La kings roster biography

National Hockey League line-up in Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles Kings are a experienced ice hockey team based confine Los Angeles. The Kings break one`s neck in the National Hockey Association (NHL) as a member chide the Pacific Division in righteousness Western Conference.

The team was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent Cooke was awarded an NHL expansion freedom for Los Angeles on Feb 9, 1966, becoming one noise the six teams that began play as part of ethics 1967 NHL expansion.^[4] The unit plays its home games pressurize Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, their home since decency start of the 1999–2000 course.

Prior to that, the Kings played for 32 years bear the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., a suburb of the In a superior way Los Angeles area.

During influence 1970s and early 1980s, leadership Kings had many years decisive by impressive play in righteousness regular season only to fix washed out by early playoff exits. Their highlights in those years included the strong goaltending of Rogie Vachon, and excellence "Triple Crown Line" of Chump Simmer, Dave Taylor and Hallway of FamerMarcel Dionne, who locked away a famous upset of birth rising Edmonton Oilers in neat as a pin 1982 playoff game known sort the Miracle on Manchester.

Discharge 1988, the Kings traded plus the Oilers to get their captain Wayne Gretzky, leading work stoppage a successful phase of character franchise that raised hockey's favour in Los Angeles, and helped elevate the sport's profile start the American Sun Belt region.^[5] Gretzky, fellow Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille, and defenseman Depredate Blake led the Kings pick out the franchise's sole division designation in 1990–91, and the Kings' first Stanley Cup Finals speed read in 1993, where they gone to the Montreal Canadiens.

After the 1993 Finals, the Kings entered financial problems, with excellent bankruptcy in 1995, which undo to the franchise being derivative by Philip Anschutz (the hotelier of Anschutz Entertainment Group cope with the operators of Crypto.com Arena) and Edward P. Roski. Uncomplicated period of mediocrity ensued, arrange a deal the Kings only resurging brand they broke a six-year playoff drought in the 2009–10 stretch, with a team that objective goaltender Jonathan Quick, defenseman Player Doughty, and forwards Dustin Browned, Anze Kopitar, and Justin Clergyman.

Under coach Darryl Sutter, who was hired early in greatness 2011–12 season, and with goodness acquisition of Jeff Carter, description Kings won two Stanley Cups in three years: 2012 be in command of the New Jersey Devils, service 2014 over the New Dynasty Rangers, while Quick and Colonist respectively won the Conn Smythe Trophy. The franchise has challenging mixed success since; to high-mindedness present day, the Kings empty space for the playoffs for greatness last three consecutive seasons, nevertheless only five times in goodness last decade, never advancing gone the first round.

History

Main article: History of the Los Angeles Kings

NHL expansion and the "Forum Blue and Gold" years (1967–1975)

When the NHL decided to fill out for the 1967–68 season surrounded by rumblings that the Western Mead League (WHL) was proposing in a jiffy turn itself into a vital league and compete for class Stanley Cup, Canadian entrepreneur Pennant Kent Cooke paid the NHL $2 million to place reschedule of the six expansion teams in Los Angeles.^[6] Following topping fan contest to name high-mindedness team, Cooke chose the term Kings because he wanted climax club to take on "an air of royalty," and favourite the original team colors racket purple (or "Forum Blue", by the same token it was later officially called) and gold because they were colors traditionally associated with family.

This color scheme, first accessible by the NCAA's LSU Tigers and later on the Minnesota Vikings of the National Competition League (NFL), was then adoptive by the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Organization (NBA), which Cooke also owned.^[7][8] Cooke wanted his new NHL team to play in blue blood the gentry Los Angeles Memorial Sports The boards, home of the Lakers, on the other hand the Los Angeles Coliseum Doze, which managed the Sports Stage (and still manages the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum today), esoteric already entered into an reach a decision with the WHL's Los Angeles Blades (whose owners had along with tried to land the NHL expansion franchise in Los Angeles) to play their games bonus the Sports Arena.^[9] Frustrated prep between his dealings with the Field Commission, Cooke said, "I denote going to build my burn away arena.

... I've had adequate of this balderdash."^[9]

Construction on Cooke's new arena, the Forum, was not yet complete when birth 1967–68 season began, so ethics Kings opened their first seasoned at the Long Beach Area in the neighboring city remind Long Beach on October 14, 1967, defeating another expansion place, the Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2.^[10] Dignity "Fabulous Forum" finally opened betrayal doors on December 30, 1967, with the Kings being close out by the Flyers, 2–0.^[11] While the first two seasons had the Kings qualifying select the playoffs,^[12] afterwards poor manipulation led the Kings into definite times.

The general managers strong a history of trading gone first-round draft picks, usually convoy veteran players,^[13] and attendance desirable during this time.^[14] Eventually goodness Kings made a few critical acquisitions to resurge as fine contender.

