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Kings Sweep Through Eastern Canada and Break a Few Records to Boot

December 15, 2013, 12:58 PM ET [8 Comments]
Jason Lewis
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
So If Eastern Canada isn't ready to secede and declare war on California after that trip through the region by the Los Angeles Kings than I applaud their constraint.

The Kings came away from a three game swing against Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa with a 3-0-0 record and a collective score of 14-3. They finish up the four game road trip today with a stop against the league's top team in the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Kings big boys have certainly come to play on this trip, which for many was a trip back to their home regions.

Mike Richards, who played his junior hockey about an hour outside of Toronto in Kitchener, had four assists in three games. Tyler Toffoli who was born and raised in the greater Toronto suburb of Scarborough and was captain of the Ottawa 67's in his junior career had a goal and two assists. Finally, a two hour trip outside of Toronto would land you in London, the hometown of the Norris hopeful Drew Doughty who had a two point, plus-six rated trip through Ontario and Quebec.

That's the case though with Hockey, Ontario and Quebec are the birthplace of Hockey in North America and there are tons of ties to the area. As Pat Quinn once mused it is unfortunate for the Maple Leafs because so many opposing teams come into town with players from the area on the team. They always want to play well in front of friends and family. The Kings certainly got great performances from many of their Ontario representatives (10 in total).

Aside from it being a homecoming for many the Kings bulked up and broke a few NHL and franchise records.

At 22-7-4, the LA Kings are off to their best start in history and have become the quickest team to 22 wins in franchise history. They are 12-3-2 on the road which is the best road record that the team has had in history through their first 17 games. The team is also currently riding a season high six game win streak, and are 8-0-2 in their last 10 road games. That is the second longest road point streak the team has ever had.

They've broken an NHL record by not allowing a first period goal in 18 straight games. They have also allowed two goals or less in 18 straight games, which is a club record.

On a more personal achievement level, Drew Doughty may be having his best stretch of games this season right now. He is averaging around 25-26 minutes a night and as mentioned prior has a goal, an assist, and a plus-five rating on the trip.

Martin Jones, of course, has started a perfect 5-0-0. One more win and that will match him with Anaheim's Frederik Andersen who started his career 6-0 before losing to Florida. Jones is still holding a goals against under 1, at 0.99, and a save percentage over .950 with a .967.

Dwight King, after a six-game pointless streak and a 10-game goal-less drought, broke out on Saturday afternoon with a goal and two assists. That gives King eight on the season, and he is on pace for career numbers with a potential 20-goal and 35-40 point season.

Kopitar had two against Ottawa Saturday and tied up Justin Williams for the team lead in goals. The Slovenian looks to be on pace for his career average with between 75-82 points.

Jeff Carter, who notoriously scores in bunches, had just three goals in his previous 17 games. However, he has goals in back to back games now which is something he hasn't done since the first two games of the season.

Outside of the realm of statistical things, it really looks like the lines are back to a consistent and familiar area. The King-Kopitar-Carter line put on a display against Ottawa, completely dominating the Senators defense with possession and an aggressive forecheck. You could see the effect the size and pace of the line could have when you look at Cody Ceci of the Senators. The rookie defenseman had an extreme amount of trouble in his own zone with turnovers when the big King forwards hounded him in the corners.

While the line of Brown-Stoll-Williams isn't getting the production you would hope, they are cut of the same mold as the top line. They are aggressive and hard to play against. If you aren't scoring that is all you can ask for. It is a greasy line and they will get their goals.

And Mike Richards, to me at least, is having a career year. Paired up with Tyler Toffoli and Kyle Clifford on the third line seems like a recipe for frustration, but instead we are seeing a blossoming relationship between Toffoli and Richards. The two seem to have a natural bit of chemistry together that is eerily reminiscent of the chemistry Carter and Richards have. Clifford on the other side is the perfect crash and bang puck retriever the line needs.

All this is great stuff, but it is Sutter after all so the lines will probably change in two games anyways.

The trip rolls on today into Chicago for what might be the teams' biggest test of the season. The defending cup champs, at home, on the back of a thrashing in Toronto. It has all the makings of a tough one.

There have been a number of things to be impressed with over the course of the last ten games or so. What have been the most impressive things for you?

What has impressed you most?
  
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Also an outside contender for impressive things this season...let's toss in the contribution to HBO's 24/7 by Slava Voynov:

(WARNING: PROFANITY)



Oh. And I agree with the Thornton suspension *Finds a rock to hide under*

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