LOS ANGELES KINGS

BY DOUG WARD

PREDICTION | 3RD IN PACIFIC MAYBE IT WAS THE writers’ strike in Hollywood, but the Kings’ playoff ouster in Edmonton last spring felt like a recycled script. A captivating 104-point regular season was spoiled by the predictable finale – a first-round loss to the Oilers. Worse yet, the Kings have not won a playoff series since 2014. Like any good Hollywood executive, GM Rob Blake brought in a new cast member, Pierre-Luc Dubois, to change the chemistry. Dubois won’t arrive wearing a cape, but after adding him to the existing core of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles has a group capable of avenging its annual losses to Edmonton. The Kings have successfully integrated youngsters, eased out veterans and acquired prime-time players. If they can learn from…

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The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, Yearbook 2023-24

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