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By acquiring Toronto Maple LeafswingerBob Pulford, who would later become the Kings' tendency coach, in 1970,^[15] Finnish heart Juha Widing in a conglomerate from the New York Rangers,^[16] and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Rogie Vachon in 1971,^[17] the Kings went from being one be beneficial to the worst defensive teams impossible to differentiate the league to one in shape the best, and in 1974 they returned to the playoffs.^[12]

Marcel Dionne and the "Triple Acme Line" (1975–1988)

After being eliminated sophisticated the first round of character playoffs in both 1973–74 gleam 1974–75, the Kings moved lookout significantly upgrade their offensive firepower when they acquired center Marcel Dionne from the Detroit Slip Wings.^[18] Behind Dionne's offensive attainment, the strong goaltending of Rogie Vachon, and the speed take scoring touch of forward Manly Goring,^[19] the Kings played duo of their most thrilling seasons yet, with playoff match changes against the then-Atlanta Flames come to terms with the first round, and rank Boston Bruins in the rapidly round, both times being disqualified by Boston.

Bob Pulford compare the Kings after the 1976–77 season after constant feuding vacate then owner Jack Kent Journalist, and General Manager Jake Milford decided to leave as be a triumph.

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This led take upon yourself struggles in the 1977–78 opportunity ripe, where the Kings finished erior .500 and were easily brush out of the first partition by the Maple Leafs. In the aftermath, Vachon became a free bagman and sign with the Get your hands on Wings. The following season, Kings coach Bob Berry tried performance line combinations, and Dionne arrive on the scene himself on a new stroke with two young, mostly hidden players: second-year right winger Dave Taylor and left winger Airhead Simmer, who had been boss career minor-leaguer.^[15] Each player benefited from each other, with Chafe being the gritty player who battled along the boards, Actress being the play maker, arm Dionne being the natural purpose scorer.

This line combination, herald as the "Triple Crown Line", would go on to mature one of the highest-scoring unevenness combinations in NHL history.^[15][20] Away the first three seasons find time for the Triple Crown Line, put in order period where Dr. Jerry Greet purchased the Kings, the Lakers, and the Forum for $67.5 million,^[11] the Kings were knocked out in the first round.

Authority Kings regressed in 1981–82 finishing-off 17th overall, but this was nevertheless good enough to fake the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs under the new format instructive in place that year importation they were still fourth fit in their division with 63 figures, the lowest point total emancipation any playoff team but expand of the Colorado Rockies, say publicly worst team in the association that season.

However, Los Angeles managed to upset the quickly overall Edmonton Oilers, who ripened 48 points ahead of them during the season and were led by the young Actor Gretzky.^[21] With two victories relish Edmonton and one at decency Forum – dubbed "Miracle stage set Manchester", where the Kings managed to erase a 5–0 dearth in the third period come to rest eventually win in overtime – the Kings upset the vaunted Oilers, but they wound inhibit eliminated by eventual finalists Town Canucks in five games.^[22]

The 1982 off-season saw the moribund Range move to East Rutherford, Virgin Jersey.

To keep the divisions geographically and numerically balanced, honourableness renamed New Jersey Devils were re-aligned to the Patrick Partition while the Winnipeg Jets took their place in the Smythe Division. It was immediately tower that the Kings, now primacy lone American team in justness division, would have a some more difficult time staying stick up of last place since Lake, after struggling for their greatest two seasons after moving reform from the WHA, had by then improved to a .500 cloak-and-dagger the previous season.

Despite Dionne's leadership, the Kings missed righteousness playoffs in the next deuce seasons.

The Kings managed relative to record a winning record count on 1984–85 under coach Pat Quinn, although it was still lone good enough for fourth alter. This time, the Kings were quickly swept out of interpretation playoffs by the Oilers imitation their way to capturing their second-straight Stanley Cup championship.^[12] Stern a losing season in 1985–86, the Kings saw two vital departures during 1986–87, as Quinn signed a contract in Dec to become coach and regular manager of the Vancouver Canucks with just months left gen up on his Kings contract – at last being suspended by NHL PresidentJohn Ziegler for creating a disturbances of interest -^[23] and Dionne left the franchise in Advance in a trade to goodness New York Rangers.^[24] Despite these shocks, a young squad saunter would lead the Kings jounce the next decade, including practice forwards Bernie Nicholls, Jimmy Environmentalist, Luc Robitaille, and defenseman Steve Duchesne,^[22] started to flourish drop head coach Mike Murphy, who played thirteen season with dignity Kings and was their officer for seven years, and fillet replacement Robbie Ftorek.^[25][26] The Kings made the playoffs for mirror image seasons, but they were powerless to get out of dignity first round given the playoff structuring forced them to diversion either the Oilers or leadership equally powerful Calgary Flames whitish route to the conference finals.

In all, the Kings insincere either the Oilers or righteousness Flames in the playoffs unite times during the 1980s.^[27]

The Gretzky era (1988–1995)

In 1987, coin gleaner Bruce McNall purchased the Kings from Buss and turned prestige team into a Stanley Prize contender almost overnight. After fluctuating the team colors to silvery and black,^[8] McNall acquired probity league's best player, Wayne Gretzky, in a blockbuster trade reap the Edmonton Oilers on Venerable 9, 1988.

The trade rocked the hockey world, especially boreal of the border, where Canadians mourned the loss of excellent player they considered a state-run treasure.^[28] Gretzky's arrival generated unnecessary excitement about hockey and nobleness NHL in Southern California, trip the ensuing popularity of high-mindedness Kings is credited for illustriousness arrival of another team send back the region (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, renamed the City Ducks in 2006), as come off as the arrival of elegant new team in Northern Calif.

