to take a first shot.

Outscored solely by visiting captain Shane Doan, 2-0, the Kings dropped to 4-2 on home ice in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs and 2-2 when trying to polish off a series.

But perhaps with a steadier flow of oomph throughout Sunday’s Game 4 and more assertiveness on enemy property, the Kings would already have laid claim to the Campbell Bowl. And they would have lent a certificate of authenticity to their upper hand in nearly every statistical category in the contest.

L.A. out-shot Phoenix 36-21 and also ran up a 76-44 advantage in terms of attempted shots. Five individual Kings recorded a takeaway on the day while the Coyotes reaped none.

Every Kings skater landed at least one shot on goal. All but three threw at least one body-check. Trevor Lewis led or co-led the way in both categories with five of each.

Of the team’s final collection of 36 shots on net, six came over a cumulative span of 9:24 spent on the power play. Another three came within their three minutes and 42 seconds of shorthanded action.

On five occasions, Smith faced a pair of tests in direct succession with no whistles in between.

Eight of nine goals Smith has allowed in the series have come from within 29 feet or fewer, as did 14 of the 36 shots he stopped in Game 4.

And one period after L.A. goaltender Jonathan Quick’s turnover allowed Doan to break the ice for the Coyotes, the home skaters nearly pulled Smith even with their own backstop. During a penalty kill late in the second period, Anze Kopitar pounced on Smith’s giveaway from behind the net and set up captain Dustin Brown for a facile shorthanded strike.

If Brown had taken a better, split-second grip on the puck before releasing his wrister, he most likely would have whittled what was by then a 2-0 deficit in half. He would have symbolically issued at least a half-response to his counterpart, Doan, and continued the day’s trend of the captains filling the cages.

And the Kings would have had a rejuvenated Staples Center along with 23 minutes and 42 seconds of playing time left to dig for the equalizer.

Under altered circumstances, Quick’s costly gaffe may never have occurred. Smith committed another turnover upon vacating his crease at the 13:51 mark of the opening frame. But as he returned to his post, he drew an interference minor on Justin Williams that set up Quick’s giveaway and Doan’s first strike.

With less contact and a swifter pounce on the puck, the Kings might have burned Smith and penned a few names to the right half of the score sheet rather than add Williams to the penalty column.

That, too, would have uncorked a helpful buzz from the home masses.

But Los Angeles never so much as hatched the goose-egg, which granted Smith his third playoff shutout and a most redeeming game after a few comparatively shaky outings earlier in the series.

On the other hand, while Quick saw his eight-game winning streak halted, he confined the opposition to no more than two goals for the ninth consecutive time and the 12th in 13 total outings in this playoff run. His self-esteem will likely not be undergoing any X-rays in the wake of Game 4.

Granted, Phoenix’s season-saving victory and the resultant shift back to Jobing.com Arena cracks open the question as to how much longer the Kings can foster their perfect (7-0) road record in the postseason.

But the Kings went through this exact scenario in the conference quarterfinals versus the top-dog Vancouver Canucks. And as it was then, there is no legitimate sign of anything unraveling on Darryl Sutter’s bench.

The Kings out-shot the Coyotes for the fourth consecutive meeting and out-disciplined them for the third time in a row. Do both again while also issuing another balanced attack and Game 5 should be about as even as Game 4, only with a slightly keener thirst on L.A.’s part.

Read more Los Angeles Kings news on BleacherReport.com

Return to road might be advantage for Kings (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Los Angeles Kings can't really explain their success on the road in these playoffs. They just hope it continues.

Greene postgame quotes (May 20)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Matt Greene’s postgame thoughts… (on the game…) GREENE: “I think Phoenix played really well. They played a good game and came out hard. They got a big power-play goal against us there and they got a big faceoff goal. Smith was awesome tonight. They played well and we can play better. We need to respond [...]

Kings powerless to stop Coyotes in Game 4

Source: ESPN Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings have yet to get plugged in on the power play this postseason, and their shortage of goals with the man advantage finally led to a blackout Sunday afternoon in Game 4 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes. They went 0-for-6 with the man advantage in the 2-0 loss at Staples Center, a defeat that prevented them from completing their second straight series sweep and advancing to the Stanley Cup finals for the second time in franchise history.

