The Kings took the lead on a smart give-and-go play with Wayne Simmonds and Michal Handzus, 2:41 into the second period. Simmonds carried the puck up the right side, dropped the puck for Handzus, went to the net, took the pass and tucked the puck past Huet for a 1-0 Kings lead.

Both teams played smart, tight first periods, with one one shot on goal recorded (by the Kings) in the game’s first five minutes. The Kings had the best chance of the period, on a short breakaway by Anze Kopitar, but former Kings goalie Cristobal Huet made the save for Chicago. The teams traded offensive chances [...]

Teddy Purcell and Matt Moulson have little in common, but could the thought of the latter be impacting the former? Moulson had six goals in 29 games with the Kings, over two seasons — including a stint as a first-line winger at the start of last season — before he signed with the New York [...]

If you’re just getting in — from post-Thanksgiving shopping, perhaps? — and need an update and a preview of tonight’s game, here’s my story from LAKings.com Stoll to return tonight

Jack Johnson’s ice time had dipped a bit in November, but Johnson played 26 minutes, 57 seconds on Wednesday in Edmonton. Then, the next night, he played a season-high 28:21 at Vancouver. Murray described the bump in ice time as, quite simply, an indication of his satisfaction with Johnson’s play of late… MURRAY: “He’s getting [...]

As previously posted, Alexander Frolov returns to the first line tonight, in place of Teddy Purcell. After Ryan Smyth suffered his upper-body injury, Frolov had one goal in two games on that line before he moved down to partner with rookies Andrei Loktionov and Brayden Schenn over the next two games. Purcell stepped up to [...]

Ryan Smyth will skate on Monday morning for the first time since suffering his upper-body injury, Terry Murray said after today’s morning skate. Smyth, based on the initial four-week estimate, might be able to return on or around Dec. 14, when the Kings play at Vancouver. The Kings also play Dec. 15 at Edmonton and [...]

Jarret Stoll is back in the lineup tonight, recovered from what he revealed to be a groin strain, but Rob Scuderi is described as doubtful for the game. The Kings’ forwards are expected to skate as follows: Frolov-Kopitar-Williams Purcell-Stoll-Brown Parse-Handzus-Simmonds Four players are still in contention on the fourth line, but there’s no indication of [...]

Secondary scoring is important, yes, as is goaltending, defense and special teams, but it’s no secret that what fueled the Kings’ strong start this season was the top line, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that what fueled the top line was the play of Ryan Smyth. In the four games that Smyth went down with [...]

Last night’s game featured perhaps the best goaltending, combined, I have seen all season. It’s not a stretch to say that Jonathan Quick had his best game of the season, and Roberto Luongo, as he usually does, just showed tremendous calm and patience. Watching him, Luongo gives you the feeling that you’re going to have [...]

Something quick on one of our favorite topics…the world of Alexander Frolov. After last night’s game, a Vancouver reporter (somewhat randomly) asked Terry Murray if he was concerned about Frolov’s lack of production. I say “somewhat randomly” because he just as easily could have been asked about Kopitar, Brown, Williams, etc. Anyway, here’s what Murray [...]

I’ll have a couple things later today, but first, please check out my weekly feature, this one on Kings’ players prospects for making the Olympics. Who do you think will end up making the team? Vancouver bound?

Here’s the Kings-Canucks game story, with video, stats, etc. Thanks for reading — in the morning, anyway. The Kings will not practice tomorrow… Canucks beat Kings 4-1

Anze Kopitar’s postgame thoughts… (on the faceoff struggles…) KOPITAR: “Faceoffs are really important, especially on the special teams. They’re definitely huge. The percentage wasn’t good for us. They’re a good team, but it’s one thing to win it clean, but the other thing is just to battle hard and be there for each other.” (on [...]

Terry Murray’s postgame thoughts… (on what cost the Kings the most…) MURRAY: “Faceoffs. Two faceoff goals against. I felt we managed the puck a little carelessly as we went through the middle of the ice. Just not making hard plays and making them go back every time. They’re in good position structurally, they’re in great [...]

In case there was any question, Dean Lombardi said Brayden Schenn will not be joining the Kings in Los Angeles and will be returning to his junior team. Schenn is not under contract and it seems as though the Kings aren’t ready to sign him yet.

Kyle Wellwood scored into an empty net with 5.3 seconds left to cap the scoring. Poor performances in the faceoff circle and on the power play didn’t help the Kings. More from the locker room ASAP…

A wrist shot from the slot got deflected in front, and while Quick scrambled to try to cover the puck, the Canucks crashed the net and Kyle Wellwood knocked in the rebound at the 7:18 mark.

The Canucks took the lead back with another goal almost directly off a faceoff. Alex Edler took a point shot, and Henrik Sedin pounced on the rebound and put it past Quick 3:54 into the third period, after Quick had come far off his line to challenge the slap shot.

It’s Wayne Simmonds in the right place at the right time, as he picked up a deflected puck to the right of the net and roofed it past Roberto Luongo with 43 seconds remaining in the second period.