Los Angeles Kings

Lore & Background

During the 1970s and early 1980s, the Kings had many years marked by impressive play in the regular season only to be washed out by early playoff exits. Their highlights in those years included the strong goaltending of Rogie Vachon, and the 'Triple Crown Line' of Charlie Simmer, Dave Taylor and Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne, who had a famous upset of the rising Edmonton Oilers in a 1982 playoff game known as the Miracle on Manchester. In 1988, the Kings traded with the Oilers to get their captain Wayne Gretzky, leading to a successful phase of the franchise that raised hockey's popularity in Los Angeles, and helped elevate the sport's profile in the American Sun Belt region. Gretzky, fellow Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille, and defenseman Rob Blake led the Kings to the franchise's sole division title in 1990–91, and the Kings' first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1993, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens. After the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, the Kings entered financial problems, with a bankruptcy in 1995, which led to the franchise being acquired by Philip Anschutz and Ed Roski Jr. A period of mediocrity ensued, with the Kings only resurging as they broke a six-year playoff drought in the 2009–10 season, with a team that included goaltender Jonathan Quick, defenseman Drew Doughty, and forwards Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Justin Williams. Under coach Darryl Sutter, who was hired early in the 2011–12 season, and with the acquisition of Jeff Carter, the Kings won two Stanley Cups in three years: 2012 over the New Jersey Devils, and 2014 over the New York Rangers, while Quick and Williams respectively won the Conn Smythe Trophy. The team has had mixed success since then as they have qualified for the playoffs from 2022 to 2026, but have not advanced past the first round – a feat they have not achieved since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014.

In Their Own Story

The ice at the Staples Center was slick under the bright arena lights as the Capitals lined up for a face-off. The air hummed with the electric buzz of West Coast fans, a stark contrast to the familiar chill of D.C. Ovechkin tightened his grip on his stick, eyes locked on the puck, knowing that one mistake against the Kings' disciplined defense could cost them the series. As the whistle blew, the clash of sticks echoed like thunder, marking another chapter in this transcontinental battle.

Reader's Guide

The Kings were founded on June 5, 1967, as part of the 1967 NHL expansion. Their original colors were purple (or 'Forum Blue') and gold. They played their first season at Long Beach Arena before moving to the Forum. Key players include Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Rob Blake, Jonathan Quick, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams, and Jeff Carter. The team won Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014.

Did You Know?

• The Kings' name was chosen by owner Jack Kent Cooke to convey 'an air of royalty.'
• The Kings' first home game was at Long Beach Arena on October 14, 1967, a 4–2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
• The 'Triple Crown Line' of Charlie Simmer, Dave Taylor, and Marcel Dionne was one of the highest-scoring line combinations in NHL history.
• The Kings' 1982 playoff upset of the Edmonton Oilers is known as the 'Miracle on Manchester.'
• The Kings won their first Stanley Cup in 2012, defeating the New Jersey Devils.