Penner postgame quotes (May 20)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Dustin Penner’s postgame thoughts… (on the game…) PENNER: “They played really well. It’s a good lesson for us. We had got the bounces, for the most part, until tonight. They threw themselves in front of a lot of shots. Their PK was really good and they got a power-play goal. So, they definitely earned this [...]

Brown postgame quotes (May 20)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Dustin Brown’s postgame thoughts… (on the game…) BROWN: “I think tonight was more about the Phoenix Coyotes playing a good game. They sat back and they are opportunistic and that’s how they’ve done it all year. They’ve been a resilient group all year and they showed that tonight. They executed really well and that’s the [...]

Shane Doan saves Coyotes in Game 4, not worried about Kings’ road streak (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Shane Doan was defiant heading into Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. He wasn't ready to see the Phoenix Coyotes' season end, and certainly not under a cloud of humiliation. "This team's worked too hard to not show what we're capable of. A lot of guys were embarrassed going down 3-0, and we ought to find a way to show what we're capable of,"  said Doan on CBC, moments after his 2-goal effort stood up in a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. "We got a game back." Of course, the Kings have lost a potential elimination game on home ice before — and still saw their series end in five. They've also been on the road before in the 2012 playoffs. They've yet to lose, going 7-for-7. Doan, the Coyotes' captain, has heard about this streak. "What is it, nine in a row or something? Everyone's talking about it. There's two ways to look at it: They're either due to lose, or we have to do something to stop them. Law of averages says they're going to eventually lose on the road," said Doan in the postgame presser. "Next game would be a bad one to lose."

Kopitar postgame quotes (May 20)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Anze Kopitar’s postgame thoughts… (on not scoring on the power play…) KOPITAR: “We had our opportunities on the power play and we didn’t cash in. We lost the special-teams battle tonight, and we’ve got to make sure we correct that on Tuesday.’’ (on how to improve the power play…) KOPITAR: “Just shooting more and simplify [...]

Williams postgame quotes (May 20)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Justin Williams’ postgame thoughts… (on whether the game was about Phoenix’s strengths or the Kings’ shortcomings…) WILLIAMS: “It’s probably obviously two-fold. They executed their game plan and stuck to it the whole game. We had almost 40 shots, but not as good of quality as we wanted, and usually that’s the story when the other [...]

NHL Coyotes avoid elimination by beating Kings (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Shane Doan scored twice and Mike Smith posted this third shutout of the post-season as the Phoenix Coyotes staved off elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs by beating Los Angeles 2-0 on Sunday.

Kings fail to close out Coyotes, losing 2-0 in Game 4

Source: LA Times

Shane Doan scores in the first and second periods while goaltender Mike Smith stops 36 shots, sending the best-of-seven Western Conference finals series back to Phoenix.

Now the Kings will feel some heat.

Coyotes beat LA Kings 2-0, avoid West final sweep (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) Shane Doan scored two goals, Mike Smith made 36 saves in his third playoff shutout, and the Phoenix Coyotes emphatically avoided playoff elimination with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday.

Game 4: Coyotes 2, Kings 0 (FINAL)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Kings: Coyotes stretch lead to 2-0

Source: ESPN Los Angeles

Western Conference final Game 4 (Kings lead the series, 3-0) After the 2nd period: Phoenix Coyotes 2, Kings 0 The good: Well, at the least the Kings have a comfortable lead in the series. They took their foot off the gas pedal somewhat in the second period, but still managed to out-shoot the Coyotes for the second straight period, owning a 13-9 advantage. Drew Doughty leads the way with five shots on goal and Trevor Lewis has three, plus another that hit the post about three minutes into the period.

Game 4: Coyotes 2, Kings 0 (3rd period)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Game 4: Coyotes 2, Kings 0 (end of 2nd)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Game 4: Coyotes 2, Kings 0 (2nd period)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Game 4: Coyotes 1, Kings 0 (2nd period)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Kings: Shane Doan scores to give Coyotes 1-0 lead

Source: ESPN Los Angeles

Western Conference final Game 4 (Kings lead the series, 3-0) After the 1st period: Phoenix Coyotes 1, Kings 0 The good: The Kings generally outplayed the Coyotes in every category but the scoreboard. They kept Phoenix without a shot on goal the first seven minutes and ended up with a 10-5 edge in shots on net. All four lines had their moments during the period, including a solid first shift by the third line of Jarret Stoll, Trevor Lewis and Dwight King.

