Kings Need to Win…and Do!!

Jack Johnsom/Flickr

As the Kings prepare for a huge contest at Detroit, where the Red Wings trail the Kings by just one point in the Western Conference standings, controversy swirls among the LA ranks. For those of you who may not have heard; Kings GM Dean Lombardi made some disparaging remarks about the University of Michigan hockey program, led by legendary coach Red Berenson. Lombardi was quoted as referring to the Wolverines’ program as being the “worst” as it relates to player development. He also said that Kings’ defenseman Jack Johnson was “awful as a hockey player.” Of course, Johnson attended Michigan and played for Berenson.

Naturally, Johnson wasn’t in agreement with his GM about the Wolverine hockey program. In fact, he characterized Lombardi’s remarks as “irresponsible and unprofessional,” in an interview with Helene Elliot on the LA Times website. Johnson had more to say on the subject so in the interest of full disclosure, here is the link to the post in its entirety:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/01/dean-lombardi-jack-johnson-kings-michigan-hockey-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LAT_Sports_Blog+%28The+Fabulous+Forum%29

Ah, this is exactly the last thing that the squad needs as it heads into what is shaping up to be a large game as the Kings fight for their playoff lives. After spending much of the season on the outside looking in, the Wings have jumped past the Flames and into the 8^th spot in the West. They are now just 1 point behind the 7^th place Kings.

The Wings have played much better of late and will soon welcome back injured veterans Jason Williams, Niklas Kronwall and Tomas Holmstrom to the lineup. With the quality of talent and their level of experience, the Wings are rapidly turning into the most dangerous team in the West.

The Flames have suffered through a 2 – 7 – 1 mark in their last 10 contests and have been passed by not only the Wings but the Predators, the Canucks and the Kings and are currently out of the top 8 spots in the West. But even though they have struggled of late, the Flames have a lot of talent led by Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Jay Bouwmeester and Olli Jokinen. They also have the benefit of being led by well-respected coach Brent Sutter. They will not go quietly into the night.

The Kings need to play well in order to better solidify their playoff standing. Anze Kopitar, who started off so hot, is one guy that needs to step his game up. The Kings need his skill and production.

This is another reason why Lombardi added Ryan Smyth and Rob Scuderi this past offseason. They have both been through the tough playoff battles and know what it takes to not only get in but to go deep while there. They will need to show the way to the young Kings like Drew Doughty and Kopitar.

Another person that will be counted on heavily is head coach Terry Murray. Murray has also been through the playoff races in years past and his steady hand could prove to be a valuable influence on the young squad.

But it all starts tonight. A win in regulation by the Kings will buy them some separation in the standings. It is imperative that the team put all of the drama behind them and play as a cohesive unit tonight. If they don’t the veteran Wings will teach the upstart kids a lesson.

*Note: The Kings won tonight and it was a big victory. I meant to publish this earlier but experienced technical difficulty. I will comment further on this key win.