Game 52: Kings 4, Maple Leafs 3

The Kings head to Toronto for the first time since 2005, and a lot has changed since then. In that time frame, the Kings went from playoff contender in 2005 to hit rock bottom in 2008, notching the worst season in franchise history. But now find themselves back on the upswing, rebounding with a grip of draft picks that General Manager Dean Lombardi has turned into quality players.

The Maple Leafs are just now heading down that downward spiral, and it's almost painful to watch. Almost. Since Brian Burke is right in the middle of the Maple Leaf Meltdown, I have to smile.

Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for Toronto fans, they deserve much better. But the Leafs are among the first of the teams to be forced to deal with the reality of running a franchise successfully in this new era. And it's not going to get better anytime soon. They can't even hope for the first overall pick, as their 2010 selection belongs to Boston in exchange for Phil Kessel.

The Kings never trailed in the game, and kept the pressure on the Leafs all night. Heck, they even scored on the power play, snaping their 0-for27 slump. And as I watched the game online, I learned one thing: the Toronto media are in absolute love with Drew Doughty. Granted, he will be adorning the red and white for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, but come on.

Never mind Kings captain Dustin Brown getting the primary assists on all three Kings goals in the second. The guys in the studio and the guys in print couldn't help slobbering over Doughty, and awarded DD the first star of the game. Doughty certainly was one of the top three stars of the game, but it was Brown who played the best puck Tuesday night, as was awarded the second star. Not that it matters... at all.

During the current three game win streak, the Kings look to be back on track with all the main lines in sync with one another. They have played tough as nails, not allowing other teams to push them around. L.A. has outhit their last three opponents, 104-75, and have that grit and determination of never being out of the game.

As long as the Kings continue of this pace of two steps forward, one step back, I'm fine. They have really come together as a squad, rallying around one another, having each other's back and playing hard. As long as they keep showing that effort, the losses don't get me down, as they have in seasons past.

Next up is another cellar dweller in Columbus. Hopefully, the Kings aren't looking ahead to the back-to-back games this weekend against the Bruins and Devils. There would be no bigger buzz-kill to fly into Ohio and get clobbered by the Blue Jackets before heading to Bawston and Jersey. We need the points in the Western Conference a whole hell of a lot more than those wins in the East.

• AP: Brown leads Kings past Leafs 5-3

“(Brown) played fantastic for us tonight,” said Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who also had a goal and an assist. “That’s why he’s our captain, he’s our leader. When he’s playing his best, he leads the way and we all follow.”

• LATimes.com: Dustin Brown leads Kings to a big win

They also regained the presence of a formidable power forward when Dustin Brown, who has struggled offensively and too rarely displayed the assertive game that makes him so effective, set up all three goals the Kings got past Toronto goaltender Jonas Gustavsson during the second period.

• LAKings.com: King of the Castle

Ontario’s native son got the hero treatment Tuesday night after the Kings’ 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre, and rightfully so, as Doughty had a goal and an assist in an outstanding overall effort.

They said it

He gets some emotion into the game and, at the same time, can put the puck in the net or make a big play, like we saw here tonight. He’s well-deserving of the `A’ for Team USA.” – coach Terry Murray on Dustin Brown.

“Obviously it’s a huge two points for us. We got out of the first. We didn’t play a great period, but it was 1-1. It was one of those things where these two points are bigger than we’ve had at any other point of the year." – Dustin Brown, on his game.

“It was awesome. I was obviously really excited to play here in Toronto. I had lots of friends and family here watching the game. And to get that win, it’s really important for the team as well, so it was great to get that one.”– Drew Doughty, on winning in Toronto

Around the Kingdom

• The Royal Half: Toronto Gets the Shaft

The only thing more rare than the Los Angeles Kings playing in Toronto (this is the Kings’ first visit to Toronto since December 2005!) was Ryan Smyth scoring from 10 feet out in front of the goal.

• The Throne Room: Continuing Winning Ways on the Road in Toronto

Two points is two points, and all are important this time of year, but these aren’t exactly the Chicago Blackhawks the Kings were playing tonight either. Toronto has a few promising pieces but is having a long season. We Kings fans know the feeling.

• LAKingsNews.com: Maple Leafs are no match for Kings

The Leafs, from a purely textual view of the game, appeared to be in it late as they staved off 18 minutes of unrelenting cycling by the Kings in the 3rd period and came within 1 of tying off Niklas Hagman’s second pretty goal of the game. ... No matter. It was an illusion. The Leaf’s never stood a chance.

• HockeyBuzz's Matthew Barry: Kings Top Toronto 5-3

Just as the Molson’s were being sipped early in the second, Dustin Brown, circled the net before finding Jack “I’m not being traded to Detroit or Pittsburgh” Johnson for a wicked one timer and a 2-1 lead. Johnson did not receive a $212,500 bonus.

• MayorsManor: Reliving '93 - When Mullets Were Cool

(The Mayor does it again, writing about that epic Campbell Conference Finals that helped the Kings make it to their first Stanley Cup in 1993, and inspired Michael Myers to have the Kings/Leafs face off once again in The Love Guru.)
Gretzky has been quoted as saying that his performance in game 7 was the best NHL game of his career. For Kings fans it will certainly was.

Across the aisle, the Toronto viewpoint

• Canadian Press: Leafs trumped by Kings in front of restless home crowd

• Globe And Mail: Doughty will be 'elite,' Kings coach says

• The Toronto Sun: Doomsday scenario

• Toronto Star: Vultures circle fading Leafs

• Toronto Star: If only Leafs could draft the likes of L.A.'s Drew Doughty

• The National Post: All hail King Doughty

• TSN's Daniel Tolensky: Beyond the scoresheet: Leafs/Kings - A tale of two teams

Peeping the dailies