Best Of The West

The Colorado Avalance have been the talk of the NHL's Western Conference since the 2009 - 10 season started. After finishing at the very bottom of the west just last season, they now stand at a very impressive second place. Led by the suprising uprise of goalie Craig Anderson, it looks as though the Avs are going to make a strong run at the Stanley Cup this year. That is, if the Los Angeles Kings don't leave them in the dust.

Finishing just in front of Colorado last season at 14th place in the west, they now sit in the coveted first place spot. Third place in the NHL behind only the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. Their sudden success can be partially credited to general manager Dean Lombardi, who in the off season picked up star left wing Ryan Smyth from Colorado, and signed free agent Rob Scuderi who won the Stanley Cup just the season before with the Penguins. Smyths acquisition didn't come without loss though, as Colorado recieved puck-moving defenseman Kyle Quincey, veteran defenseman Tom Preissing, and a fifth round draft pick. The trade worked out in the Kings favor however. Smyth, who seemed to be in a slump in Colorado last season posting only 59 points in 77 games now has 23 points in only 22 games playing on the Kings top line, but has missed 14 games due to injury.

Losing Smyth hasn't stopped the Kings though. Their young core of players led by alternate captain and star center Anze Kopitar has continued to dominate no matter what the circumstance. Kopitar, the Kings leading scorer has already put up 38 points(16G, 22A) and a +/- rating of 4 in 36 games this season. A huge improvement from only 66 points(27G, 39A) and +/- rating of -17 in 82 games last season. Kings captain Dustin Brown isn't far behind with 27 points in 36 games, and leads the league in with an impressive 118 hits. Some other players that have shined brightly include Jarret Stoll with 25 points, Alexander Frolov, Justin Williams, and star offensive defensman Drew Doughty with 24 points each, and finally Wayne Simmonds who has seen his minutes per game increase with the loss of Ryan Smyth, and posted 20 points this season.

Perhaps the star that has shined the brightest for the Kings to the suprise of many has been starting goaltender, Jonathan Quick. In 33 games Quick has posted a record of 20-10-3 with a save percentage of .904 and a goals against average of 2.60. He is currently tied with Martin Brodeur for first place in wins.

With a record of 8-1-1 in their last 10 games the Kings look to continue their success. Notably the Kings have won those 8 games out of 10 without Ryan Smyth who will be out until December 26th at the earliest. One can only imagine how much further his return will push the Los Angeles Kings up in the standings and into the playoffs. Maybe this will be the year the Kings raise the stanley cup for the first time in franchise history. If not, look for the Los Angeles Kings to be a compeditor for many years to come.