Game 65: Kings 4, Wild 3

The Kings did something unlike themselves Saturday against the Wild: they scored first. L.A. actually led twice in the game, only to allow Minnesota to tie the game each time.

But they kept at it, and through sheer determination, focus and desire, the Kings came out with a hard-fought victory over a team that is competing for that last playoff spot. L.A. is now 5 points out, and have started to show signs of life after tumbling down the standings in February.

Could the trading of Patrick O'Sullivan have been the catalyst for this modest two-game streak? Once identified as part of the Kings young "core," O'Sullivan's departure may have served as a wake-up call for a young team struggling to break through to the next level.

One of those players tagged as one of the touchstones of the Kings, Anze Kopitar, has a four-game scoring streak. Kopitar and O'Sullivan were linemates and locker neighbors. Back in 2006, I suggested that the Kings allow both players "to mature together and play at the same level." Well, it has been two seasons, and they did evolve... into similar players. Both had turned into playmakers, the pass-first, shoot-second type player that just doesn't work together well in hockey.

The Kings need that established scorer who is looking to pump the puck at opposing goaltenders. They'll get that with Justin Williams, when he returns in two weeks. Until then, the Kings need to be masters of their destiny, and do everything in their power to stay within striking distance of the playoffs.

And while Jonny Quick is playing solid, it might behoove Murray to start the re-upped Erik Ersberg in goal, to keep him ready. Quick's save percentage is slipping as the season progresses, and he might not be up for the brutal schedule ahead. But if he shoulders the load with Ersberg, it may pay dividends later. Granted, Quick's back-to-back wins are impressive, but it's the first time in a month that he's strung together consecutive wins. And if there's one thing the Kings need right now, it's a bunch of wins in a row. Vancouver comes into Staples on Monday, and it'll be another hard-fought battle. Perhaps now is the time to consider starting Ersberg over Quick, if for no other reason that to spell the 23-year-old for close to a week to recuperate before the Kings travel up to Vancouver.

• AP: Kopitar extends goal-scoring streak, leads Kings over Wild

Kopitar's attitude toward playing a solid two-way game is no different from the rest of the players, all of whom have bought into Murray's system and are doing more to help out goalies Jonathan Quick and Erik Ersberg.

• LA Times:  Finally, tenacity fit for the Kings

They've found a winning formula the last two games, stringing two victories together for the first time since Feb. 7-10. Although the outcome was the same, each time the scripts differed substantially.

• LAKings.com: Notes from the press box

"I think he’s had a pretty good year on the checking part of the game. I think that was a big change for Kopitar, whenever I come in to talk about responsibilities in our defensive zone away from the puck, he did a tremendous job on focusing on play below our goal line to help our defenseman out," Head coach Terry Murray said. "The offensive part was just a matter of time before it worked itself out."

• Yahoo: Team report

• The Kings made another mild line change on Saturday. Alexander Frolov dropped to the third line, alongside center Jarret Stoll and right winger Peter Harrold. On their second line, the Kings paired their most veteran center, Michal Handzus, with two rookie wingers, Oscar Moller and Wayne Simmonds.

They said it

“We need to focus on the details. We’re going to have to come out every night. We can’t take any nights off. We can’t give any teams easy wins. We have to play perfect hockey here. We showed that we can go on rolls, and it’s do-or-die for us now. You either show up or you don’t.”—Kyle Quincey

"When you have a little hot streak, it seems like the puck is always coming to you. Maybe they're looking for me a little more, or I'm just in the right spot at the right time. Hopefully I'm going to keep going like this and keep contributing." – Anze Kopitar

Looking through purple-hued goggles

• The Royal Half: Think Wild and win

At least the Kings now have a goaltender worth featuring in their ad campaigns. Think of all the failed ticket sales campaigns that the Kings have had from the past:

Storr Now for Savings!
The Cristo-bal shows great ticket savings!
The Playoff Checkmanek is in the Mail!
These Ticket Prices will make you LOLBarbera!

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• Examiner.com: A Wild and winning Saturday at Staples for the Kings

So this season, following the latest come-from-behind theatrics against the Stars (a.k.a. “The March Madness Miracle not at Manchester”?), the Kings made sure to keep the positive momentum moving forward with a quality 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center. Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Quick helped to put the ‘Q’ in quality with their play on Saturday.

• Inside Hockey: Kings still in it

Coach Terry Murray said after the 4-3 win Saturday afternoon against Minnesota that “the secret is, we’re shooting the puck. We’re working the seams, attacking the net. We’ve got great traffic in front of the net right now. We’re keeping it pretty simple. We’re not looking to pass the puck into the net, and I think that was part of the issue.”

• Battle of California: Kopitar's heating up

From across the aisle, the Minnesota view

• Star-Tribune: Bad day for Backstrom means no back-to-back

LOS ANGELES -- If the Wild misses the playoffs, its series with the Los Angeles Kings will be one giant reason why.

• Hitting the Post: Kings 4, Wild 3

"One step forward, baby, two steps back," was Paula Abdul's refrain from her mid-80' s hit, 'Opposites Attract'. The same could be said for the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon at STAPLES Center...

• Hockey Wilderness: Minnesota Wild @ Los Angeles Kings: The Morning After

Now, this should scare you because Los Angeles has enough good young talent that they are a team on the rise whereas the Wild are a declining. If there is no difference between the two teams right now, then they are two elevators passing, one on the way up, one on the way down.

• Russo's Rants: Foster makes unexpected debut; Burns late scratch

It’s always something with the Wild after a big win, and tonight for the first time, the Wild may have lost solely because of its goalie Niklas Backstrom, who was shakier than a 6.0 earthquake. Two softies surrendered in the first period, and Backstrom was finally chased 8:45 into the second period after Anze Kopitar gave the Kings a 3-2 lead.

• Deuce by Definition: Find a way

LA swept the season series, and outscored us something like 13-7. Gross.

• Wild Puck Banter: I'm melting!

None of the players would openly criticize their coach, but I bet they'll be relieved once he retires, ala the Wicked Witch of the West. Her monkey soldiers supported her through years of a staunch, strong regime, but even that grew tiresome to them. Once Dorothy had killed the Witch, the flying monkeys were ecstacic and went on to live a life free from her relentless controls. Lemaire is that witch and the Wild have become his flying monkeys. It's time for DR to melt Coach Lemaire and free the players from his defensive trappings. Yes, pun intended.

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