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29
Apr 13

Best NHL photos of 2013

Selanne corner puck

Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) during the NHL regular season game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Ric Tapia/Icon SMI 269/Ric Tapia/Icon SMI/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: iconphotosthree470037

Hockey fans had to wait a lot longer for NHL games this year following another lockout, but once the players returned to the ice, the fans were quickly reminded why they wanted the game back so badly. In the 2013 shortened season the usual marathon run became a crazy sprint to the end with every team chasing Chicago who played half the season before losing a game in regulation. Continue reading →

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12
Jun 12

LA Kings Crowned 2012 Stanley Cup Champions

Brown celebrates with fans.

Los Angeles Kings Dustin Brown holds the Stanley Cup in front of fans after his team defeated the New Jersey Devils during Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final in Los Angeles, June 11, 2012. MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive299076

The Kings play in a city where they are often third on the sports priority list behind the Lakers and the Clippers and sports even take a back seat to movie stars, Justin Bieber and whatever it is the Kardashian family did that day. The Los Angeles Kings changed all of that, at least for a short time, after they defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to clinch the first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history.   Continue reading →

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31
May 12

Athlete in Focus: Ilya Kovalchuk

Finals Yell

New Jersey Devils Ilya Kovalchuk reacts after scoring a goal in the first Period against the New York Rangers in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 25, 2012. JOHN ANGELILLO/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo161868

Ilya Kovalchuk has had a NHL career that has been marked by a great deal of regular season success but playoff struggles. The third time has proven to be the charm for the Russian Winger as he now finds himself in the Stanley Cup Finals with the New Jersey Devils after spending 10 years working for this opportunity.

Kovalchuk started his professional career in his native Russia with HC Spartak Moscow of the Russian Super League but after two seasons decided to enter the NHL draft where he was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers first overall in the 2001 draft. Kovalchuk joined the Thrashers in the fall along with other top rookie Dany Heatley who was the team’s second overall pick the year before but played one more year of college hockey before moving to Atlanta. Heatley and Kovalchuk were both named as finalist for rookie of the year in 2002 with Heatley edging out his teammate to take home the Calder Memorial Trophy. Continue reading →

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30
May 12

Athletes in Focus: Drew Doughty

Doughty Lockerroom

Kings defender Drew Doughty in Toronto as L.A. prepares to face the Leafs. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawirewestphotosthree170331

At the age of 22 Drew Doughty is already an Olympic Gold Medalist and now he is looking to help backstop the Los Angeles Kings to the first Stanley Cup in team history. The Kings have gone from last to first in seven weeks with timely goals and solid defense led by Doughty. They will look to continue the run for one more series as they travel to New Jersey to face the Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals. Continue reading →

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15
May 12

NHL Conference Finals

Goaltender Spotlight

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday night for game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks. Kathleen Hinkel/Icon SMI CAG/Kathleen Hinkel/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree219809

The difference in the NHL playoffs often comes down to the goaltender – and this year’s final four are on top of their game racking up the first eight of the 16 wins needed to add their name to the greats on the Stanly Cup. In the conference final each team will face a familiar foe as the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils see a lot of each other in the Atlantic Division. In the west, Pacific Division rivals Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings will butt heads for a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. Continue reading →

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12
Apr 12

Athletes in Focus: Martin Brodeur

Pregame Focus

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. where the New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals, 5-0. Mark Goldman/Icon SMI 749/Mark Goldman/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree165644

Martin Brodeur doesn’t know why he chose to switch from forward to goaltender after his coach gave him the choice at the age of seven, but looking back he made the right decision. As a goaltender Brodeur has made his mark on the sport by not only recording the most games played, most shutouts, most regular season wins, scoring a game-winning goal but the NHL also added the “Brodeur Rule” following the lock out. As he nears the age of 40 he has continues to win. Continue reading →

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11
Apr 12

Athletes in Focus: Henrik and Daniel Sedin

Henrik Sedin

Vancouver Canucks FW Henrik Sedin (33) talks with brother and teammate FW Daniel Sedin. Matthew Manor/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumasportsworldtwo086437

Vancouver Canucks fans are hoping to have a pair of Swedish twins when they start the playoffs but it is not the Swedish twins most sports fans would think of. They are hoping for Henrik and Daniel Sedin who make up two thirds of their top scoring line. Daniel has been out since March 21 after getting an elbow to the head. He did practice during the off time but the team will not say if he is a go or not. Henrik is good, but it is not quite the same seeing only one Sedin on the ice. Continue reading →

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10
Apr 12

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012

Roll Out

Joe Louis Arena ice maintenance crew members lay down a decal for the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on the rink, after the Detroit Red Wings' final regular season home game with the Chicago Blackhawks, in Detroit. The Red Wings start the first round in Nashville verses the Predators. Tony Ding/Icon SMI 465/Tony Ding/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree205689

It took 1,230 games over seven months but 16 teams earned their spot in the final sprint towards Lord Stanley’s Cup which starts on Wednesday night. All the teams believe they have what it takes to earn the final 16 wins needed have their names engraved on the cup but only one can have the honor and get to spend the day with The Cup. Continue reading →