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...

In a slightly surprising move, Minnesota Wild centre Zach Parise has been named as captain of the US Olympic Hockey for the upcoming Sochi 2014 games! Dustin Brown and Ryan Suter have been named as Alternates for the team. Have to say I was expecting someone with more leadership experience to lead side for the games and part of me feels that Brown might have been a more steady candidate seeing as in 2012 he led the LA Kings to the first ever Stanley Cup. Parise to be fair has previously been captain of the New Jersey Devils before his move to St Paul but he only has the 2011-12 season under his belt and his selection over more experienced candidates David Backes and Ryan Callahan does beg a few questions? Though Parise was an alternate at NJ before his promotion and currently serves as one at Minnesota so I suppose that aids his case slightly, but many will frown up this selection. Parise is a great talent, there is no question of that but I have say I do not feel he is ready...

Los Angeles Kings Captain Dustin Brown will seemingly spend the remainder of his career with the franchise after penning an 8 year deal today which will see him through to the end of the 2021-22 season, financial details of the signing havent been released. Brown has become a vital figure for LA since being drafted 13th overall in 2003 and so far in his career has gained an impressive points total of 181 goals and 388 points in 641 games as well as 31 points in 50 playoff games. He was made team captain in 2008 and led the Kings to their first ever Stanley Cup win in 2012 after a 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils and in doing so became only the second born American captain to hoist the cup. Kings fans will be delighted to hear this news and we can expect Browns #23 jersey to be raised to the rafters some point in the future- as you were Dustin!

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...

The news about Raffi Torres' suspension has almost eclipsed the fact that there was a thriller of a game last night. The Sharks made their second trip to LA in the series and although a game down, gave a damn good account of themselves. Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty put the Kings 2-0 up, only for Patrick Marleau and Brad Stuart to cancel out the Kings' lead.  Marc-Edouard Vlasic gave the Sharks the edge halfway through the third period but struggled with penalties. Dustin Brown scored with less than two minutes left to draw equal and 22 seconds later, Trevor Lewis netted the winner for LA.

It looks like the Minnesota Wild may be thrown a lifeline soon. Winger Jason Pominville is back skating with the team although he is still 'day to day'. Pominville has been out since he caught the wrong end of  Dustin Brown 's Elbow  in the regular season.  The Canadian his contributed 14 goals and 20 assists this year and the Wild could certainly use him back. 

The St. Louis Blues are determined to ruin my predictions.  The Blues are now 2-0 up in the series against the current cup holders the LA Kings . Although Dustin Brown gave the Kings an early lead, goals by Patrik Berglund and Barrett Jackman in the third gave the Blues the win. Full story  here.