This Jonathan Quick sex joke is our favorite ad of 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs (PHOTO) (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

You've got your stick in hand and all you want to do is score, but someone is denying you that moment of euphoria. Husbands of the world, the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues and the Phoenix Coyotes feel your frustration … and this display ad outside of Staples Center around LA Live during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final is hilarious. Over the last two years, the Boston Bruins offered some hilarious (and hilariously offensive, to some parties) display advertisements. For example: "Never, Ever Date A Flyers Fan. Even If She Shaves Her Moustache." Whoever put this Jonathan Quick tribute up — the Los Angeles Kings? Reebok? Some mysterious goalie-loving benefactor? — is giving those Boston ads a run for comedic genius in playoff display advertising. Although, a word of advice for that frustrated husband: Try shooting from center ice. s/t @bloodyeyeballs, via @hockeydoc21 and @tonybova

Game 4: Coyotes 1, Kings 0 (end of 1st)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Game 4: Kings vs. Coyotes (1st period)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat with Jim [...]

Game 4: Kings vs. Coyotes (pregame)

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

Will the series end today, or will it go back to the desert? It’s the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. All the action is on NBC Sports Network and on 1150-AM, 570-AM and affiliates, with all the game updates here as well, along with a live chat [...]

Kings-Coyotes Game 4 Playoff Thread

Source: Jewels From The Crown

We're a multinational hangout crew. Woo hoo!

Can NY Rangers win Stanley Cup with Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh playing so many minutes? (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Rangers' 3-goalie system of Lundqvist, Girardi and McDonagh watches the play develop at the other end. Winning the Stanley Cup Final is as much about overcoming attrition as it is about overmatching your opponent. Often times, a team's ability to minimize fatigue and damage in rounds 1-3 can determine the outcome of round 4. This in mind, I worry about Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh. Tortortella's Fellas block a lot of shots, and Girardi and McDonagh lead the way in this regard. The duo combined to get hit by 387 pucks during the regular season -- 4.7 per game -- and they've picked up the pace since, averaged a combined 6.3 shot blocks this postseason. Girardi's blocked 54; McDonagh's blocked 53. The third-ranked postseason shot-blocker is Willie Mitchell, with 39. This is a lot to put the body through. But Girardi and McDonagh's issue goes beyond simply racking up the contusions. They also play nearly half the game. Both are up over 460 minutes already this postseason: Girardi has played 465:03; McDonagh has played 461:21, a full 30 minutes more than Marc Staal, the third-busiest postseason skater. Let's put this into further perspective.

Scouting the Coyotes

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

This is Game 4 in the best-of-seven, Western Conference Finals series between the Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes. The Kings lead the series 3-0. Based on yesterday’s practice, it seems likely that the Coyotes will regain the services of veteran defenseman Adrian Aucoin, who missed the first three games of this series due to injury. [...]

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: Jonathan Quick Makes LA Kings Favorites to Win It All

Source: Bleacher Report

The Los Angeles Kings have gone from the final seed to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference to the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. While everyone on the roster has stepped up, the Kings are in this position because of one man: goalie Jonathan Quick.

Quick has been sensational during the playoffs. He has posted a ridiculous 11-1 record, with a 1.41 goals-against average and a mind-boggling save percentage of 95.1. He has been all over the ice making amazing save after amazing save to help propel the Kings thus far in the playoffs. 

The Kings knocked off the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks in five games, then swept the second-seeded St. Louis Blues. Entering Sunday they have a 3-0 lead on the third-seeded Phoenix Coyotes and have completely dominated the series.

While guys like Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty and Dwight King have stepped up their games in the postseason, Quick has been this good all season long. He is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL's best goaltender, and this is nothing new, he has been great between the pipes for years.

Even if the Kings don't finish off a sweep of Phoenix on Sunday, they have still dominated the series and I really can't see any way the Coyotes can get back into it. That means Los Angeles will be heading into the Stanley Cup Finals with the league's hottest goalie. 

Quick already has two shutouts during the postseason, that adds to his league-best 10 from the regular season. He has been sensational all season. 

The Milford, Connecticut native gets himself into perfect position on almost every shot he faces, and also has the ability to change direction and sprawl all over the ice to make saves. With a guy like that manning the net it shouldn't surprise many that the Kings have been successful.

Thanks to Quick's incredible ability in goal, the Los Angeles Kings look like Stanley Cup favorites right now.