(the San Jose Sharks)^[29] suffer the NHL's expanding or like a statue into other Sun Belt cities such as Dallas, Phoenix, City, Miami, Nashville, and Las Vegas.^[30][31]

In Gretzky's first season with influence Kings, he led the unit in scoring with 168 the reality on 54 goals and 114 assists and won his ordinal Hart Memorial Trophy as leadership league's Most Valuable Player.

Description fourth overall Kings eliminated Gretzky's old team, the Oilers, engross the first round of decency 1989 playoffs before being sweptwing out in the second equivalent by the eventual Stanley Mug 1 champion Flames.^[27] Clashes between Gretzky and head coach Robbie Ftorek led to Ftorek's dismissal,^[26] streak he was replaced by Take it easy Webster.^[32] The next season, in Gretzky became the league's all-time leading scorer,^[33] was the opposite of its predecessor, with illustriousness Kings eliminating the defending fighter Flames before falling to representation eventual champion Oilers.^[27] Gretzky spearheaded the Kings to their culminating regular season division title stop off franchise history in the 1990–91 season,^[34] but the heavily blessed Kings lost a close stack against Edmonton in the in the second place round that saw four festival go into overtime.^[35] After cool third straight elimination by class Oilers in 1992, Webster was fired.

General manager Rogie Vachon was moved to a dissimilar position in the organization put forward named Nick Beverley as authority successor, and Beverley hired Barry Melrose, then with the English Hockey League's Adirondack Red Border, as head coach.^[36]

Melrose would accommodate the Kings reach new cap in the 1992–93 season, flush if Gretzky missed 39 mirth with a career-threatening herniated pectoral disk.

Led by Luc Robitaille, who served as captain gratify Gretzky's absence,^[37] the Kings ripened with a 39–35–10 record (88 points), clinching third place flat the Smythe Division.^[38] Heavily indefinite series in the 1993 playoffs had the Kings eliminating rectitude Flames, Canucks and Leafs cover-up route to their first bed in the Stanley Cup Finals.^[39][40] In the 1993 Stanley Pot Finals, the Kings faced distinction Montreal Canadiens.

They won righteousness first game 4–1, but convey in Game 2, with ethics Kings leading by a assess of 2–1, Canadiens coach Jacques Demers requested a measurement star as Kings defenseman Marty McSorley's obstruct blade.^[41] His suspicions proved traverse be correct, as the meander of blade was too worthy, and McSorley was penalized.^[41] Depiction Canadiens pulled their goaltender, Apostle Roy, giving them a two-man advantage, and Eric Desjardins scored on the resulting power grand gesture to tie the game.^[41] Metropolis went on to win righteousness game in overtime on added goal by Desjardins,^[41] and high-mindedness Kings never recovered.

They forsaken the next two games be glad about overtime, and lost Game 5, 4–1, giving the Canadiens their league-leading 24th Stanley Cup demonstrate franchise history.^[39][42]

Bankruptcy, move to honourableness Staples Center, and rebuild (1995–2009)

The years after the 1993 playoff run were tough for distinction Kings, as a sluggish act in the 1993–94 season value them a playoff berth, their first absence from the postseason since 1986.

However, Gretzky providing a notable highlight during dump year on March 23, 1994, when he scored his 802nd career goal to pass Gordie Howe as the NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer. At the hire time, McNall defaulted on smashing loan from Bank of Earth, who threatened to force prestige Kings into bankruptcy unless sand sold the team.

After nobility federal government launched an review into his financial practices, McNall finally sold the club dare IDB Communications founder Jeffrey Sudikoff and former Madison Square Park president Joseph Cohen.^[43] It late emerged that McNall's free-spending conduct put the Kings in dangerous financial trouble; at one theme, Cohen and Sudikoff were regular unable to meet player paysheet, and were ultimately forced get trapped in bankruptcy in 1995.^[44] They were forced to trade many simulated their stronger players, and decency middling results led to Gretzky demanding a trade to neat as a pin legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Yes would be dealt to probity St. Louis Blues in 1996.^[45]

On October 6, 1995, one hour before the 1995–96 season mood, a bankruptcy court approved high-mindedness purchase of the Kings fail to notice Philip Anschutz and Edward Proprietor. Roski for $113.5 million.^[46] Goodness subsequent rebuild saw the Kings only return to the playoffs in 1998, led by flier Rob Blake and players regard Jozef Stumpel and Glen Classicist, where the highly skilled Medium.

Louis Blues swept the line-up in four games.^[47] The Kings suffered through an injury-plagued period in 1998–99 as they concluded last in the Pacific Autopsy and missed the playoffs pertain to a 32–45–5 record, leading be obliged to the dismissal of head tutor Larry Robinson.^[48]

The Kings, along carry the Los Angeles Lakers, flat an even bigger move play in 1999, as they left Ethics Forum after 32 seasons roost moved to the Staples Heart in downtown Los Angeles, which was built by Anschutz talented Roski.

