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5 Resolutions For The Los Angeles Kings

By Jeff Henning

Dec 31, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) celebrate win with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Los Angeles Kings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) celebrate win with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Los Angeles Kings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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2015 was not a kind year for the Los Angeles Kings. A sluggish start in 2014 caused them to miss the playoffs and there were plenty of signs that this team was headed towards a complete breakdown after a turbulent offseason of negative spotlight to key Kings players. When the Kings started the 2015-2016 regular season with an 0-3-0 record, the noise once again began to boil over. However, since that time, the Kings have dominated in all facets of the sport, from the offensive zone to their own defensive end. At the start of 2016, they sit atop the Pacific Division with a healthy lead and are once again looking like true Stanley Cup contenders. As 2016 gets underway, there are 5 resolutions the Kings must follow for continued success well into the new year.

January 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) moves the puck against the defense of New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) moves the puck against the defense of New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

#5: Stay out of the negative spotlight
For the most part 2015 was a year the Kings would like to forget. Not only did they fail to make the playoffs, it seemed that every time fans turned around, another Kings player was in the negative spotlight. From Slava Voynov to Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll, these guys kept the conversation off the ice and instead in the court room. Luckily, these off-ice situations had little to no impact on the 2015-2016 version of the Kings as they’ve dominated in the early portion of the season.

Dec 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli (73) stretches during the warmup period before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli (73) stretches during the warmup period before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

#4: Don’t let complacency creep in
Like I said, the Kings have excelled so far in the regular season. With 50 points through 37 games played, the Kings are far and above the best team in the Pacific Division. Make no mistake though, the Kings can ill afford to take their foot of the gas. Sluggish play in the beginning of the 2014-2015 season cost the Kings a chance at the playoffs and thats a sour taste the Kings carried with them all offseason. The team has looked every bit the contender fans have come to expect, and there’s no reason to complacency slip into their game.

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Dec 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) plays the puck from behind his own net against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Kings 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) plays the puck from behind his own net against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Kings 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

#3: Continue dominating of defense

Aside from the Washington Capitals, no one has allowed fewer goals than the Kings. With a combination of airtight defense, led by Drew Doughty, and backstopped by Vezina candidate Jonathan Quick, it has been nearly impossible for the opposition to maintain success in the Kings defensive end. This continued focus on the defensive end should give the Kings a big edge when it comes to playoff hockey.

Dec 31, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

#2: For the love of god, sign Anze Kopitar
Of all the good things the Kings have done this year, there is still one issue that they must resolve, and as soon as possible in my opinion. Im speaking of course, of resigning upcoming UFA Anze Kopitar. Kopitar has been the catalyst and offensive backbone for this team for as long as he’s been in Los Angeles. He’s an elite two-way forward and there’s no doubt that the Kings wouldn’t have been able to reach the top of the moontain in 2012 or 2014 without the services of Kopitar. If the Kings are to continue being serious contenders, Kopitar must be resigned.

Next: Jonathan Quick Adding To His Legacy

Dec 31, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) guards his net as Calgary Flames left wing Micheal Ferland (79) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort (7) battle for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) guards his net as Calgary Flames left wing Micheal Ferland (79) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort (7) battle for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

#1: Lean on Jonathan Quick
As I’ve said previously in this article and maybe 100 other times before that, the key to the Kings success has come as a result of the play of Jonathan Quick. So far this season, Quick has been a menace to opposing offenses, posting a 2.16 GAA and a .922SV%, which has resulted in a 21-9-1 record overall. If the Kings continue to dominate like they have in the early half of the regular season, Quick will not only be up for the Vezina Trophy, but he may even slip into the conversation for the Hart Trophy.

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