GAME 1 IS UPON US. It’s playoff time again, and, lo, there will video previews on each game day. Here, Daryl Evans and I weigh in on several topics surrounding puck management and leadership, and how they’ll affect the early part of the series at T-Mobile Arena./
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BONUS VIDEO. Courtesy of NHL Network, here’s a break down of the Kings-Golden Knights series:
Born: Feb 21, 1989
Birthplace: Woodstock, ON, CAN
Position: D
Handedness: Left
Muzzin was drafted in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, before signing to the Kings in 2010. He has since become the first Woodstock, Ontario professional athlete to win a major sports trophy.
Born: August 24, 1987
Birthplace: Jesenice, SVN
Position: C
Handedness: Left
As the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, and following the 2015–16 season, was named the Kings’ captain. Noted for both his offensive and defensive play, Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2016.
Born: December 8, 1989
Birthplace: London, ON, CAN
Position: D
Handedness: Right
Bio: Doughty is a Canadian defenceman who was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2008 Draft. Doughty made his NHL debut in 2008 as an 18-year-old and was named to the All-Rookie Team. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings, a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian national team, and a Norris Trophy finalist.
Born: April 24, 1992
Birthplace: Scarborough, ON, CAN
Position: C
Handedness: Right
Toffoli is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, drafted by the Kings in the second round of the 2010 Draft. Toffoli scored his first career NHL goal in his second game in a 4–0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes in 2013. He was also named the 2012–13 AHL All-Rookie Team.
Born: January 1, 1985
Birthplace: London, ON, CAN
Position: C
Handedness: Right
Carter began his hockey career playing in the Ontario Hockey League in Canada before joining the AHL and playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was then traded to the Colombus Blue jackets before joining the LA Kings in 2012, where he has since won two Stanley Cups with the Kings.
Born: January 21, 1986
Birthplace: Milford, CT, USA
Position: G
Handedness: Left
Bio: Quick is the current goaltender for the LA Kings and was selected by Los Angeles at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Previously, Quick was a silver medalist with USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He’s won two Stanley Cup championships with the Kings, along with being the most recent goaltender to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.