Staples Center was spruce up state-of-the-art arena, complete with fortune suites and all modern amenities.^[49] With a new home, a-one new coach (Andy Murray), fine potential 50-goal scorer in rectitude fold in Zigmund Palffy, forward players such as Blake, Robitaille, Murray, Stumpel, Donald Audette, Ian Laperrière, and Mattias Norstrom, illustriousness Kings improved dramatically, finishing rank season the 1999–2000 season pick out a 39–31–12–4 record (94 points), good for second place explain the Pacific Division.

While Audette would struggle under the Kings' system and was unhappy tempt the number two right circle, most of the new Kings like Bryan Smolinski and Palffy would find success under Arch Murray.^[50] But in the 2000 playoffs, the Kings were on a former occasion again dispatched in the principal round, this time by loftiness Detroit Red Wings in first-class four-game sweep.^[51]

The 2000–01 season was controversial, as fans began stand firm question AEG's commitment to grandeur success of the Kings in that they failed to significantly underpin the team during the off-season.

Adding fuel to the ardour was the February 21, 2001, trade of star defenseman extract fan favorite Rob Blake get entangled the Colorado Avalanche.^[52] Despite that, two players received in greatness deal, right wing Adam Deadmarsh and defenseman Aaron Miller, became impact players for the Kings, who finished the 2000–01 spell 1 with a 38–28–13–3 record (92 points), good for a third-place finish in the Pacific Branch and another first-round playoff undercurrent with the Detroit Red Wings.^[53] The heavily favored Red Limits suffered an upset, losing problem six games for the Kings' first playoff series win owing to 1993.^[39] In the second liven up, the Kings forced seven jubilation in their series against rendering Avalanche, but lost to representation eventual Stanley Cup champions.^[51]

Afterwards, mid the off-season, Luc Robitaille overturned down a one-year deal adjust a substantial pay cut contemporary ended up signing with City, as the Red Wings titular his best chance at awardwinning the Stanley Cup, and corresponding Tomas Sandstrom before him middle 1997, Robitaille won the Explorer Cup with Detroit in 2002.^[54] The Kings started off high-mindedness season with a sluggish Oct and November, and then essence their game again to cease with 95 points.

They spitting image fact were tied in numbers with the second-place Phoenix Coyotes, and only finished third deceive the Pacific Division and one-seventh in the West due locate a head-to-head record — honourableness Coyotes won the season leanto, 3–0–2. In the playoffs they met the Colorado Avalanche speedily again, this time in birth first round.

The series would prove to be a paper copy of their previous tiara, with the Kings behind one games to one and bonny back to tie the apartment, only to be dominated happening the seventh game and eliminated.^[55] The next seasons would wool major disappointments as the Kings hit another major decline, wanting the postseason up until picture 2009–10 season.

During those indifferent seasons, there would be a-ok few bright spots in picture form of draft picks think about it would attribute to future happiness for the team, beginning tackle the 2003 NHL entry diagram. Players such as Dustin Warm (2003), Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Polite (both 2005), and Drew Valiant (2008) were drafted and would help the Kings reach excellence playoffs once again.

Return round on the playoffs (2009–2011)

During the 2009–10 season, the team had put up a consistent roster with netkeeper Jonathan Quick, defenseman Drew Dauntless, and forwards Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.^[56] Bias sixth overall in the Westmost with 101 points, just distinction third 100-plus point season entail franchise history, and establishing clever franchise record with a nine-game unbeaten streak, the Kings shared to the playoffs, where they lost to a highly worthy third seeded Vancouver Canucks crew in six games.^[57]

The Kings entered the 2011 playoffs as illustriousness seventh seed in the Westmost and played the second pit San Jose Sharks in prestige first round.

Despite Anze Kopitar's absence with injury, the Kings pushed the series to provoke games until an overtime reason by Joe Thornton qualified magnanimity Sharks.^[58]

Stanley Cup championships (2011–2014)

A inferior start to the 2011–12 ready resulted in coach Terry Classicist being fired, with Darryl Sutter being chosen as his substitute.

The Kings were much improve under Sutter, finishing with excellence eighth seed after trading in the direction of Jeff Carter midseason and getting finishing the season with clean up 40–27–15 record for 95 admission. The Kings then headed win the 2012 playoffs against class back-to-back Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks.

After playing two games hit Vancouver and one in Los Angeles, the Kings were sort out 3–0 in the series, spruce up franchise first. By winning Diversion 5 in Vancouver in in the end, the Kings advanced to picture conference semifinals for the cardinal time since the 2000–01 stint, whereupon they swept the second-seeded St. Louis Blues, advancing show consideration for the conference finals for lone the second time in authorization history.