Read more Los Angeles Kings news on BleacherReport.com

Today's Tune-In Information

Source: NHL.com

WHO: Los Angeles Kings WHAT: Broadcast Tune-In Information WHEN: Today – Game Starts at Noon WHERE: NBC, AM 1150 / KLAC 570 (game simulcast) and Prime Ticket (postgame) The Kings continue their Western Confere...

First Goal Contest – Coyotes at Kings, WCF Game 4

Source: MayorsManor by John Hoven

After leading the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 and dropping Game 4 in the first round, then leading the St. Luois Blues 3-0 in the second round and finishing off the sweep on home ice, the big question of the day is will the Western Conference Finals be more like the former or the latter. 

Although Kings coach Darryl Sutter toyed with the gather media yesterday and wouldn’t divulge if Colin Fraser would be going back into the line-up, it looks like he’ll be centering the fourth line – with Brad Richardson sliding back over to left wing and Kyle Clifford being the odd man out.  Over on the Coyotes side, Martin Hanzal will return after his one game suspension following Game 2.  Most likely, Marc-Antoine Pouliot will stay in and Paul Bissonnette will exit the Phoenix line-up.  However, those will all be game-time decisions, as will the status of defenseman Adrian Aucoin. We’ll give you updates on the rosters from both sides during warm-ups at the arena (via twitter and facebook).

Now, if you want to win a signed Dustin Brown puck or other great prizes, here’s some details for you… we’ve been running two separate First Goal Contests during the playoffs… there’s the traditional MayorsManor contest run exclusively during Kings games, where recently we’ve been giving away a signed puck…and, the other, which is more like a tournament running through the end of the NHL playoffs. In the latter, we’re giving away a jersey or stick signed by the entire LA Kings team (the winner gets to choose their prize, as previously announced here).

For the Western Conference Finals, we’re combining both contests into one post…

Three things to know:

1 – You can enter ONE contest or BOTH by just leaving a single comment below.

2 – If you want to enter the Kings contest ONLY, simply leave a comment below with the LA player you think scores first vs. the Coyotes today. As always, multiple people can guess the same player. So, don’t worry about somebody else taking ‘your player.’ If that player scores first, we’ll pool all the winners together and randomly select one person to receive an autographed Dustin Brown puck.

SAMPLE ENTRY: Justin Williams

3 – If you want to enter BOTH contests, no problem. Just leave a comment below and select one player from each team playing today. We’ll use your Kings guess to enter you in both contests.

SAMPLE ENTRY:

Phoenix (Vermette) at Los Angeles (Voynov)

Make sense? It should seem easy enough.

Good luck!

After you cast your vote, be sure to check out some of the exclusive video interviews we posted last night:

Shane Doan on karma vs the Kings

Ray Whitney on karma vs the Kings

Dwight King on Kingsanity

Jordan Nolan on the special guests he has in town this weekend

Follow @mayorNHL

Morning in Los Angeles

Source: LA Kings Insider by Rich Hammond

For those seeking a traffic update, an 8:15 a.m. arrival at Staples Center included no traffic on the 110 freeway or nearby streets, although there are already street closures around the arena. A lot of media and arena workers showed up very early this morning. On the ice, Pia Toscano was already warming up for [...]

Kings-Coyotes WCF Game 4 Preview: In Dreams

Source: Jewels From The Crown

Game 4 Preview. First goal wins.

On brink of Stanley Cup Final, LA Kings not looking ahead (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Staples Center in Los Angeles has been busy this weekend with six playoff games in four days between the Clippers, Kings and Lakers with today featuring a day/night hockey/basketball doubleheader. And while arena workers change the surface from ice to a basketball court sometime this afternoon, at the same time, there could be some celebrating going on in the home locker room. The Stanley Cup Final awaits the Kings with a win today over the Phoenix Coyotes. It's been 19 years since they've been at this point in the postseason, but there are plenty of players on the roster that have played this late in a season before. Despite that experience, there will be nerves and likely some minds looking ahead before the puck drops on Game 4. "Everyone talks about getting to the Stanley Cup Final, but I can only speak really for myself, playing in that game tomorrow [Sunday] night is pretty fun, as well," said Kings captain Dustin Brown yesterday. "It's one of the things where you gotta really enjoy the journey. We're one game away from the Cup Final. But it's one game we have to win." It's only human nature for Brown and his teammates to picture what a celebration might be like in front of the home crowd after another series sweep. And, in Brown's case, he may have taken a moment to ponder whether or not he touches the Clarence Campbell Bowl out of superstition. Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, however, were a bit more cautious.

