LA Kings - Season Preview
After a disappointing finish to the season last year, the Kings are looking to build off a successful 2011-12 regular season and go deep into the playoffs this year.
It is clear that the GM has built this team from the goaltender out, focusing on solid defensive players first while trying to maintain a competitive forward regiment. Luckily some solid play from the young AHL call ups in the pre-season has allowed the team to roll with 4 solid lines to begin the season.
Here is the rumored starting line up for the first game of the new season
(bold indicates players new to the team for 2012-13)
Cole (71) - Sedin (75) - Versteeg (68)
Wheeler (67) - Kesler (71) - Grabovski (68)
Bozak (64) - O'reilly (64) - Brunette (64)
Clutterbuck (64) - Zubrus (66) - Gerbe (63)
Chara (79) - Carle (72)
Girardi (73) - Vlasic (67)
Goligoski (68) - Weber (59)
Howard (84)
Khabibulin (75)
Things to watch this season:
- The Kings find themselves in a difficult division again this year. The battle for top spot will be one that will drag out until the very last game of the season
- The rookie O'reilly should be in contention for the Rookie of the Year awards. During the pre-season, he scored 5G and 2A in 8 games, including a hat-trick in his first game.
- Look for Girardi and Carle to rotate time between the top and 2nd pairings.
- Howard's pre-season performance was outstanding, but look for him to improve during the regular season as the team settles into a defensive routine around him.
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Formerly CPHL - LA Kings
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