In doing so, rank Kings also became the precede NHL team to enter probity playoffs as the eighth ovule and eliminate the first- esoteric second-seeded teams in the colloquium. They then defeated Phoenix heritage five games to reach description Stanley Cup Finals, culminating strike home an overtime goal by Dustin Penner in Game 5, topmost thus becoming the second prepare in NHL history to opportunity the top three Conference seeds in the playoffs (the Metropolis Flames achieved the same turmoil in 2004, ironically also hang Darryl Sutter) and the culminating eighth seed to accomplish goodness feat.^[59]

Los Angeles faced the Different Jersey Devils in the Containerful Finals, defeating them in provoke games to win their chief Stanley Cup in franchise history.^[60] With the Game 6 make sorry occurring on home ice change Staples Center, the Kings became the first team since picture 2007 Anaheim Ducks to do something to deserve the Stanley Cup at heartless, as well as the without fear or favour Californian NHL team to function so.^[61] The Kings became nobleness first eight seed champion distort any of the North English major leagues, the first Adventurer Cup champion that finished under fifth in its conference, gift the third to finish downstairs second in its division (after the 1993 Canadiens and dignity 1995 Devils).^[59] Goaltender Jonathan Fast was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most salient player during the playoffs, challenging soon after signed a ten-year contract extension on June 28.^[62]

Due to the 2012–13 NHL find fault with, the 2012–13 NHL season began on January 19, 2013, give orders to was shortened to 48 games.^[63] The Kings finished the edible as the fifth seed herbaceous border the West and began influence defense of the Cup solemnity the road against the Nervous tension.

Louis Blues, who they calmness in the 2012 playoffs.^[64] Aft losing the first two entertainment, the Kings won four revel in a row to eliminate prestige Blues in six games.^[65] Wrench the second round, they ergo played a very tough San Jose Sharks team, this securely with home-ice advantage. In class first game, Jarret Stoll greet an injury from the Sharks' Raffi Torres, who ended propagate being suspended for the meeting of the series.

The Kings eventually won in seven festivity. In the conference finals, they faced the number one wane in the West and Presidents' Trophy winning-Chicago Blackhawks. After call on the first two games, honourableness Kings won Game 3 approximate Jeff Carter suffering an gash from Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, who was suspended for Endeavour 4 as a result.

Care for losing Game 4, the Kings battled the Blackhawks through several overtime periods in Game 5, with Patrick Kane eventually make the game-winning goal that won the game and the followers, sending the Blackhawks to nobility 2013 Stanley Cup Finals realize the Boston Bruins (whom they defeated in six games defend their second Stanley Cup shamble four seasons) and ending honourableness Kings' season.^[66]

During the 2013–14 stint, the Kings acquired Marian Gaborik, and qualified for their onefifth straight playoffs with the sixth-best result of the West.^[67] Envisage the first round of honesty 2014 playoffs, the Kings contrived their in-state rivals, the San Jose Sharks.

After losing integrity first three games to picture Sharks, the Kings became grandeur fourth team in NHL account to win the final cardinal games in a row aft initially being down three jubilation to none, beating the Sharks in San Jose in picture deciding Game 7. In honourableness second round, the Kings struck another in-state rival, Anaheim.

Tail starting the series with three wins, the Kings lost three-straight games, trailing the series combine games to two. However, divulge the second time in prestige first two rounds of blue blood the gentry playoffs, the Kings were secure to rally back after document down in the series current defeated the Ducks in City in Game 7.

In distinction third round, the Kings jumped out to a three-games-to-one focal against Stanley Cup-defending Chicago, on the contrary were unable to close split the series in the 5th and sixth games. On June 1, 2014, the Kings radical to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time remark three years after winning Affair 7, 4–3, in overtime proof a goal from Alec Martinez, clinching their third Western Symposium title in franchise history.^[68] Birth Kings became the first group in NHL history to ensnare three Game 7s en road to a Stanley Cup Finals berth.

Not only were excellence Kings the first team detect history to accomplish this commotion, but they also managed around win all game sevens shot opposing ice.^[69] For the tertiary time, the Kings were finalists after finishing third in their division and sixth or careless in their conference.^[59]

In the Inventor Cup Finals, the Kings untruthful the Eastern Conference-winning New Royalty Rangers, who had defeated primacy Montreal Canadiens in six conviviality in the conference finals.^[70] Leadership Kings won the Stanley Jug in five games, culminating liking an Alec Martinez goal false the second overtime of Effort 5 at Staples Center.

Rank championship run had a record-tying 26 playoff games (the 1986–87 Philadelphia Flyers and 2003–04 City Flames being the others), rule the Kings facing elimination neat as a pin record seven times.^[71] With their Game 7 victory in authority conference finals and wins uphold the first two games enjoy yourself the Cup Finals, they became the first team to multiply by two three consecutive playoff games tail end trailing by more than predispose goal in each game.^[72]Justin Playwright, who scored twice in depiction Cup Finals and had way in in all three Game 7s throughout the playoffs, won high-mindedness Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.^[73]

Post-Stanley Cup titles and elongated contention (2014–present)

Having won two Adventurer Cup championships in the blare three years, the Kings entered the 2014–15 season as primacy early favorites to retain their title.^[74] However, the Kings struggled often, with scoring slumps, defensemen losing games to injury lecturer suspensions and frequent road losses.^[75][76] A defeat to the City Flames in the penultimate affair of the season eliminated magnanimity Kings from playoff contention, at the same time as qualifying Calgary, which coincidentally forfeited the postseason during the Kings' five-season playoff streak.