West Finals Game 4 Notes: Kings vs. Coyotes

Source: NHL.com

Game Notes (.pdf) Author: Jeremy Zager | LAKings.com Staff Writer

NHL Playoffs 2012: Preview and Prediction for Game 4 of Coyotes vs. Kings

Source: Bleacher Report

One of the great sports weekends in Los Angeles history could actually reach its apex tomorrow afternoon when the Los Angeles Kings will try to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for only the second time ever.

All that stands in their way is a proud Phoenix Coyotes club that does not want to be swept out of the Conference Finals in embarrassing fashion.

Truth be told, the traffic in front of Staples Center at about the time the puck will drop might pose more of a challenge to the Kings than the Coyotes will.

That does not mean the Coyotes are a bad team, or that they are playing badly. It just means the Kings are playing at a level rarely seen in the NHL playoffs.

It is startling to see what the No. 8 seeded Kings have accomplished this post season.

First, they dispatched the defending Western Conference champion, and No. 1 seed, Vancouver Canucks in five games.

They then actually got better by sending the second-seeded St. Louis Blues packing in a four-game sweep.

Now they stand ready to sweep away the No. 3 seeded Coyotes.

And the number of people who think the Coyotes can steal just one win in this series has dwindled down to next to nothing.

The playoff transformation of the Kings has been a complete shock to the Western Conference, even if it could be argued that the talent was there the whole time.

What makes the Kings so good is that they have gelled into a complete team here in these playoffs.

When the playoffs started, and discussion turned to which teams were the deepest in the playoffs, people talked about the Boston Bruins or the New York Rangers or the Canucks.

They were not talking about the Kings.

But the Kings have turned out to be one of the deepest teams in the playoffs so far and, in so doing, they have become nearly impossible to defend.

If you are the Coyotes, where do you put your emphasis on defense?

Anze Kopitar has scored two goals in this series, Jeff Carter has a hat trick and Dustin Brown has been an absolute monster in the playoffs with seven goals, including one in this series.

Then there is Dwight King, who has come out of nowhere to nearly eliminate the Coyotes single-handedly. King has three goals in this series alone—and his line is the King's third line. In fact, the line of King, Trevor Lewis and Jarret Stoll are a major reason the Coyotes are in this 0-3 hole they find themselves in.

All that and neither Mike Richards or Dustin Penner have truly announced their presence in this series.

Offensively, the Kings are playing far better than anyone still alive in the NHL playoffs.

Defensively, they are playing extremely well also.

No, they are not quite the shot blocking machines that the Washington Capitals were, or that the New York Rangers still are—although Willie Mitchell has been blocking shots as effectively as anyone.

But they are not giving up much. The Coyotes are averaging 23 shots on goal in this series, which wouldn't be bad—if the Kings weren't averaging 39 shots on goal themselves.

The Kings are also playing tough, physical playoff hockey, matching the Coyotes hit for hit. They are not letting shots get through to Jonathon Quick. The Kings defenders sticks are very active.

The Coyotes just do not get much of a chance to try and implement the offensive game plan that worked so well against Chicago and Nashville.

Speaking of Quick, when shots do get through, the Kings goalie is not giving an inch. Yes, he has given up a few soft goals in this series. But when the Kings have needed him to rise to the task, Quick has been there time and again.

All of this certainly seems to indicate that Kings fans should have their brooms on hand for the second series in a row.

One has to wonder what, if anything the Coyotes can do to forestall the inevitable.

Mike Smith has not been playing badly. He is the only reason the Coyotes were even in Game 3.

But the Kings are playing so aggressively, and passing with such pin point accuracy, that any lead the Coyotes get, and they have only led once in this series, is very short lived. As good as Smith is, he has just been under constant attack for three games now.

The Coyotes must get a two goal lead on the Kings if they want to force a fifth game back in the desert. One goal leads against the Kings have not been safe at all the entire playoffs.

They must figure out a way to, if not out shoot the Kings, at least not get out shot by nearly 16 in Game 4. There is no way the Coyotes win Game 4 if that trend continues.

The Coyotes have defied the odds all season. One gets the feeling like they will go down swinging.

And the Kings, historically anyway, are not that good when they play day games, as they went 0-3 in day games in the regular season.

Of course, they did cap a sweep of the Blues in a day game two weeks ago. 

