Kings Tumbling Down the Standings

Kings game: 3/27, home vs. Dallas. It was the Kings sixth appearance this season against the Stars. They had won the previous five. The win was all but sealed up.

Instead, the Kings lost 4-1. They laid an egg. They didn't show up. The crowd knew it. It was reflected off of every players helmet mask.

That was when my girlfriend turned to me and said, "I hate when people boo their own teams." She knew what was coming.

I did too, but it didn't matter. You could feel the eruption of boos begin to explode. The fans that hadn't already booked it for their cars were ready to let the Kings know exactly how they felt. And then it began, one of the angriest boos I've ever been apart of. I didn't take place myself, as I sat there bummed out with my girlfriend. It was then that I turned to her and said, "I hate when people boo their teams too, but I understand why they do it: when their teams aren't playing up to their potential."

That's exactly what the Kings are doing. They're 5-9 since the Winter Olympic break and they're playing like it. But why have they all of a sudden started to unravel?

One of my good hockey friends, Richard, tells me it's because of their youth.


"The combination of age and Olympics is the major reason the Kings are struggling," said Richard. "The Kings had focus before the Olympics. Once in the olympics, that same focus transfers into a new goal: the Olympic gold." I'm afraid he's right. Many of the young studs have lost their rhythm, but even those who didn't put on an Olympic uniform.

Goalie Jonathan Quick has definitely not looked the same in the games he's played since leaving for Vancouver, even though he didn't play even a minute up there. That, and the addition of his newborn, will disrupt anyones rhythm. But we know there's no excuses in sports. He's had a monstrous season so far and in only his first year starting, he's top-5 in wins with 39 (Kings franchise-record) and top-10 in shutouts. But like I mentioned, it's only his first year starting. It takes a couple seasons to build up that stamina, and unfortunately, it's looking like Quick is needing some rest, though it comes at bad time in the season.

"The thing is, he [Quick] should have been getting some rest mid-season. Resting now would result in him needing warm up matches again to get back in the zone. He should have been doing that in the games before the Olympics, to be at his peak in about 2 weeks, when the playoffs start," said Richard. If in fact Quick is just fatigued, it comes understandably but at an unfortunate time.

Goalie Jonathan Bernier is scheduled to make his second start of the season, and his career, tomorrow night at Nashville. Erik Ersberg is currently sidelined with an injury.

But it's not just the goal that's been rocked lately. The Kings offense has been so jagged and inconsistent.  It hasn't looked as fluid as it did earlier in the season and it's tough to say why this is occurring. I'm sure fatigue has set in and it's being mixed with a lack of motivation to finish out the long season. Several players have complained about a lack of enthusiasm when playing. Also, the addition of Modin and Williams back into the line up may have thrown off chemistry. That chemistry was scoring plenty of goals and winning games without them. However, of course they are better with both men in the line up.

I know it's brutal to watch right now Kings fans. They were looking ahead to playoffs, and now they need to look behind them to assure themselves a spot better than eighth, or a spot at all. 
Regardless of their recent play, I have a feeling this team will rise back up. There are plenty of leaders and veterans on this team and they've got a dangerous combination of experience and youth. The Kings are a force to reckoned with and will be something to look out for as the playoffs start in a few weeks.