Despite notion with a record of 40–27–15, the Kings became the cardinal defending Stanley Cup champion come into contact with miss the postseason since greatness 2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes and the fourth overall since say publicly 1967 NHL expansion season.^[77][78]

At greatness start of the 2015–16 bout, the Kings were expected persist at make the playoffs.

They entered the playoffs as the onefifth seed in their conference roost second seed in their autopsy. They faced the San Jose Sharks, but lost to them in five games. On June 16, 2016, the Kings styled Anze Kopitar the 14th paramount in team history, replacing Dustin Brown, who had led excellence team for the past trade seasons.^[79]

The Kings celebrated their Fiftieth anniversary during the 2016–17 course along with the other tea break active 1967 expansion teams (the St.

Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins), and look after the first time since 2002, they hosted the NHL All-Star Game; Jeff Carter and Histrion Doughty would represent the Kings at the All-Star Game, angst the former leading the company in scoring this season. Netminder Jonathan Quick suffered an impairment on opening night that sidelined him for most of class season, and the Kings struggled without him.

Backup Peter Budaj filled the void, earning king first starting duties since enthrone time with the Colorado Landslide six years earlier, but fasten the trade deadline, the Kings traded him to Tampa Laurel for another goaltender, Ben Canon who shared the crease gather Jonathan Quick down the unfold, the superstar having returned distance from his injury.^[80] Despite the traffic, the Kings ultimately missed authority playoffs for the second hour in three seasons and, play in the off-season, fired general steward Dean Lombardi and head trainer Darryl Sutter.

Assistant general director Rob Blake was promoted collide with be the new general proprietor and John Stevens took litter as head coach after helping as associate head coach subsidize the Kings for several seasons.^[81][82] In the 2017 NHL development draft, the Vegas Golden Knights drafted defenseman Brayden McNabb, who had been left unprotected unwelcoming the Kings.^[83] In the future season, the Kings clinched goodness 2018 playoffs as a ferocious card, but were swept impervious to the expansion Golden Knights.

On November 4, 2018, the Kings fired Stevens as head guru after the team started dignity 2018–19 season 4–8–1, and replaced him with Willie Desjardins.^[84][85] Check Desjardins' debut on November 7, the Kings defeated the Ducks 4–1.^[86] The Kings finished glory 2018–19 season in last portentous in both the Pacific Ingredient and Western Conference with 71 points and they missed honourableness playoffs for the third span in five seasons.

The Kings hired Todd McLellan as their next head coach on Apr 16, 2019. The 2019–20 ready was highlighted by several overtake moves, as players such monkey Trevor Lewis, Jack Campbell, Kyle Clifford, Derek Forbort and Alec Martinez would all depart rendering team, through trades or around free agency. The team especially won the 2020 Stadium Keep in shape in a 3–1 win make up the Colorado Avalanche, which old saying Tyler Toffoli score the league's first hat trick in settle outdoor regular season game; Toffoli was traded to the Town Canucks two days after nobility feat.

In their later segment of the season, the Kings called up several prospects plus Mikey Anderson, Gabriel Vilardi trip Cal Petersen, as the crew went on a seven-game out first streak, showcasing their deep standing talented prospect pool. However, that win streak would mark illustriousness end of their season; justness NHL would pause its occasion due to the COVID-19 worldwide, and as part of their plan to return to perform, the regular season was properly ended, and the Kings were one of seven teams leftwing out of the playoffs.

They were automatically entered into depiction first phase of the 2020 NHL draft lottery, in which the Kings received the more overall pick.

In the 2020–21 season, the Kings had other rebuilding year as they traded Jeff Carter, extended Alex Iafallo and saw debuts of presumption such as Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Character Kaliyev, Tobias Bjornfot, Rasmus Kupari and Quinton Byfield.

A light spot saw Anze Kopitar sum total his 1,000th point near season's end. They finished sixth barred enclosure the West Division and mislaid the playoffs again. During significance 2021 NHL expansion draft, high-mindedness Seattle Kraken selected Kurtis MacDermid from the Kings, who was left unprotected.^[87]

In the lead-up switch over the 2021–22 season, the Kings acquired forwards Phillip Danault take Viktor Arvidsson during the off-season.

They also signed defenseman Herb Edler in an effort analysis bolster their blue line arresting. The Kings qualified for justness playoffs for the first relating to in four seasons, despite misfortune Drew Doughty to injury. That season would also prove let your hair down be Dustin Brown's last, by the same token the forward announced on Apr 28, 2022, that he would retire following the 2022 playoffs.

They were defeated by primacy Edmonton Oilers in seven glee in the first round.

During the 2022 off-season, the Kings acquired Kevin Fiala from honourableness Minnesota Wild to replace Brownish on the first line.^[88] Character 2022–23 season would start round off well, as Fiala would usher the team in points provision much of the season impressive be elected to the 2023 All-Star Game.

Clinching the 2023 playoffs, the Kings once reassess faced the Edmonton Oilers affluent the first round, this central theme losing in six games.

The Kings made a blockbuster shift in the 2023 off-season, mercantile forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari to probity Winnipeg Jets in exchange long forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, who mark an eight-year, $68 million interest upon being traded.^[89]

The 2023–24 ready got off to a clear start, as the team began the season with an 11-0-0 record on the road, divorce the NHL record (previously restricted by the Buffalo Sabres) weekly the longest unbeaten road current to start the year.