Prediction

Unfortunately, that whole "day-game" angle might be the best the Coyotes have going for them—and that is obviously not much to go on at all.

The Kings are playing at a different level entirely. Maybe the eventual Eastern Conference champion can slow them down some, but probably not.

The Coyotes will not go down without a fight but Jonathon Quick will get his second shutout of the series as the Kings complete the sweep with a 2-0 win.

Read more Los Angeles Kings news on BleacherReport.com

NHL Playoffs: Kings Continue Unlikely Run to the Championship

Source: Bleacher Report

I keep hearing that the Stanley Cup playoffs are the most volatile of all sports, that there are always upsets, that anything can happen. 

But not like this.

The Kings are an astonishing 11-1 in their first 12 playoff games this season, breezing to a 4-1 series victory over Vancouver, a sweep of St. Louis, and now a 3-0 lead over division rival Phoenix.That 12th win, whether it comes on Sunday, or sometime next week, will propel the Kings into the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1992 (which, incidentally, is the only time they have ever been).

It's almost like it's too easy. A regular season team with more inconsistency than the New Orleans Saints payroll is suddenly playing like a perennial powerhouse.

They have scored 37 goals in 12 games, notching a goal per game average just over 3, blowing their regular season mark of 2.29 out of the water.

The only two teams in the playoffs with higher goal per game numbers are the Penguins and Flyers, only because they played in a head to head series where defensemen weren't allowed to carry sticks. You may notice that neither of them are still around.

As for defense, an area in which the Kings excelled during the regular season (2.07 goals allowed per game), they have also shown complete dominance.

That number has shrunk to a mind-boggling 1.42 goals allowed per game, only 17 scores in 12 contests. Superstar goaltender Jonathan Quick has only allowed 3 goals in a game once, to Vancouver the game Daniel Sedin returned from a concussion. Also the Kings' only loss of the postseason. Quick has held the opposition to one or zero goals six time thus far.

So to summarize, the Kings are leading the playoffs in both offense and defense. 

It is rather overwhelming when you try to wrap your head around it. There isn't really a steadfast reason for their postseason explosion. You can cite "The Hot Goalie Theory," which says that a goalie peaking at the right time is the only thing that matters in the playoffs. But Jonathan Quick isn't the one scoring goals.

Anze Kopitar, my favorite King since day one, is a wizard with the puck and has the ability to find any corner of the net he pleases. Dustin Brown has been everywhere, highly influential for his uncanny ability to draw penalties from opposing players. Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi have played smart, hard-nosed defense. 

But it's not just the first line starters, every single King that gets on the ice is outworking the opposition. Rookie Dwight King has put in 5 goals this postseason, 4 in the last 3 games. Jeff Carter, who was brought in mid-season to invigorate the lackluster offense, notched a hat trick in game two against the Coyotes. Even Pizza Hut spokesman Dustin Penner has been sighted outracing defenders to loose pucks. 

The only explanation I can come up with is a massive upswing in confidence. It borders on irrational confidence really.

The Kings are not the most talented team in the world. They really don't even have a big-name player on offense.

There is no reason for them to be this confident. There is no reason for me to be this confident.

No game seems out of hand. No opponent seems unbeatable. Not anymore. I sit down to watch, and I am sure the Kings are going to win.There is never a time when I consider the alternative.

Not when they give up the first goal. Not when they trail into the 3rd period. Not even when Quick allows a shot to dribble right through his legs. These are just minor speed bumps on the road. A road that extends far into the distance and disappears below the horizon. 

Just like Penner, the Kings are hungry. Really, really hungry.

They have been devouring unsuspecting opponents and supposedly all-star goalies. It started as a 25/1 longshot, we were just happy to be there. Happy we didn't choke away our hold on the 8 seed. But now it's a 7/5 favorite, coming around the final turn, leading the field by 10 lengths. 

I don't know if someone will catch them, the Rangers or Devils might. But I do know, at this point, everyone else is chasing. 

Read more Los Angeles Kings news on BleacherReport.com

Los Angeles Kings Are Flying High, While Trying To Keep Their Skates Planted Firmly On The Ice

Source: Frozen Royalty by Gann Matsuda

EL SEGUNDO, CA — It’s so close, they can almost touch it. But just the same, they would rather keep it at a distance, at least until they earn the right to talk about it openly. “It” is the Stanley Cup, the most revered and coveted trophy in professional team sports, and with a win [...]

