yave1964 Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 PRESEASON EXPECTATIONSHopes were high after winning a cup two seasons previous and losing the conference finals the previous season the Hawks. The Kings counted themselves among the league elite. FINAL RECORD46-28-8 100 points third in the Pacific division. STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR Alec Martinez became the first player ever to finish two consecutive series with overtime goals, first against the Hawks and then against the Rangers. Justin Williams home/road point total 30/13 was very wide. Dustin Brown had 11 goals at home in 39 games and an anemic 4 goals in 40 games on the road. HIGH POINT OF THE YEARThe beautifully played series against the Hawks, showing what the game of Hockey is all about which ended with an overtime winner in game 7. I know they went on to win the cup against the Rangers, and in spite of the Rangers putting up a valiant fight, but the winner of the Hawks/Kings getting crowned as champ was a foregone conclusion. LOW POINT OF THE SEASONWhen Patrick Marleau scored an overtime winner in game three of the opening round series putting the Kings in a 3-0 hole, and combined with a sloppy finish to the regular season they had lost 7 out of 8. The players said all of the right things but it looked as if the season was over and it was time to schedule tee time. WHAT WENT RIGHTAnze Kopitar (29-41-70) continued to excel as the king of the Kings offense. Marian Gaborik, who came over from the Jackets at the deadline channeled his inner Butch Goring leading all postseason scorers with 14 goals. Jeff Carter had 27 goals and was a postseason stud. The foursome of Doughty (10-27-37) Voynov (4-30-34) Muzzin (5-19-24) and Martinez (11-11-22) proved they are the best bunch of young blueliners in the game bar none. Tyler Toffoli showed flashes of serious potential with 12 goals, 6th on the team in spite of being 11th among all forwards in ice time. Justin Williams won the Smythe award with a huge postseason. Jonathan Quick proved once again that when you talk money goaltenders that you either need to start with him or he has to be on the short list. And Martin Jones was an absolute find, forcing a mid season trade of Ben Scrivens. WHAT WENT WRONGAt times they seemed to sleepwalk through the regular season. Dustin Brown, the captain, seems to have lost a step. Mike Richards (11-30-41) set himself up as a potential buyout candidate. Jordan Nolan took a step back. The offseason deal of Bernier to the Leafs for Scrivens and Frattin did not work out. Colin Fraser and Matt Greene could not stay healthy and did not do much when they were in the lineup. MVPKopitar. He led the team in pretty much every offensive category. He was truly a force all year long. I considered Doughty but Kopitar was simply the best player on the Kings. UFAsGaborik- possibly the one player who moved his stock the highest this offseason.GreeneWillie Mitchell OFFSEASON QUESTION MARKS Do you buy out Richards, and if so can you bring back Gaborik who seems such a perfect fit? Beyond that, there are few question marks with this young and ultra talented team. If they win again next year for their 3rd in 4 years they are a modern dynasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Cup won - mission accomplished! (They couldn't have done it without Colts Clifford and Pearson) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 (edited) Cup won - mission accomplished! (They couldn't have done it without Colts Cifford and Pearson) And they were both drafted into the fold not bought, along with half their blueline.......funny what a draft can do for a team....oh yeah you have to hold onto them too. Edit: Oh lets not forget their goaltender a 3rd rounder gem!!!!!! Edited June 16, 2014 by OccamsRazor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyS Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 It's like the Lakers teams in the late 90's/early 2000's - they are simply built for the playoffs. They don't care about having the best regular season record, just making the playoffs and then turning on the afterburners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Another interesting note, Alex Martinez became the first player ever to score in OT to win a series. He got the game 7 series winner against the Hawks in OT, and repeated the process with a Cup winning goal against the Rangers. Pretty cool stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyS Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Another interesting note, Alex Martinez became the first player ever to score in OT to win a series. He got the game 7 series winner against the Hawks in OT, and repeated the process with a Cup winning goal against the Rangers. Pretty cool stuff. Wasn't the Cup-winning goal for the Stars over the Sabres in OT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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