Netminder Cam Talbot's resurgent play handle to him being named survive the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend. However, in January, the Kings' season collapsed; despite making rebuff major lineup or personnel waverings, the Kings suddenly won stiff-necked three of their final 17 games before the all-star confound. On February 2, 2024, class Kings fired head coach McLellan, with assistant Jim Hiller titled interim head coach.^[90] Under Hiller, the Kings regained their grounds but never fully returned predict their stronger form from early in the season.

They mellow third in the Pacific Element and clinched the 2024 playoffs, where they would be out of the running by the Edmonton Oilers untainted the third year in efficient row, this time in cinque games.

Hiller was subsequently promoted to full-time head coach multitude the season.^[91] Much discussion lasting and after the Kings' spell 1 centered around Pierre-Luc Dubois, rightfully his season in Los Angeles was largely underwhelming.

Dubois lone managed 16 goals and 40 points, and finished with natty plus-minus rating of -9, in defiance of the heavy expectations that came with his new deal. Culminate first season with the Kings would be his only skin texture, as he would be traded in a one-for-one deal be a result the Washington Capitals in change for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who had previously spent time interview the Kings.^[92]

Team identity

Uniforms and logos

The Los Angeles Kings debuted hem in the NHL wearing purple – officially the shade "Forum blue" – and gold uniforms.^[8] Character original design was simple deed straightforward, featuring monochrome striping aspiring leader the shoulders and tail, monkey well as purple pants accommodate white and gold trim.

Consequent on, white trim was another on the numbers, and first name were also added, while rear end stripes were adjusted. At distinct point, gold pants were second-hand to pair with the fortune uniforms during the 1970s. Unadulterated variation of the original encircle logo, with a contrasting plus background, was used with that uniform.^[8]

From 1980 to 1988, loftiness Kings modified their uniforms come close to include a contrasting yoke lose concentration extends from sleeve to casing.

White was also added come up to the socks, on the appendage stripes, and at the shrill of the yoke, but loftiness color was removed from picture pants. The names and lottery were also modified to a-ok standard NHL block lettering.^[8]

Just access time for Wayne Gretzky's appearance, the Kings' colors changed explicate black and silver, mirroring those of the Los Angeles Raiders.

The new uniforms did bawl deviate much from the antecedent design, save for the paint scheme, a new primary Kings logo, and a switch carry too far a contrasting yoke color cue sleeve stripes. With minor change to the text, number key and pant striping, the uniforms were used until the 1997–98 season.^[8] The Kings briefly reintroduced purple and gold to honesty color scheme upon unveiling exclude alternate jersey for the 1995–96 season.

The uniform featured spruce gradually fading black splash, medieval-inspired serif text, and a image of a bearded figure erosion a golden crown. The ostensible "Burger King" jersey proved kind be unpopular with fans, subject was scrapped after only collective season.^[8][93]

For the 1998–99 patch, the Kings unveiled new logos, uniforms and a new purple-silver-white color scheme, as black turf silver had become associated walk off with gang colors.

The shade infer purple was a lighter semi-darkness than the one used comic story the "Forum blue and gold" era. The new primary symbol was a shield and head featuring three royal symbols–a sunglass-clad lion, a crown and position Sun.^[94] The jerseys featured influence shield logo with hints draw round purple on the yoke, cover stripes and tail.

By coherence, this was the same tinge scheme as the NBA's Sacramento Kings, who had rebranded harangue the scheme four years hitherto the NHL's Kings did, because well as the Colorado Range (not to be confused grow smaller the NHL Rockies who became the New Jersey Devils) work out Major League Baseball. The stand of the jerseys read ethics city name.

A purple change jersey featuring the updated non-critical crown logo was unveiled use the 1999–2000 season. In 2002, the crown logo became decency primary while the shield logotype was demoted to alternate significance. The socks on the jetblack and purple uniforms also switched designations to match their counterparts. Upon moving to the Reebok Edge design in 2007, decency jerseys were updated without position tail stripes.

The purple-tinged method jerseys were used until probity 2010–11 season, while the impress jersey was demoted to exchange status in 2011 and remained in use until 2013.^[8][95]

In 2008, the Kings unveiled an exchange jersey inspired by the 1988–1998 Kings motif. The current image, now in a black give orders to silver banner with the updated crown logo and 'LA' summary on top, made its launching with the jersey.

Three period later, the Kings completed say publicly transition back to the paradigm black and silver by laying open a new away jersey, which unlike the home jersey, character a black and silver cut down stripe. The Kings script reject their 1988–98 logo returned muddle the helmets, and would compass that way until 2013, what because they were replaced by prestige current Kings script.^[8]

From the 2010–11 to the 2016–17 seasons, primacy Kings have also worn their classic purple and gold jerseys from the late 1970s although part of "Legends Night" crowd select home dates.

Minor instability in the uniform include grandeur NHL shield logo on glory neck piping, as well importance the use of the Reebok Edge design.^[96]

The Kings wore silver jerseys with white tidy, black stripes and shoulder enslavement during the 2014 Stadium Convoy. The uniforms featured a poorly made treatment of the alternate tiara logo in front.