Kings chasing history heading into Game 4 vs. Coyotes

Source: ESPN Los Angeles

Western Conference final Game 4 (Kings lead series, 3-0) Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes at Staples Center, noon Five storylines to track: 1. Record pace – This isn’t just an L.A. thing anymore. The Kings have gone international. Not just because the world-class Amgen Tour of Southern California bike race will come skidding to a halt outside Staples Center as hockey fans are pouring in, but because no one has seen anything like the playoff run the King have strung together.

NHL Playoffs 2012: Would a Sweep Really Serve the Kings' Best Interest?

Source: Bleacher Report

Imagine the Los Angeles Kings polish off the Phoenix Coyotes and get it over with in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday. Now imagine it takes a full week longer for the Eastern Conference finals to wrap up as the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils push one another to Game 7.

Of all the possibilities for the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, that combination of events is one of the most realistic. For the Kings, this would mean an improbable 12-1 romp through the conference portion of the dance, followed by roughly 10 or 11 days before the final series commences.

For the opposition, it would mean either three or four days of rest, refocusing and turning the page for either a Rangers team coming off the maximum 21 games or a Devils team with 19 games already on its log.

Advantage Los Angeles? Not necessarily.

The notion that a disproportionately protracted layoff between playoff rounds comes back to drop the other skate on a previously dominant team probably gets more credit than it deserves. With that said, it does have some credibility based on historical evidence, both in hockey and in other sports.

The NBA has at least two pieces of evidence that favors the other side of this debate. In 2001, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers waited 10 days after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs to start clashing with the Philadelphia 76ers, who were three days removed from a Game 7 triumph over Milwaukee. The Lakers defended their crown in five games.

The same held true for the 1996 Chicago Bulls, who were not rusty in the least when they topped the Seattle Supersonics.

But in five of the last seven times any North American major sports championship had one finalist coming off a seven-game victory and the other a sweep, fresher momentum has prevailed over fresher legs.

Leading up to the 2007 World Series, the Cinderella Colorado Rockies went 7-0 in the NLDS and NLCS, clinching their pennant six days before the opposing Boston Red Sox clinched theirs.

The Rockies ultimately needed to wait nine days between their pennant-clincher against Arizona and the World Series opener, whereas the Sox had a three-day layoff. Boston would sweep Colorado.

The same scenario occurred a year prior, when the Detroit Tigers swept the Oakland Athletics for the American League pennant while the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals prevailed only after the New York Mets pushed them to the limit. In the battle for the major league title, St. Louis was victorious against Detroit, four games to one.

Before that, in 1988, the Athletics swept their way to the AL pennant while the Los Angeles Dodgers went to seven games in the NLCS. Again, the eventual world champion was the team that had more work in the preceding round.

In 1998, the NBA’s Utah Jazz swept the Lakers and waited for the Bulls to take down Indiana in Game 7. Chicago won the league title in six games.

The last time a Stanley Cup tournament saw one conference final end in a sweep and another in seven games―and the only time it has ever happened in the four-round playoff era―was in 2003.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim forged a run to the Cup final not unlike the one their regional rivals are producing this season, sweeping the Minnesota Wild to improve to 12-2.

The Ducks clinched the Campbell Bowl on May 16 of that year. Seven nights later, the Devils vanquished the Senators in Ottawa.

When the Ducks and Devils converged in East Rutherford for Game 1 of their final series, it had been 11 nights since Anaheim’s previous extramural engagement. New Jersey would win each of the first two games, 3-0, and ultimately claimed the Cup in a seven-game bout that saw the home team win every installment.

If this year’s Kings act like the Ducks of the past and the current edition of the Devils act like its 2003 predecessor, it would not be a stretch to bank on the same basic result.

With the Rangers, there would be more room for doubt, although their pack-it-in approach could sufficiently stifle the L.A. strike force without expending too much energy to get the better of Jonathan Quick.

For their own sake, the Kings most naturally would prefer to abolish the Coyotes at the earliest possible chance. But they must to be mindful that the potential 10- or 11-day interlude between games will be a challenge upgrade from the six- and seven-day breaks that separated the first and second and second and third rounds.

If it does eliminate Phoenix in Game 4 this Sunday, Los Angeles will need to formulate its own preparation kit to stave off fatal frostbite in the final.

Read more Los Angeles Kings news on BleacherReport.com