Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 6:00:07 GMT
Thanks to a red-hot finish, the Los Angeles Kings have captured the President's Trophy for the 2014-15 season.
The Kings won 16 of their final 19 regular season games to finish first overall with a record of 57-20-5, good for 119 points. LA took full advantage of an easy schedule in the final week, beating Vancouver twice and Phoenix once to secure first place before their final game, a shootout loss to Edmonton.
"What mattered most to us was finishing first in the West, and we wrapped that up 10 days ago," said GM Josh Lewis. "However, it's a nice feather in the cap for the organization, and an affirmation that we have a team that can win a Cup."
Indeed, the Kings enter the playoffs as the favourites to come out of the West, and perhaps the favourites for the Cup after their torrid late-season play and key additions at the trade deadline. They will play the Calgary Flames, who finished 29 points behind, in the first round.
However, they will have to do it without one of their most important players. Right winger Dustin Brown will likely miss the entire post-season after suffering a knee injury on April 3 against the Coyotes.
Brown may be able to return during the Cup final, if the Kings make it that far.
"It's a huge loss for us," said Lewis. "Defence wins championships in this league and Brown is by far our best defensive forward. It's going to be more of a challenge without him, that's for sure. Thankfully we acquired Shawn Matthias at the deadline."
Matthias is expected to slot into the top six to replace Brown, with Trevor Lewis drawing into the lineup. Lewis only got into 24 games this season, but had 10 points.
The Kings didn't have anyone in the league's top 30 scorers, but their balanced attack includes four players with 60+ points, and another in Tyler Toffoli who racked up 27 goals and 55 points in just 60 games.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Quick had the league's best save percentage among starters at .910, and his 2.05 GAA was second among starters.
Here's a look at the matchup between the Kings and Flames:
Record:
LA: 57-20-5, 119 points
CGY: 41-33-8, 90 points
Top scorers:
LA: Kopitar, 68; van Riemsdyk, 65; Gaborik, 63; Carter, 61; Brown, 56
CGY: Setoguchi, 69; Gaudreau, 61; Granlund, 60; Monahan, 57; Hudler, 50
Other key players:
LA: Toffoli, Doughty, Kronwall
CGY: Brodie, Jones, Backlund
Starting goalie:
LA: Quick, .910 SP, 2.05 GAA
CGY: Ramo, .871 SP, 3.02 GAA
Injuries:
LA: Brown, two months; Ekholm, two weeks
CGY: None
Synopsis:
The Kings have the edge at forward, defence and goal. The Flames have a few strong players, but not much depth compared to the LA squad. Their blueline is especially lacking. To have a chance, their top players will have to carry the load. Ramo has been the starter down the stretch, but if he struggles, a switch to youngster Joni Ortio may be in order.
Prediction:
Kings in 5
The Kings won 16 of their final 19 regular season games to finish first overall with a record of 57-20-5, good for 119 points. LA took full advantage of an easy schedule in the final week, beating Vancouver twice and Phoenix once to secure first place before their final game, a shootout loss to Edmonton.
"What mattered most to us was finishing first in the West, and we wrapped that up 10 days ago," said GM Josh Lewis. "However, it's a nice feather in the cap for the organization, and an affirmation that we have a team that can win a Cup."
Indeed, the Kings enter the playoffs as the favourites to come out of the West, and perhaps the favourites for the Cup after their torrid late-season play and key additions at the trade deadline. They will play the Calgary Flames, who finished 29 points behind, in the first round.
However, they will have to do it without one of their most important players. Right winger Dustin Brown will likely miss the entire post-season after suffering a knee injury on April 3 against the Coyotes.
Brown may be able to return during the Cup final, if the Kings make it that far.
"It's a huge loss for us," said Lewis. "Defence wins championships in this league and Brown is by far our best defensive forward. It's going to be more of a challenge without him, that's for sure. Thankfully we acquired Shawn Matthias at the deadline."
Matthias is expected to slot into the top six to replace Brown, with Trevor Lewis drawing into the lineup. Lewis only got into 24 games this season, but had 10 points.
The Kings didn't have anyone in the league's top 30 scorers, but their balanced attack includes four players with 60+ points, and another in Tyler Toffoli who racked up 27 goals and 55 points in just 60 games.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Quick had the league's best save percentage among starters at .910, and his 2.05 GAA was second among starters.
Here's a look at the matchup between the Kings and Flames:
Record:
LA: 57-20-5, 119 points
CGY: 41-33-8, 90 points
Top scorers:
LA: Kopitar, 68; van Riemsdyk, 65; Gaborik, 63; Carter, 61; Brown, 56
CGY: Setoguchi, 69; Gaudreau, 61; Granlund, 60; Monahan, 57; Hudler, 50
Other key players:
LA: Toffoli, Doughty, Kronwall
CGY: Brodie, Jones, Backlund
Starting goalie:
LA: Quick, .910 SP, 2.05 GAA
CGY: Ramo, .871 SP, 3.02 GAA
Injuries:
LA: Brown, two months; Ekholm, two weeks
CGY: None
Synopsis:
The Kings have the edge at forward, defence and goal. The Flames have a few strong players, but not much depth compared to the LA squad. Their blueline is especially lacking. To have a chance, their top players will have to carry the load. Ramo has been the starter down the stretch, but if he struggles, a switch to youngster Joni Ortio may be in order.
Prediction:
Kings in 5
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 