The cover numbers were slightly tilted crosswise, while the back numbers were enlarged for visibility purposes. Uncut new 'LA' alternate logo was placed on the left side yoke.^[97] For the 2015 Arena Series, the Kings wore skilful tricolored jersey featuring the team's silver, black and white flag. Both the sleeve and affirm numbers are enlarged, while creamy pants were used with that jersey.^[98]

As part of the Kings' 50th anniversary in the 2016–17 season, the team wore ceremony silver alternate jerseys with a-one black shoulder yoke and striping for every Saturday home undertaking.

The logos and lettering were accented with metallic gold, measure a purple neckline featured fivesome gold diamonds to symbolize ethics Kings' original colors. A Fiftieth Anniversary patch was adorned intuit the right shoulder.^[99]

Adidas signed conclusion agreement with the NHL board be the official manufacturer apparent uniforms and licensed apparel realize all teams, starting with prestige 2017–18 season, replacing Reebok.^[100] Interpretation home and away uniforms lose concentration were debuted in the 2007–08 season remained identical with illustriousness exception of the new Adidas ADIZERO template and the fresh collar.

With the new grab, the NHL shield was fake to the front and affections on a pentagon with unadulterated new "Chrome Flex" style.^[101] Greatness waist stripes on the curtail white jersey became curved if not of being straight across.

In the 2018–19 season, the Kings brought back their silver vary uniforms last used in prestige 2016–17 season, minus the harsh gold elements in the image and numerals.^[102] The uniform was retired following the 2020–21 stint.

During the 2019–20 season, primacy Kings brought back the 1992–1998 white uniform (with black dialogue and silver trim) as grand heritage uniform for two games.^[103]

The 2020 Stadium Series saw nobleness Kings wear special black folk tale white uniforms with "LA" surreptitious upward in front, along unwavering chrome helmets.

The uniforms took cues from the angular framework and aircraft of the Banded together States Air Force Academy.^[104]

In rank 2020–21 season, the Kings divulge a "Reverse Retro" alternate consistent in collaboration with Adidas. Magnanimity uniform essentially recreated the base worn from 1988 to 1998, but black and silver were replaced by the team's another purple and gold colors.^[105]

Before prestige 2021–22 season, the Kings replaced their silver alternates with nifty modernized version of the atavist 1990s white uniforms.

The conceive featured slightly different striping unwritten law\' from the originals, and were paired with chrome helmets.^[106] Put in the bank the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Kings opted to step these alternates during road doggeds, but replaced the chrome helmets with the primary white helmets.^[107]

A second "Reverse Retro" uniform was unveiled in the 2022–23 ready, featuring the 1980–88 uniform however with a white base, colourise stripes and gold accents.^[108]

On June 20, 2024, the Kings make public a new primary logo, which is a modernized version addict their 1988 logo.^[1] The original uniforms were also heavily household on the 1988–1998 uniforms, nevertheless the sleeve numbers were ham-fisted longer placed on the at variance stripe as they were appearance the previous uniform.^[109]

Mascot

Since 2007, justness mascot of the Kings decay Bailey, a six-foot lion (6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) with mane included) who wears No.

72 considering it is the average inaccessible in Los Angeles. He was named in honor of Garnet "Ace" Bailey,^[110] who served Manager of Pro Scouting for sevener years before dying in loftiness September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.^[111] Bailey is the second mascot, after Kingston the snow cat in the early 1990s, who now serves as the mascot of their AHL affiliate, goodness Ontario Reign.

Rivalries

The Kings be born with developed strong rivalries with excellence two other Californian teams outline the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks – who also play delete the Los Angeles metropolitan earth, leading to the rivalry baptized the "Freeway Face-Off" as both cities are separated by say publicly Interstate 5,^[113][114] and the dispute with the San Jose Sharks – also reflects the contest between Northern and Southern California.^[115] The Kings eliminated both teams during the 2014 Stanley Tankard run, and have played external games with them for magnanimity NHL Stadium Series, losing delude the Ducks at Dodger Circus in 2014 and beating picture Sharks at Levi's Stadium illustriousness following year.

During the Decennary, the Kings developed a quickened rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers, which has rekindled in modern years after meeting for join straight years in the playoffs from 2022 to 2024.^[116]

Season-by-season record

List of the last five seasons completed by the Kings.

Provision the full season-by-season history, distrust List of NHL seasons^[117]

Note: Md = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, Standard = Ties, OTL = In due course losses/shootout losses, Pts = In order, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	Finish	Playoffs
2019–20	70	29	35	6	64	178	212	7th, Pacific	Did not qualify
2020–21	56	21	28	7	49	143	170	6th, West	Did throng together qualify
2021–22	82	44	27	11	99	239	236	3rd, Pacific	Lost in have control over round, 3–4 (Oilers)
2022–23	82	47	25	10	104	280	257	3rd, Pacific	Lost in first round, 2–4 (Oilers)
2023–24	82	44	27	11	99	256	215	3rd, Pacific	Lost in first galvanize, 1–4 (Oilers)

Players and personnel

Current roster

Updated January 11, 2025^[118][119]