The Fifth Liners

"The LA Kings offence ranked 26th overall at the end of the regular season. How did the team turn it around to become the highest scoring in the playoffs so far?" Very interesting question here, because LA this season has been one of the real surprise packages in playoff time. So far they hold a 1-0 series win in the final over the Rangers and you would have to back them to go all the way after the impressive form they have displayed. During regular season there was nothing really special about this team. After being 3-0 down in the series against San Jose, many assumed they were done for- but their fight back was a joy to behold and this team has pulled together and the best time and their spirit has soared as a result!  If you cast your mind back to their first Stanley Cup win back in 2012, it was a similar story to this one. That season the Kings just sneaked into 8th place by having fewer losses than Calgary, here no one game them a fighting chance. But multiple up...

So far in this Western Conference Final, LA Kings players such as Anze Kopitar, Marion Gaborik and Jeff Carter have been gaining deserved plaudits for their excellent work. But there is one man who seems to be missing off that list and that is defenseman Jake Muzzin because so far this play-offs, the 25 year old from Woodstock, Ontario has come alive. Only drafted 141st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007, but signing a three year entry level contract with LA, Muzzin spent much of his time playing for their minor league affiliate the Manchester Monarchs in the AHL, but last season he was called to full duty for the Kings and impressed many as a result with some excellent displays. This season however has been no exception with Muzzin putting up 24 points in regular season alone and has become one of their key men in the play-offs and so far has chalked up 11 points, and this accurately reflects his superb work rate and he has caused numerous headaches for the defending cha...

This season's Stanley Cup playoffs have been one of the best and most unpredictable of years gone by, the Boston Bruins; almost everyone's favourite for the cup have been dumped out by the Habs. The Rangers, riding high under the stewardship of Alain Vigneault have put out the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last night also saw another sting in the tail, as the LA Kings put an end to an impressive Anaheim Ducks with a 6-2 win at the Honda Center! We've now arrived at the conference finals. During the regular season you never would have predicted these line ups. But who will triumph here? Western Conference Chicago Blackhawks v LA Kings The Blackhawks have done well to salvage some pride after an indifferent regular season and players such as Jonathan Toews, Marion Hossa and Brent Seabrook have impressed during this time. I have no doubts they will fight to the bitter end to bring the cup by to Illinois for a second year running. They are not as dominant as last season, but th...

A brilliant hat-trick from Patrick Kane sealed the Chicago Blackhawks place in the Stanley Cup final against the Boston Bruins with a pulsating 4-3 overtime win over the LA Kings at the United Center last night! After a season which has seem them win many admirers, the Hawks’ superb forward line will get to compete for the ultimate prize!  The Hawks took control in the first period with defenseman Duncan Keith ’s slap shot putting them in front and the lead was quickly doubled when Kane pushed them further ahead, all around the home fans were already getting into party mood!  But the second period would dampen the festive spirit as Dwight King ’s shorthanded goal for LA cut the lead to 2-1 and suddenly it looked like the Kings weren’t keen to have their crown stolen away just yet! After three minutes of the third period, Anze Kopitar scored his first of the series to tie the game and end his barren spell of six scoreless games!  Faith was restored in t...

It's been a busy week, what with the Champion's League final, the Go Karts in Monaco and Daft Punk releasing their new album. Anyway back to hockey. Things are sewn up in the east now, the Penguins will beat  play Boston in the Eastern Conference Final. In the west however, it's a different story with Detroit and LA still fighting it out, touch wood Detroit will make the most of the home ice advantage and win the series. San Jose on the other hand are the little train that never gave up. Despite the Kings dominating game five and shutting out the Sharks, Coach Todd McLellan must have slipped some kangaroo juice into his players' Gatorade cos last night they bounced right back*. I've heard of rushing the goal, but the Kings' initial strategy seemed to be 'rush the penalty box'. Kyle Clifford, Mike Richards and Anze Kopitar all made visits to the box in the first five minutes of play. Presumably Darryl Sutter will rethink this strategy as it al...