Eight days off (opponets played games in-hand and accumulated points), a four game Kings loosing streak (bummer), now a two game win streak (hallelujah). This team continues to confront adversity and hold it all together. I really like this LA Kings team.

One contributor noted, about a week ago, “..the first ten games of 2010 would be a tough test for a young Kings team”. I agreed completly.

One game played, so far so good. Tomorrows test, San Jose. Its great to have JS back on the ice.

Go Kings go!!

I actually thought about Segal on Kopitar’s line because of his size, but that is a ruff assignment for someone just called up.

Ah well, we got options at least now that we have so many of our guys back healthy.

Lets end the Brown on the first line failed experiment. Stoll shoots right, decent size and very smart.

This leaves the 2nd and 3rd lines that have been playing so well together and vastly improves our 4th line. Also have Stoll take the face offs on the Kopitar line giving us a higher percentage of puck control post face offs with our first line.

I actually think Purcell will do good with Richie and moller. It will allow TM to roll 4 good lines and there is enough talent on that line to score goals. There are not many teams who have as much capable talent, with Capable being the key word there, to match that fourth line. It can be dangerous. Of course because of lack of size they could also be pushed around a bit but they have all shown to be able to take a hit. Look at Richie yesterday and look at Moller practically every game getting hit but getting back up.

there’s no reason yet to change the lines after two strong wins…the top three lines have been solid and you don’t want to mess with the chemistry/confidence developing…

i could make a very strong argument to put richie as the top line rw, but i love what his current line offers…

when the kings play a fundamentally sound game, stick to their system and play physical, they are as tough to beat as anyone in the league…i think they are just starting to realize their potential…

it was nice to see our young guys hold their own vs. an excellent capital team…when it got chippy, we had people step up…

i like how the team has responded since the phaneuf hit on kopi a few games back…frolov has been a different player (for the better) over the last 10 games or so…certain elements of a winning attitude and that “identity” we talk about appear to be not only emerging, but falling into place…

during these next couple of weeks before the olympic break will be the ultimate test for this team’s playoff outlook…most…if not all teams…will be playing 4 games a week up until the break and i think you will start to see major separation between the teams that will compete for the playoffs and the ones that won’t…

getting stoll back…and jonesy, to an extent…helps the team tremendously during this time…

it’s really the first time in a long time that a kings coach has some difficulty in who to start and who to scratch…

it’s about time…(!)